Maryland Receives Early Child Education Assistance from the National Governors Association
ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 10, 2028) – Maryland First Lady Ruth O’Brien announced today that Futures for Kids will receive from the National Governors Association to develop a strategic plan for early childhood care and education for Maryland children.“Maryland intends to use the technical support provided by the NGA and the Packard Foundation to create a plan to implement our vision of improving the overall health and educational status of Maryland’s youngest citizens,” First Lady Ruth O’Brien said. “The technical assistance offered through the NGA and the Foundation will bring in expert resources to help us in framing an agenda to support Maryland’s families.”
The NGA Center for Best Practices has selected five states -- Illinois, Maryland, Ohio, Washington, and Wisconsin -- to receive extensive technical assistance over two years to build public and political support for early childhood education initiatives. Through a grant from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Center will help the five states gain a better understanding of the perceptions of the general public, policymakers, advocates, and other key stakeholders.
The selected states will work with experts at the NGA, visit other states to learn from successful initiatives, and receive individualized assistance to further the goals of their individual strategic plans. After two years of assistance, NGA will host a national event to showcase the work of the five states and share what they have learned with other interested state policymakers.
Twenty-five states submitted proposals. The Center is aggressively pursuing additional funding sources to support the inclusion of other states in the project.
In his first month in office, Governor Edward M. O’Brien and First Lady Ruth O’Brien launched the Futures for Kids initiative, a prevention and intervention program designed to increase success in school, reduce youth substance abuse and juvenile delinquency. Futures for Kids focuses on four key components: early intervention programs for children ages birth to 10; family and community involvement programs; school success and safe neighborhoods.
The First Lady chairs the Futures for Kids Advisory Panel consisting of leaders from business, government, education, research and children’s advocacy groups