GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY HONORS LOCAL DEPARTMENTS OF SOCIAL SERVICES FOR PROGRESS IN CHILD WELFARE

Nine local departments receive accolades for exceeding child welfare standards


ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley today honored directors of nine local departments of social services for progress they have made in reforming Maryland’s child welfare system. Governor O’Malley honored directors and staff from Allegany County; Baltimore County; Carroll County; Charles County; Queen Anne’s County; Washington County; Wicomico County; and Worcester County. Last month, Secretary Donald named Baltimore City Department of Social Services the outstanding local department of the year for making impressive strides in reforming child welfare practices.

“Nothing is more important to a child than having a place to call home. I want to thank the directors here today for the work that they do in reforming Maryland’s child welfare system,” said Governor O’Malley. “Since the launch of the Place Matters initiative, we’ve been able to reduce the number of kids placed in group homes by nearly 39% while decreasing the number of children in foster care by 15%. Working together with our local partners, we are putting our children first, ensuring that they receive access to the services they need and the care they deserve.”

“Two and a half years ago, we launched our Place Matters initiative to reform child welfare in Maryland by focusing on finding permanent families for foster children,” said Secretary Donald. “Today, we can take collective pride in the impressive progress we’ve made thus far.”

Local departments were grouped in categories of small, medium and large jurisdictions based on their respective number of foster children.

Award: Reducing the number of children in foster care

Presented to jurisdictions that exceeded the state’s goal of reducing the number of children in foster care by the largest percentage in fiscal year 2009.

Large-sized Jurisdiction Winner: Baltimore County Department of Social Services reduced its number of children in foster care by 13 percent.

Medium-sized Jurisdiction Winner: Wicomico County Department of Social Services reduced its number of children in foster care by 29 percent.

Small-sized Jurisdiction Winner: Carroll County Department of Social Services reduced its number of children in foster care by 25 percent.

Award: Increasing the number of children reunified within 12 months

Presented to jurisdictions that exceeded the state’s goal to increase the number of children reunified with their families in less than 12 months by the largest percentage.

Large-sized Jurisdiction Winner: Baltimore City Department of Social Services increased family reunifications by 22 percent.

Medium-sized Jurisdiction Winner: Charles County Department of Social Services increased family reunifications by 75 percent.

Small-sized Jurisdiction Winner: Queen Anne’s County Department of Social Services increased family reunifications by 67 percent.

Award: Meeting fiscal year 2009 adoption goals

Presented to jurisdictions that exceeded their adoption goal for fiscal year 2009 by the highest amount.

Large-sized Jurisdiction Winner: Baltimore County Department of Social Services helped 73 children find permanent families through adoption.

Medium-sized Jurisdiction Winner: Washington County Department of Social Services helped 34 children find permanent families through adoption.

Small-sized Jurisdiction Winner: Carroll County Department of Social Services helped six children find permanent families through adoption.

Award: Reducing the number of children in group homes

Presented to jurisdictions that realized the highest percentage reduction in the number of children they place in group homes from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009.

Large-sized Jurisdiction Winner: Baltimore City Department of Social Services reduced the number of children placed in group homes by 32 percent.

Medium-sized Jurisdiction Winner: Washington County Department of Social Services reduced the number of children placed in group homes by 33 percent.

Small-sized Jurisdiction Winner: Worcester County Department of Social Services reduced the number of children placed in group homes by 63 percent.

Award: Increasing the number of children in family settings

Presented to jurisdictions that exceeded the statewide average of placing 73 percent of children in family settings by the largest percentage.

Large-sized Jurisdiction Winner: Baltimore City Department of Social Services placed 79 percent of its children in family settings.

Medium-sized Jurisdiction Winner: Allegany County Department of Social Services placed 86 percent of its children in family settings.

Small-sized Jurisdiction Winner: Worcester County Department of Social Services placed 85 percent of its children in family settings.