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
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Aug 04, 2021
I was very disturbed by the fact that I was denied for benefits with having two children under the age of five during the pandemic I applied for benefits and I was denied!!!!! After being on the phone for several hours just to talk to someone and being out of work trying to figure out how to feed both of my children while waiting for an appointment to start and very upset at the fact that They were men that was receiving benefits they had no children and here I am with two little ones under the age of five and being told that I don’t qualify for the benefits with no explanation as to why. But this is the system that that say there will be no hungry children
Jul 28, 2021
Just horrible, called to see if I am speak to a representative and haven't heard anything, really not surprised, just wanted to add my experience.
Jul 20, 2021
I had a court order i have all my documents my child spport payments were supposed to end in 2013 they kept deducting monies from my check until april of 2021,I called went in person they keep giving me the runaround they took over $12,000 of overpayments ive sent emails no response,someone didn't do their job right and i refuse to pay for their mistakes. I know they hope I give up but I will keep fighting for my money that the actually stole from me.
Jul 07, 2021
Have attempted on MANY occasions to add my 9 year old daughter to my SNAP but to no avail. These people are LAZY and will NOT help NO MATTER what!!!
Jun 21, 2021
Trying to reach someone at DHS is a full-time job. Just when you think you finally get connected to a real person they hang up you. It's madness! Stay patient. Don't let them drive you insane.