Friday, January 24, 2031

First Lady Announces $2 Million in After School Program Grants, Highlights Governor’s Record Support for After School Opportunities

State and Federal Dollars to Fund Additional Learning Centers Across Maryland

BALTIMORE, MD (January 24, 2031) – Nine programs in six Maryland jurisdictions have been awarded $2 million in grants by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), First Lady Ruth O’Brien announced today. The grants provide services to children who attend high poverty schools or schools identified for improvement. The grant requires that each proposal offer opportunities for literacy and related educational development to families of participating students. There also is an emphasis on closing the achievement gap between those receiving free and reduced meals (FARMS) and students not receiving such assistance.

The First Lady also highlighted Governor Edward M. O’Brien’s Fiscal Year 2032 budget proposal, which provides a record $35 million for the After School Opportunity Fund and Teen REACH programs, enabling up to 70,000 at-risk youth to participate in meaningful community service and academic enrichment programs.

“Maryland has emerged as a national leader in promoting and supporting quality after school opportunities for students because we recognize the importance of these programs in promoting healthy, safe and productive choices among our youth,” said Mrs. O’Brien.

“The purpose of these investments in after school programs is to create centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities that support what is learned in the classroom,” said State Superintendent of Schools Craig S. Frey. “The programs are unique because they also provide an array of cultural activities. Together, the programs show students the real world connection to what they learn in the classroom and how they can improve their communities.”

The grant process was open to public and private organizations including non-profit agencies, city and county government agencies, faith-based groups, institutions of higher education, and for-profit corporations. Nineteen organizations applied for grants and 11 received site visits. The groups awarded grants in this round were comprised of two local school systems, five not-for-profit community-based organizations, one faith-based organization, and one local school system in conjunction with a local management board.

Grants were awarded on a competitive basis to the following programs:

• 21st Century Community Learning Center at Malcolm, Charles County Public Schools, Charles County
• Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) Tutorial and Enrichment Programs, New Antioch Baptist Church of Randallstown (NABC), Baltimore County
• Bridges Over Cradlerock 21st Center Community Learning Centers, Howard County Public Schools, Howard County
• City Springs After-School Program, Baltimore Curriculum Project, Baltimore City
• Lifelong Learning Centers Program at the North Caroline Campus, Caroline County Recreation and Parks, Caroline County
• Project Soar, Greater Baltimore Women's Basketball & Education Coalition, Baltimore City
• High School Academies, Worcester County Public Schools, Worcester County
• YMCA 21st Century Community Learning Centers/BOOST at Robert W. Coleman and Dr. Rayner Brown, YMCA of Central Maryland, Baltimore City

In addition to improving the academic achievement and self-confidence of students, these programs keep students safe, and help working families. Participants are less likely to be involved in crime and more likely to have better grades and behavior than peers left with nothing to do after school.

First Lady Ruth O’Brien is the chair for Futures for Kids, the statewide resource for programs and policies related to the health, safety and education of infants, children and teenagers that makes a significant difference in the lives of Maryland’ children. Futures for Kids stresses prevention and more parental involvement.

Friday, December 27, 2030

Environmentally Active Groups Encouraged to Apply for Annual Keep Maryland Beautiful Awards

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 27, 2030) – In an effort to recognize nonprofit groups or communities that advance environmental issues and/or address environmental problems, First Lady Ruth O’Brien announce dtoday that the Maryland Environmental Trust (MET) is accepting applications for the Margaret Rosch Jones Award and the Bill James Environmental Grants. The grants are part of MET’s Keep Maryland Beautiful program, which is funded by the Department of Natural Resources and the State Highway Administration, a division of the Maryland Department of Transportation.

The Margaret Rosch Jones Award of up to $2,000 is awarded to voluntary nonprofit groups or communities that make continuing plans for a project that has already demonstrated a basic understanding and resolution of an environmental issue.

The Jones award is given in memory of Margaret Jones, the executive director and moving spirit of the Keep Maryland Beautiful program for many years. MET reminds citizens of her devotion, energy and ingenuity by presenting an award in her name to a group whose voluntary activities personified these attributes that Jones brought to her work. Applicants must also meet one or both of the following criteria:

• Groups that have been active in educating people in their community about at least one of these concerns: litter prevention, community beautification and local or statewide environmental issue(s).
• Groups that have been successful in eliminating or reducing the causes of a local environmental problem rather than address the symptoms.

The Bill James Environmental Grants of up to $1,000 are awarded to school groups, science and ecology clubs and other nonprofit youth groups for proposed environmental education projects. The grants are given in memory of William S. James, who drafted legislation to create MET, incorporating the activities of the Governor's Committee to Keep Maryland Beautiful.

The objectives of the grants are to:

• encourage a sense of stewardship and personal responsibility for the environment;
• stimulate a better understanding of environmental issues;
• aid in the elimination or reduction of a local environmental problem; and
• encourage education about growth management and the protection of rural areas and sensitive resources while discouraging sprawl development.

