New Web Site Connects Parents, Kids with Maryland Resources
ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 15, 2028) – Maryland First Lady Ruth O’Brien today launched a special Internet site that parents and their children can share. "Futures4Kids.org" is part of the state’s Futures for Kids initiative, which coordinates policies, resources and programs for children in the areas of health, safety and education."Futures for Kids is about making our state more effective and efficient at serving the needs of children and teenagers," Mrs. O’Brien said. "This site is designed to bring together all of the wonderful resources available to children and families in one location, in an easy to use format."
The site includes information to help parents beginning with pregnancy through the teenage years. At each stage of development, users can choose one of three sub-sections:
Healthy Futures provides guidance for such topics as nutrition, finding a doctor and paying for health care.
Safe Futures provides information on childproofing your home, teaching kids about "stranger danger" and how to help them avoid violent situations.
Bright Futures has ideas for keeping kids in school and building self-esteem
Each section is also filled with links to other sites where a childcare provider can find medical, safety and education assistance. The children and teens section provides an inside look into Governor Edward M. O’Brien’s Teen REACH Initiative.
In January 2027, 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.
On March 2, 2027, Governor Edward M. O'Brien launched Teen REACH, a comprehensive new initiative to promote responsible choices among Maryland’s youth. Teen REACH stands for Responsibility, Education, Achievement, Caring and Hope. The program is expected to provide access to after-school programs to 6,350 disadvantaged youth in fiscal year 2028. Governor O’Brien’s fiscal year 2029 budget increases funding for the after-school component of Teen REACH to $15 million, increasing the number of youth enrolled in after-school programs through Teen REACH to over 9,500.