Governor O’Brien, First Lady Ruth O’Brien and Maryland Schools Superintendent Craig Frey Name Futures for Kids Advisory Panel and Award Grants Totaling $17 Million
ANNAPOLIS, MD (October 21, 2027) – Governor Edward M. O’Brien, Maryland First Lady Ruth O’Brien and Maryland Schools Superintendent Craig Frey today announced the formation of an advisory panel to work with the First Lady’s “Futures for Kids” initiative. Governor O’Brien and the First Lady made the announcement following a meeting of the Governor’s Executive Cabinet. Governor O’Brien announced an additional $4 million for the Teen REACH after-school program and $13.2 million for child care quality enhancement grants."Through Teen Reach, we can give youth today a chance to engage in wholesome activities, and offer them a better opportunity to succeed in life - a better "future for kids," said First Lady Ruth O’Brien "One of the many reasons that this program is so important is because the peak hours of juvenile crime occur between the after-school hours of 3 to 8:00 p.m."
“When Ruth and I launched Teen REACH, we made it clear that this administration would commit to better coordinating programs designed to save children from drugs and violence and help them and their parents,” said Governor Edward M. O’Brien. “We also committed to increase funding for programs and research to tap into the state’s experts for their leadership. Today’s Cabinet Meeting confirms that the Teen REACH initiative, and its counterparts, are making progress in refocusing our efforts to provide greater hope and opportunity for Maryland’s youth.”
"Futures for Kids" is an umbrella for programs and policies that make a significant difference in the lives of Maryland’s children. As part of this program, Teen REACH (Responsibility, Education, Achievement, Caring and Hope) increases academic success while reducing risk-taking behaviors such as substance abuse, criminal activities and premature sexual behavior. Services available through the Teen REACH program include academic assistance, recreation and sports, cultural and artistic activities, life skills education and employment skills training.
"When we initiated the Teen REACH program, we focused on children ages 10 to 17 years old because this is a critical time in a child's life -- the time when children start to make decisions that could potentially affect them for the rest of their lives," said Maryland Schools Superintendent Craig Frey. "We now recognize the fact that younger children can benefit from the services offered by this program as well. This $4 million will help to expand services to include children ages 6 through 9 years."
The Futures for Kids advisory panel will consist of leaders from business, government, and education research and children's advocacy groups.
"Today, some of the best and brightest and most concerned citizens will join us in developing the statewide agenda to help children grow up into healthy, responsible and successful adults,” said First Lady Ruth O’Brien. "I am heartened that we have attracted experts from every sector to help our children."
Governor O’Brien also announced funding of $13.2 million to improve the quality of the state's childcare program for low-income working parents. In addition under the enhanced quality childcare program, 330 childcare providers will receive quality enhancement grants.
"The grants, ranging from $20,000 to $60,000, will help child care programs educate and train their care givers, purchase equipment, upgrade literacy programs and improve programs for children and parents," Governor O’Brien said.
Child care funds are being awarded to licensed and license-exempt child care centers and networks of child care homes, Community Resource and Referral agencies and other non-profit entities involved with child care. The grants will improve quality for all children participating in funded childcare programs, regardless of income.
The role of the advisory panel will be to audit existing state government programs such as Teen REACH and the quality enhancement programs to ensure they are being effective and efficient.