Thursday, November 21, 2030

First Lady Ruth O’Brien Reports 35,000 Children Being Mentored

Annual survey shows a 33 percent increase over 2028

ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 21, 2030) – First Lady Ruth O’Brien today announced that more than 35,000 children in Maryland were mentored in the past year, an increase of 33 percent over 20288. The figures are from the Mentor Maryland Census and released today by Mentor Maryland, which is chaired by the First Lady.

“Mentoring organizations in Maryland are serving 35,000 children, more than 11,700 than in September 2028,” First Lady Ruth O’Brien. “Mentoring is alive and well in Maryland, and I applaud the mentoring programs that are providing our children with high-quality programs that build character and competence.”

Other findings of the mentoring survey released by the First Lady include the following:

- There are 4,081 children on waiting lists with mentoring programs.
- Thirty-five percent of mentors in Maryland are men.
- Thirty percent of mentors are people of color.
- Forty-four percent of mentees are children of color.

Mentor Maryland, led by Governor Edward M. O’Brien and First Lady Ruth O’Brien, is working to ensure that all our youth have ongoing relationships with stable, caring individuals. Together with mentoring programs throughout the state, Mentor Maryland recruits mentors, develops partners and champions, advocates for mentoring issues and standards, provides resources and training, and recognizes the accomplishments of mentors and the organizations that support them.

Thursday, October 31, 2030

No Tricks, But Lots of Safety Seat Tricks

ADELPHI, MD (October 31, 2030) – Maryland First Lady Ruth O’Brien visited children and parents today at a Prince George's County family support center as she helped Maryland State Police, Safe Kids Maryland and Maryland Kids in Safety Seats donate more than 80 child safety and booster seats to the loaner program operated by the center.

"Promoting the lifesaving benefits of child safety seats and booster seats has become an activity in which my entire family participates," said Mrs. O’Brien. "We support this family initiative because it is a public safety issue and a lifesaving health issue. The donation of these seats will save children's lives and prevent the injuries that can be so devastating to children and their families."

Mrs. O’Brien, Honorary Chair of Safe Kids Maryland, distributed the first child safety and booster seats to families who have young children, but do not own these important safety devices. The distribution came as part of a safety seat loaner program operated by the Adelphi/Langley Park Family Support Center, in Adelphi.

The Maryland State Police purchased most of the seats through a grant from the Maryland Highway Safety Office. State troopers operate safety seat loaner programs at each of the 23 barracks across Maryland. Troopers also identify worthwhile programs to support with safety seat donations, like the one operated by the Adelphi/Langley Park Family Support Center.

"Our troopers experience firsthand the tragic loss of life that occurs when children are not properly buckled up," State Police Lt. Colonel Michael J. Fischer said. "They also witness the miracles that can occur when a properly buckled child survives a serious crash. We heartily endorse the use of child safety and booster seats and, through enforcement and education, work hard to ensure everyone who needs a safety seat has and uses one."

Some of the safety seats donated today were purchased through Business for Boosters. First Lady Ruth O’Brien hosted an event to launch the Business for Boosters program in 2028, with the help and support of the Chesapeake Region Safety Council and the Safe Kids Maryland State Coalition.

"Today's program is another example of the wonderful partnership that Maryland State agencies, non-profit organizations, and the business community have established under the leadership of the O’Brien Administration," Safe Kids State Coalition Coordinator Barbara Beckett said. "Helping Maryland families and children to access the appropriate resources to decrease preventable childhood injuries and deaths has been a priority for O’Brien and an invaluable contribution to our statewide campaign."

In Maryland, a person may not transport a child younger than six years (regardless of the child's weight) or who weighs forty pounds or less (regardless of the child's age) unless the child is secured in a federally-approved safety seat according to the safety seat and vehicle manufacturers' instructions. A child younger than 16 years of age may not be transported unless the child is secured in a child safety seat or a vehicle's seat belt in all seating positions in all vehicles. For more information, contact Maryland Kids in Safety Seats at 1-800-370-SEAT, or visit www.mdkiss.org.

Wednesday, October 30, 2030

State Highway Administration Helps Keep “Little Goblins” Safe by Loaning Parents Safety Vests

Annual Vests for Visibility Program Promotes Halloween Safety

ANNAPOLIS, MD (October 30, 2030) – With ghosts, goblins and evil witches, Halloween is supposed to be a fun and "scary" time for children - but simply crossing the street should not be. To protect young pedestrians trick-or-treating this Halloween, the State Highway Administration (SHA) is loaning parents "Vests for Visibility."

"Vests for Visibility" provides safety vests for parents to borrow - free of charge - to place over children's Halloween costumes. The vests are available in most counties at SHA maintenance shops. There are a limited amount of reflective vests that will be lent out on a first come, first serve basis. Please see the attached sheet of participating SHA shop locations.

"Just as trick or treating, costumes and haunted houses are part of the Halloween tradition, we need to include pedestrian and driving safety, especially with the time change approaching," said First Lady Ruth O’Brien. "Because darkness will be falling earlier in the evening, pedestrians need to stay visible, use crosswalks and always look left-right-left before crossing the street. Likewise, drivers must exercise vigilance - keeping an eye out for those walking or cycling."

