Family Matters

​​​​​​​​​​330 More Children in Out-of-Home Care Living With Family Members than in September 2024 – a 33% Increase in Kin Placement Rate

The Challenge

​Emerging adults who “age out” of out-of-home care – exiting state care (commonly known as foster care) without a permanent family – are more likely to experience greater housing insecurity, unemployment, and substance use challenges. Furthermore, children in out-of-home care are likely to lose touch with their families and lack connections to supportive adults. Based on a landscape analysis conducted by the Annie E. Casey Foundation for the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), in 2021, 36% of emerging adults aged out of care nationally, but in Maryland the number was 64%.

Our Solution

Maryland is taking a kin-first approach that ensures children maintain connections to family, community, and culture by prioritizing out-of-home placement with family by blood or by choice. Research demonstrates that children who live with kin experience improved well-being and greater stability, reduced trauma, and have a higher likelihood of permanency. In 2024, Maryland passed a law to prioritize kinship caregiving.

In the months after the law took effect on October 1, 2024, DHS launched “Family Matters” to promote kin-first practices across the State. As part of this change, the agency updated its policies and offered new kinship training to over 1,500 staff members across the state, including Local Department leadership and frontline child welfare workers and supervisors across child protection, out-of-home care, and family preservation services. The agency also launched two cohorts of Local Departments of Social Services to pilot interventions that enhance permanent family connections for older youth and strengthen kinship placements for youth in care: an Emerging Adults cohort of three jurisdictions (Baltimore County, Harford County, and Allegany County) and a kin-first cohort of five jurisdictions (Baltimore City, Washington County, Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County & Harford County). DHS’ collaboration with Annie E. Casey Foundation has further helped integrate national best practices into a kin first approach to child welfare in Maryland.

In addition, DHS conducted workshops for attorneys and judges on the new kinship law. The department also initiated data reviews, reallocated team members to prioritize kin placements, and engaged families early in the placement process. Finally, the department also streamlined kin-specific licensing to grow the number of kin caregivers and expand access to financial support—ensuring poverty is not a barrier to maintaining connections.

Results of Our Work

Promoting a holistic, kin-first culture has already increased kinship placements, creating momentum to lower the prevalence of aging out. As of December 2025, the number of youth living with kin has increased by more than 330 compared to before the law took effect and before DHS launched Family Matters. The kinship placement rate has increased by 33% over that time period.

Chart showing percentage of youth in out-of-home care placed with kin​
As of December 2025, the number of youth living with kin has increased by more than 330 compared to before the law took effect.

The statewide rise in kinship placements coincides with a major success in licensing kinship caregivers and them providing critical financial support. The percentage of kinship caregivers who are officially licensed by the state has soared ​from as low as 25% in December 2024 to 86% as of December 2025. This increase ensures distribution of critical financial assistance, as kin caregivers are eligible for over double the monthly financial support if they are licensed.

The department remains committed to using data and evidence-based strategies to keep family as the first choice for every child in out-of-home care.

Chart showing percentage of kin caregivers who are licensed