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Read an Overview of the Strengthening Rural Families Initiative
See the results of 2007-08 Rural Families Initiative.
See the results of 2006-2007 Rural Families Initiative.
Items below are provided for reference only.
2006-07 Call for Proposals (PDF)
Presentation slides from May 15, 2006 Grant Writing workshop
2006-07 Grant Application (Word Document)
Strengthening the Well-being of Rural Maryland Families
An Initiative of the RMC with funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation
During the first year of this initiative, five family strengthening programs in community-based organizations serving rural families across Maryland provided:
- Child cognitive development screenings, immunizations, and child care for 52 families;
- Transportation to and from parent education courses for 39 parents;
- Developmentally appropriate parent-child activities and events for 48 families;
- Training in infant mental health for 41 family service workers and parents;
- In-home mental health services for 12 at-risk families with children ages 2-5;
- A bi-monthly support group, health family screening, referral to in-home support services, links to educational services, and assistance in accessing Maryland Children’s Health Care for 33 pregnant or parenting teens;
- A 10-week life skills training course for 15 families, which included the role of parents in schools, fire safety and emergency services, accessing social services, dining etiquette, programs for seniors and individuals with disabilities, and preventative health care; and
- Training in advocacy and navigating service systems for 12 families affected by mental illness.
The five programs which achieved these results are:
- Carroll County Family Support Center at the Human Services Program of Carroll County
- Charles County Infant Mental Health Project at the Center for Children
- Dorchester County Health Department Pregnant/Parenting Teens Program
- Harford Community Action Agency Highland Friends program
- Wicomico Partnership for Families and Children Family Advocacy program
All of these organizations continue to search for funding to sustain their programs. Several project directors have integrated the services provided during this grants program into other community service organizations in order to continue some services at a reduced level.
Family Support Center at the Human Services Program of Carroll County, Inc.
Phone: 410-857-0629 ext: 3044
Fax: 410-857-9202
The program provided child development screening assessments and assistance with childcare and transportation for at-risk families. Activities featured parents as partners in facilitating healthy development. Specific accomplishments include the following.
- Child Development Screening. During the six month grant period, 52 children received child development screening and services. Of those, 50 were up-to-date on immunizations, 47 participated in parent and child activities, 42 participated in early literacy events, and 48 were screened for developmental delays.
- Child Care. The licensed child-care provision of this proposal was unexpectedly closed by the state; however, sx families per week were provided child-care subsidies and 67% of previously served families continue to engage in other support activities in the organization.
- Transportation and Family Support Services. 84 families received family support services and 39 took advantage of transportation services to the center. Other organizations who worked with families in the program included: Carroll County Health Department, Granite House for mental health services, Emergency Assistance Program, Energy Assistance program, homeless and domestic violence shelter, Food Stamps, and WIC.
Next steps for this program include additional funds for an adult educator to increase their number of hours per week at the center to continue GED courses for parents. Efforts are currently underway to identify funding sources and solicit additional funds to supplement program activities.
Infant Mental Health Project at the Center for Children, LaPlata (Charles County)
Phone: 301-392-9332 ext. 105
During the six month grant period, an expert in the area of infant mental health provided training to more than 40 family service providers and at-risk parents. Pre- and post-test scores indicate an improvement in knowledge about infant mental health among program participants. A new position was created so that an Infant Mental Health Specialist could provide in-home services to families and an infant mental health program has been incorporated into the outpatient clinic and Healthy Families Charles County. Currently 12 families receive in-home services.
Next steps for this program include securing approval so that future in-home services are reimbursed through private insurance plans as well as medical assistance, and securing other grant funds for continued expansion of the in-home services component. The family service workers who have been trained through this initiative are better prepared to assist parents in promoting mental health for their children on an ongoing basis.
Pregnant/Parenting Teens Program at the Dorchester County Health Department
Phone: 410-901-2388
Fax: 410-901-2385
A Teen Pregnancy Coordinator helped 33 pregnant teens and new mothers obtain the school services they needed to stay on track academically, cover themselves or their infants under Maryland Children’s Health Insurance, and receive screenings for other support services. All of the pregnant girls received a Home/Hospital teaching form before they delivered. That form was forwarded to Board of Education for tutor assignment after delivery. Participants did well academically in the two terms covered during the grant period, and none of them failed. Excessive absenteeism was an issue for five of the 33 girls prior to pregnancy. Three of them dropped out of school with parental consent (one later enrolled in a General Education Diploma program). The other two remained in school and have consistently provided documentation for their absences.
As a result of this program, twenty positive Healthy Families Screens were completed, and thirteen were enrolled in the Healthy Families program and are receiving weekly home visits from a Family Support Worker. All teens applied for, and received, Maryland Children’s Health Insurance.
A total of 24 bi-monthly support groups were held at each of two high schools. The groups were such a huge success with the teens at the two schools that the students have volunteered to continue meeting without the free food incentives provided by this grant. One will meet without and the other will take turns to each bring food for the group.
Next steps for this program include pursuing funds to expand the support services to include teenage fathers still in high school.
Harford Community Action Agency Highland Friends Program
33 West Courtland Street, Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: 410-638-3240 or 3241
Fax: 410-893-8937
In six months, 15 families received exposure to a variety of community services and professionals. Participating families attended 10 sessions during site visits in the community or professionals coming to group meetings. These sessions addressed:
- The role of parents in schools and how parents can get involved in their child’s education;
- Fire safety and emergency services, where participants were given a smoke detector;
- How to access social services, where participants were given necessary forms in an organized file folder;
- Dining etiquette, where participants practiced skills during a private lunch at a fancy restaurant;
- Procedures for buying a home and options for first-time home buyers;
- Programs available for seniors and the disabled, which included a visit to a senior center;
- Preventative health care and free health services in the community, where participants were each given a first-aid kit.
Next steps include a search for funds to continue and expand this program.
Wicomico Partnership for Families and Children Family Advocacy program
540 Riverside Dr., Suite 13, Salisbury, MD 21803
Phone: 410-546-5400
Fax: 410-546-3206
The Wicomico Partnership made significant progress toward the Family Advocacy program objectives. Twelve (of a projected 15) families completed a four-day training on advocacy and navigating mental health and other service systems in Maryland provided by the Family Leadership Institute of the Maryland Coalition for Children’s Mental Health. An 80% completion rate is remarkable given the multiple and complex stresses facing families affected by severe mental illness. The Partnership provided overnight accommodations, meals, and child-care services to decrease many of the barriers of participation. Unstructured meal times allowed for networking, support, and community-building with other family members. A graduation ceremony celebrated completion of the training program. All participants rated their training experience as good or terrific, and most demonstrated improved feelings of empowerment after the training
Next steps for this program include continued opportunities for families who have completed the Family Leadership Institute. Already, three families participated in the Maryland Coalition for Children’s Mental Health Day in Annapolis and spoke with legislators. Four family participants are active members of the “Family Partnership Coalition”, coordinated by the Wicomico Partnership. One family member was hired by the Partnership as a Family Truancy Reduction Coordinator and is now enrolled to further her education. Trained families will continue to be invited to participate in additional training and advocacy activities through the Partnership and the Lower Eastern Shore.