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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Nov 27, 2022
The absolute Worst they say you missed a phone interview when you know you didn’t because your phone didn’t ring smh . Anyway every time I call I get someone who’s either playing a video game , vacuuming, sounds like they have been drinking or doing something else . I give them my Case number not my social lol . I haven’t had benefits since April. They need new management because these people they hire are getting paid to do absolutely NOTHING! . And is most definitely in their WORK PROGRAM SO YOU KNOW WHO THEY ARE lol . I have 6 applications stilling Pending .Just Ridiculous going in is the same at this point I have been in at least 7 times in 2weeks still Nothing.
Nov 25, 2022
My food stamps was cut off randomly with no letter or email. I have submitted my application to reopen my case twice now. They lost my paperwork and kept telling me it’s still processing. After the 30 days were up they tell me I have to do it all over again and they don’t know what happen. While I am waiting for my current application to process I receive a email saying I miss my appointment. I never received a letter or email about an appointment. I contact their customer service and he kept being rude to me for something they should’ve told me. I make an appointment with them the next day. Nobody never calls me to the phone interview.They need to stop hiring people to work from home. They are too unprofessional and straight trifling SMH.
Nov 22, 2022
They NEVER call you back ! I’ve been “waiting’ in line via phone to talk to someone for hours ! I called at 1:30 & it’s now 5:16 and I’m still getting the same voice message. They don’t even clear the lines when they close so you know they are closed ! I’ve asked for call backs and they don’t call back. They are set up for failure the way they have this system set up .
Nov 17, 2022
I hate falling on hard times and having to deal with DHS or any government agency that is supposed to help citizens. Between some of the rude staff, false phone interviews for benefits, no one answering emails or even the phone. Even when you've summitted everything, they find a way to overlook what you sent in or claim they didn't receive it. It's such a headache and depressing.
Nov 15, 2022
If I could give them a zero I would when people are at there lowest, DHS would completely throw you to the side and not answer your calls and be rude, and send out letters saying you missed a interview way after a date they would give, and then send another letter stating your case was closed way after another date that was given, they lack of service never in my life, MD unemployment and DHS is the worst and need to be ran by better people that really care bout the people, because it’s people out here hurting…