Maryland Department of Human Services
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Contact Information
310 West Saratoga Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
United States
Online Contact Form
Baltimore, MD 21201
United States
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8:30 AM-5 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:30 AM-5 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:30 AM-5 PM |
| Thursday | 8:30 AM-5 PM |
| Friday | 8:30 AM-5 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
There are many Maryland children waiting to be part of a family. Some of the children have special educational, emotional, or medical needs; this information is confidential and does not appear in the children's descriptions. More detailed information about the children can be shared with adoptive parents as they are completing the adoption preparation process.
Foster Care is a temporary Service that provides short-term care and supportive services to children who are unable to live at home because of child abuse or neglect. Foster children live in family foster homes and group care settings.
All Maryland counties and Baltimore City operate foster care programs. Foster care caseworkers work with the birth and foster families to develop the most appropriate permanency plan for each child. Reunification with parents, placement with relatives, or adoption are examples of permanency plans. If for some reason a child cannot reunite with their family, the child, depending on their age, receive services that teach them to be independent young adults.
Services and information
- Traditional Foster Care
- Emergency Foster Care
- Respite Foster Care
- Adoption
Requirements to become a foster parent
Understanding the licensing requirements is the first step, as they vary by state. In Maryland, potential foster parents must meet the following criteria:
- 21 years of age or older
- Live in a safe home, either a house or an apartment
- Undergo a criminal background check and fingerprinting
- Remain financially stable
- Able to support a child financially
- Undergo a medical examination
- Attend a medical reexamination every two years
- Provide three references
- Attend necessary parent training/education courses
- A minimum of two home visits by an approval worker
- Child support clearance
- No use of physical punishment allowed
- Receive a fire inspection and health clearance from local departments
The foster care agency you work with will help you to meet these qualifications. They answer your questions, provide parent education training, conduct home visits, and more. As such, they'll be your first point of contact as you prepare for your first placement.
Remember that it will take time to go through the approval process. The home study takes the longest, consisting of lots of paperwork, interviews, inspections, etc. However, you'll be a licensed foster parent in Maryland when it's over.
Ratings and Reviews
Average user rating
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Oct 22, 2021
I cant give a zero star but that is all they deserve. Period. Dont answer the phone if they do they hang up on you. And you still dont get no service. Just Trifling!
Oct 06, 2021
I have been trying to speak to someone for, now, three days. I called at 8:58 this morning, they open at 9. Explain to me why I was given a 31 minute wait estimate when they just opened? Is only one person answering the phones? Then, after being on hold for two hours my wait time estimate has just been updated to 95 minutes. There's no point in using the callback feature that supposedly saves your place in line and gives you a call back - I did that the last two days and received no phone call. It's a good thing I'm not in super urgent need of help. Good luck to those who are!
Sep 29, 2021
Why is it taking so long to receive the p ebt card. My address was correct. Please assist.
Sep 23, 2021
If I could give a lower score I would. RUDE and a disappointing.
Sep 19, 2021
Okay, I don't have children but my phone number is listed as having child support. I have no clue on how, or whom to contact and the hold times are insane. I think that hold is about is to get us to come into a building. Keep in mind this just for the phone calls.
Now, when you go into a DHSs building staff is friendly and very accommodating.The information they give is on point. The phones do ring constantly. Take into consideration these are deciding factors in slow phone service. I am about to show up at my local office.