who we are

Maryland Family Network is a statewide nonprofit organization based in Baltimore, MD. Our mission is to ensure very young children have strong families, quality early learning environments, and champions for their interests. 

what we do

ensuring children have strong families 

Maryland Family Network’s Patty Centers help children learn and parents earn. Our Family Support Centers help over 3,000 parents a year finish their education, learn job readiness skills, build solid social networks, and improve their parenting skills. At the same time as their parents, very young children are in a state-of-the-art early care and education setting that helps them reach their greatest potential. 

quality early learning environments 

Maryland Family Network’s LOCATE: Child Care helps families recognize quality care and find child care that meets their needs. We also provide training and capacity building support to over 25,000 child care professionals annually who are licensed to provide care for over 200,000 children. Through our Child Care Resource Network, we make sure these professionals tend not only to the health and safety needs of young children, but also to their social, emotional, and cognitive development. 

a champion for their interests 

Through our strong advocacy and public policy presence, Maryland Family Network leads the charge for very young children and all those concerned with their well-being at the local, state and federal levels. Polls show that American voters want greater public investment in the quality and availability of early care and education. Overwhelming research proves that such investments greatly benefit a child’s future, and government’s bottom line. For every $1 of investment in early care and education, up to $7 is returned in savings.

our work matters

Neuroscience tells us that the early years are the foundation for everything that comes after. Economics has shown that investment in quality early care and education returns huge dividends to us all. Visit our resources page to find out exactly why the early years matter. 

learn more

  • Visit marylandfamilynetwork.org to learn more about our mission, programs, and upcoming events, and to get involved. 
  • Tune into WEAA 88.9 FM to listen to The First Five Years, a weekly radio program presented by Maryland Family Network. The series is focused on child development from birth to age five.

get involved

Your support will ensure all Maryland children have strong families, quality early learning environments, and a champion for their interests. Here are ways you can get involved and become a supporter.