Out-Of-Home Care

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In Maryland, there are approximately 3,800 children and teens in out-of-home care (or foster care). Out-of-home care is intended to be a short-term plan for children and youth until they can reunify with their parents, guardians, or other relatives. The local departments of Social Services make every effort to place children with kin – relatives or other individuals with whom the child or family has a connection. When kinship care is not possible, children and youth live with families who are not related to them. In Maryland, the dedicated families that open their hearts and homes to children in out-of-home-care are called “Resource Parents.”

Children in out-of-home care have experienced trauma and loss and they need love, patience, and stability until they can reunify with their families. Resource parents play a critical role in the reunification process by supporting the child’s relationship with their parents, while they make the necessary changes for their children to safely return home. When children see their caregivers working as a team, it increases feelings of safety, reduces the trauma of being separated from their families, and helps them navigate the significant changes in their lives. Many children in out-of-home care maintain life-long connections with their families even if they cannot reunify with them. When reunification is not possible, resource parents may choose to adopt or become a guardian while continuing to support the relationship with birth families.

Frequrently Asked Questions for Prospective Resource Parents

Connecting With Your Local Department of Social Services

Typically, resource parents are licensed by the Department of Social Services in the jurisdiction in which they reside.

County/City Contact Info Connections

Allegany

301-784-7158
allegany.resourcehome@maryland.gov

Anne Arundel

410-897-3950
annearundel.fostercare@maryland.gov

Baltimore City

410-685-8231
bmorefostercare.com

Baltimore

410-853-3188
fosteradopt@baltimorecountymd.gov

Calvert

443-975-9806
calvert.resourcehomes@maryland.gov

Caroline

667-203-0136
midshore.resourceparents@maryland.gov

Carroll

443-821-4751
be.theirvillage@maryland.gov

Cecil

410-996-0349
jeanne.hill@maryland.gov

Charles

301-392-6727
jenna.davis2@maryland.gov

Dorchester

667-203-0136
midshore.resourceparents@maryland.gov

Frederick

301-600-2466
Foster.careinfo@maryland.gov

Garrett

301-533-3068
stacey.weimer@maryland.gov

Harford

410-836-4790
Alison.jourdain@maryland.gov

Howard

410-872-8839
markeita.matthews@maryland.gov

Kent

667-203-0136
midshore.resourceparents@maryland.gov

Montgomery

240-777-1664
fprecruiter@montgomerycountymd.gov

Prince George’s

(301) 909-2300
lisa.robertson@maryland.gov

Queen Anne’s

667-203-0136
midshore.resourceparents@maryland.gov

St. Mary’s

301-392-6727
Linda.Linn@maryland.gov

Somerset

410-207-5419
Kassidy.spencer@maryland.gov

Talbot County

667-203-0136
midshore.resourceparents@maryland.gov

Washington

240-420-2229
Foster.Love@maryland.gov

Wicomico

410-207-5419
Kassidy.spencer@maryland.gov

Worcester County Department of Social Services

410-207-5419
Kassidy.spencer@maryland.gov