The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) has partnered with Binti, a child welfare technology company, to deploy advanced “family finding” software that accelerates the location of relatives and trusted adults for children in foster care.
DHS announced the statewide partnership February 11, 2026, in Baltimore, Maryland. The technology, launched in Maryland in September 2025, enables caseworkers to query multiple databases rapidly, replacing manual searches that once took days or weeks. Secretary Rafael López emphasized the focus on family connections: “We remain steadfast in our goal to put family first, because every child deserves to live in a safe, permanent home surrounded by a loving family. This partnership will help us innovate to drive up kinship placements across Maryland by using cutting-edge technology.”
Since the September 2025 rollout, caseworkers completed more than 4,500 searches, identifying over 4,300 potential kin connections—including relatives and close family friends—for placement or support. Each search averages 26 connections per child, expanding networks and offering more informed, timely placement decisions.
This initiative builds on Maryland’s Kinship Law (effective October 1, 2024) and the DHS “Family Matters” philosophy promoting kin-first practices. As of December 2025, the kinship placement rate rose 33%, placing an additional 330 children with family compared to pre-law levels. Eleven jurisdictions doubled their rates, and Baltimore City—the largest in youth in care—saw an 18% increase. DHS reforms included policy updates, expanded training for over 1,500 staff, kin-specific licensing, and greater financial support access. Licensed kin caregivers jumped from 25% in December 2024 to 86% in December 2025.
Research supports kinship care’s benefits: improved well-being, reduced trauma, fewer placement disruptions, better permanency outcomes, and stronger family/community ties that serve as protective factors.
Felicia Curcuru, Binti’s CEO and founder, praised the collaboration: “Maryland has been an incredible partner, and the early momentum we’re seeing reflects their deep commitment to delivering the best outcomes for children in care.”
The partnership aligns with broader state efforts under Governor Wes Moore’s administration to prioritize kinship over non-relative foster care when safe and appropriate. It addresses challenges in out-of-home care by leveraging technology for consistent, efficient family finding statewide. While the announcement applies across Maryland, its impact reaches Southern Maryland counties—Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s—where local Departments of Social Services handle child welfare cases, potentially improving outcomes for regional youth in care through faster kin identification and placement.
The software contract was approved by the Board of Public Works on July 16, 2025, as part of ongoing reforms. This tech-driven approach complements policy shifts and training to sustain kinship momentum, ensuring more children maintain lifelong family bonds.