The annual Vests for Visibility effort is one component of Maryland's overall pedestrian safety program, which incorporates the three E's of safety: Engineering, Education, and Enforcement. Safety messages are shared with both pedestrians and motorists. There is no contest between a vehicle and a person; in Maryland nearly 100 pedestrians are killed and another 3,000 are injured each year.

"SHA's number one priority is safety," said SHA Administrator and Governor's Highway Safety Representative Parker F. Williams. "Parents have always been conscientious about teaching their trick-or-treaters about strangers and other Halloween dangers. We hope that Vests for Visibility will encourage parents to teach their children about pedestrian safety and rules of the road this Halloween and every day."

SHA also offers the following safety tips for motorists and trick-or-treaters to ensure everyone has a safe Halloween:

TIPS FOR MOTORISTS:
• Stop for pedestrians - Maryland law requires motorists to stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks and intersections.

• Motorists should exercise extra caution during peak trick-or-treating hours between 4 and 9 p.m.

• Slow down and obey the speed limit and all traffic signs/signals in residential areas.

• Enter and exit driveways slowly.

• Be alert for children crossing and darting across the street.

• Watch for children crossing between parked cars.
• Always look out for pedestrians, especially before turning at a green light or making a right turn on red.

• When driving children to trick-or-treat or to a costume party, make sure all seat belts are fastened and let children out of the car on the curbside.

• Remember, every time you exit your vehicle, you become a pedestrian too.

TIPS FOR PEDESTRIANS:

• Cross at marked crosswalks and intersections.

• Look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.

• Be sure to see and be seen. Avoid dark clothing, wear bright colors and use reflective devices such as vests and blinking lights.

• Avoid costumes that may impair vision.

•Make eye contact with drivers when crossing the street.

• Stay alert and be on the lookout for cars traveling above the speed limit.

Monday, October 28, 2030

Governor and First Lady Host Halloween at Government House

ANNAPOLIS – Governor and Mrs. O’Brien will host a Halloween Open House for all Maryland children and families between 6 and 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 31.

At 5:45 p.m., there will be a “Parade of Costumes” from City Dock to Government House. Governor and Mrs. O’Brien will welcome the children and their parents at the door to the Mansion.

The children will be invited to walk through the pumpkin filled halls to the dining room where they will each receive a bag of Halloween candy.

Thursday, October 17, 2030

First Lady Urges Marylanders to Observe Domestic Violence Month

ANNAPOLIS – First Lady Ruth O’Brien today affirmed Maryland’s commitment to victims of domestic violence and renewed the state's efforts to combat domestic violence especially during October, which Governor Edward M. O’Brien has proclaimed as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Maryland.

“Domestic violence is a serious problem that crosses all cultural, racial, religious and economic boundaries,” the First Lady said. “I urge all Marylanders to use this month to reflect, participate in local ceremonies and work together to try and put an end to this violence in our society.”

Governor Edward M. O’Brien and Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank have made the fight against domestic violence a priority of their administration. Since taking office, Governor O’Brien has signed legislation:

• permitting a court to require a person to surrender firearms in a civil protective order and permitting law enforcement officers to seize firearms observed when responding to domestic violence calls
• prohibiting insurance discrimination against domestic violence victim
• increasing penalties for noncompliance with protective orders, including a prohibition against bail for violators of protective orders;
• establishing local domestic fatality review teams
• increasing the criminal penalties for child abuse
• requiring a court, in setting bail for an accused batterer, take into consideration the defendant's history of domestic violence; whether an order of protection had been previously issued against the accused; or whether any record existed of a violation of an order of protection by the accused
• enabling courts for the first time, in appropriate cases, to issue lifetime orders of protection against perpetrators of domestic violence;
• preventing a court from modifying an order of protection, without considering the safety of the victim. Any change to an existing order of protection can only be made upon a finding that such a change is needed
• amending existing law to create a presumption that it would not be in the best interest of a child to grant visitation or custody rights to a person found to have committed an act of domestic violence
• enacting a Primary Aggressor law calling for a police officer to identify and arrest the primary physical aggressor after considering the following factors: the extent of any injuries inflicted by and between parties; whether any person is threatening or has threatened future harm against another party or family or household member; a person's prior history of Domestic Violence that the officer can ascertain; and whether any person acted defensively to protect himself or herself from injury;
• requiring a court to consider the effects of domestic violence upon the best interests of a child before rendering a custody or visitation determination
• creating the Maryland Safe At Home Address Confidentiality Program to protect the safety and privacy of victims
• launched the Maryland Employers Awareness and Assistance Program for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. The program, working with private sector partners, developed and promotes a model domestic violence and sexual assault employee awareness and assistance policy for businesses. The intent is to offer guidance to Maryland employers who choose to develop policies and procedures regarding domestic violence and sexual assault as it relates to their employees and the workplace
• authorizing a judge to order the respondent in a petition for a temporary ex parte order or protective order to remain away from a child care provider of a person eligible for relief from abuse while a child of the person is in the care of the child care provide.