Foster Care in Maryland

Strengthening Communities Through Family Support

Since 2024, our Silver Spring office has served Maryland families—from the bustling District of Columbia suburbs to the surrounding counties.

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Maryland's Foster Care Landscape

Maryland's children and youth deserve safe and compassionate environments where they can heal and grow. With over 3,800 children and youth in out-of-home care in Maryland and one of the nation’s highest out-of-home care rates for older youth, the need for caring foster families remains significant throughout the state. Encouragingly, Maryland has seen positive changes in recent years, with the population of older youth experiencing foster care decreasing by 62% between 2006 and 2021, affirming its commitment to family preservation and improved outcomes.

Additionally, the need for culturally responsive foster parents in Maryland is critical. As of 2023, more than half of children and youth experiencing foster care identify as Black, making culturally responsive care essential to strengthening feelings of belonging and trust to support long-term stability. 

NYAP's approach to foster care emphasizes building connections between children and youth, their foster families, and their primary families whenever possible. Our philosophy centers on foster parents becoming mentors and natural supports for the families of the children and youth they serve, working toward the goal of family healing and reunification whenever possible.

Foster Care in Maryland

In Maryland, we provide a specialized foster care program to address unique needs:

Moderate Treatment Foster Care

Provides intensive, family-based care for Maryland children and youth with complex trauma, behavioral challenges, or medical needs. This program helps children and youth develop resilience and coping skills within supportive family settings rather than institutional environments.

Your Journey to Becoming a Maryland Foster Parent

Our Maryland team guides prospective foster parents through a comprehensive, supportive process:

Initial Contact
Connect with us to learn more about foster parenting

Information Session
Learn about Maryland's foster care system and NYAP's family-centered approach

Pre-Service Training
Develop essential skills through trauma-forward care education and family support strategies

Home Study Process
Work with our licensing team to complete Maryland’s foster licensing requirements

Maryland Licensing
Receive your Maryland foster care license within 45-60 days of initial contact

Welcome Your First Child or Youth
Begin your foster parenting journey with ongoing NYAP support

Our dedicated team provides personalized guidance throughout this process, ensuring you feel confident and well-prepared.

Maryland Foster Parent Requirements

Maryland foster parents share a commitment to providing safe, nurturing, temporary homes. NYAP welcomes applicants who meet the state’s requirements:

  • At least 21 years old

  • In good physical and mental health

  • Financially able to sustain their household without foster care payments

  • Able to provide a safe, welcoming living space for a youth's comfort and privacy

  • Willing to complete comprehensive background checks

  • Free from history with Child Protective Services

  • Able to pass health and fire safety inspections

  • Committed to pre-service training and ongoing education

  • Ready to collaborate with NYAP's multidisciplinary team, including educators, therapists, and medical professionals

Supporting Maryland Foster Families

Our Maryland team understands that effective foster care services require strong community support. Our team provides comprehensive assistance, including experienced case management, ongoing training and education, and connections to community resources throughout Maryland. We ensure you feel confident and prepared to open your heart and home.

Frequently Asked Questions About Foster Care in Maryland

  • Maryland has seen significant improvements, with the population of older foster care youth decreasing by 62% between 2006 and 2021. This positive trend reflects the state's effective focus on family preservation and improved support services, creating a more stable environment for children, youth, and families throughout the state.

  • Our Maryland team provides foster parents with comprehensive support, including ongoing, trauma-informed training, 24/7 assistance, and connections to community resources across the state. With these tools and funds to help cover the cost of care, we ensure our foster parents feel confident and prepared to support the children and youth in their home.

  • Maryland prioritizes keeping families together whenever safely possible. Our services in Maryland support this through our family engagement model, where foster parents serve as mentors and supports for primary families when possible, helping create positive relationships that benefit children and youth's long-term stability and wellbeing.

  • Maryland's foster care population reflects significant diversity, and NYAP’s team in Maryland actively seeks foster families from all backgrounds who can provide culturally responsive care. We provide training and support to help foster families unde

Join NYAP's Maryland foster care community and help provide stability, hope, and healing for children and youth who need the safety and support that compassionate foster parents can provide.

Apply Today