ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Governor Wes Moore announced new reforms to Maryland’s foster care system on March 18, 2026, following Board of Public Works approval of contracts that establish statewide standards for one-on-one care and expand licensed placement capacity. The changes aim to provide consistent, high-quality support for the state’s nearly 3,800 youth in foster care, particularly those with complex behavioral or health needs stemming from trauma.
The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) will implement uniform statewide standards for one-on-one care providers, ending a previous patchwork system where local departments handled referrals without direct DHS oversight. Providers must meet national best-practice requirements, including minimum age, CPR and first aid certification, medication management training, and crisis intervention skills. These standards apply to all youth in care who qualify for enhanced support, ensuring tailored, consistent services across jurisdictions.
Contracts with eight organizations will deliver one-on-one services statewide, with up to $115.6 million invested through November 2028 and a two-year renewal option. Oversight includes onsite reviews within 60 days by the Social Services Administration contract administrator, quarterly compliance checks, and mandatory 30-day reevaluations to continue services.
A separate set of contracts expands capacity by adding 37 beds in licensed group homes, offering safe, home-like environments with specialized staff supervision. This builds on 92 treatment foster care beds added in 2025 for family-based placements with trained resource parents. The placement expansion involves up to $743.9 million for 637 potential placements over three years. Providers receive reimbursement only for actual placements completed, and they cannot reject or dismiss referred youth—a key measure to address prior barriers.
“Every child in Maryland deserves to feel supported, to be safe, and to be provided with opportunities to realize their potential,” Moore said. “By establishing one statewide standard for one-on-one care and expanding placement options for young people, we are ending a patchwork approach, strengthening oversight across every jurisdiction, and building a system that is more compassionate, effective, and accountable to the kids we serve.”
Interim DHS Secretary Gloria Brown Burnett emphasized the personal standard driving the effort. “We have been working toward these milestones every day for the past two years,” she said. “Every child in our care deserves the same standard of care I would expect for my own children—whether that means a placement designed to meet their unique needs or a specially trained individualized caretaker.”
Dr. Alger Studstill, Executive Director of the Social Services Administration, highlighted the focus on youth with significant challenges. “Every child in our care deserves the support necessary to realize their full potential, regardless of their unique needs,” he said. “The reforms announced today advance this vision by expanding options to best serve young people with significant behavioral and health challenges.”
These steps build on prior Moore-Miller Administration actions, including a new rate structure for providers supporting complex cases, a 33% increase in kinship placement rates to keep more children with family, ending hotel stays for children, and reducing unnecessary hospital overstays by up to 65% in the past year.
The reforms address longstanding gaps in care consistency and placement availability, particularly for vulnerable youth requiring intensive support. They reflect ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability, expand options, and prioritize child well-being across Maryland, including Southern Maryland counties where foster care challenges affect local families and communities.