Issuu

Q U A R T E R L Y N E W S L E T T E R

IN THIS ISSUE:

Baltimore HIPPY Taps Parent Experience for Home Visitor Strategy

Reimagining Family Recovery in America’s Opioid Crisis

Building Stronger Youth Development Systems

Securing Housing Stability

A Path Forward for Baltimore Families

BY MELISSA MOORE, FAMIILY LEAGUE SR. DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY IMPACT

Stable housing creates the foundation families need to thrive. As our recently completed evaluation of Family League's Home Visiting Housing Support Program (HSP) demonstrates, providing targeted financial support alongside comprehensive services can transform lives and strengthen entire communities.

Evidence of Program Success

Over the past three years, we've witnessed firsthand how monthly housing stipends, combined with the comprehensive, evidence-based programming offered by home visiting partners, have created pathways to stability for hundreds of Baltimore families. The evaluation, conducted by Amaka Consulting and Evaluation Services, analyzed feedback from 380 program participants and revealed compelling outcomes that reinforce our community impact strategy.

What makes these findings particularly meaningful is the overwhelmingly positive response from participating families. An impressive 92% of participants reported that the housing support improved their family's ability to function, with two-thirds strongly endorsing this impact. These numbers tell a powerful story of transformation, but the real impact goes far beyond statistics.

Strategic Partnerships Expand Community Reach

Through our network of four dedicated home visiting partners DRUM Healthy Families (DRUM), The Family Tree, HOPE Project of Roberta's House, and Healthy Families at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore we've been able to reach diverse communities across the city. Each partner brings unique strengths to the program: DRUM serves approximately 200 families annually as Maryland's largest Healthy Families

America program; The Family Tree provides specialized support to Spanish-speaking pregnant individuals; HOPE Project focuses on families experiencing fetal or infant loss; and Sinai Hospital serves 45 families through its Community Health initiatives.

The program's success lies in its practical approach to supporting families. Participants primarily use their monthly stipends for essential housing expenses, with many focusing on rental payments and utilities. Importantly, we've seen families building financial resilience by establishing savings accounts and covering moving expenses steps that contribute to long-term stability.

Kesiha Horton, Healthy Families Program Manager at Sinai Hospital, underscores the significance of this partnership: "The collaboration with Family League has been lifechanging for the families we serve. The housing support provided through this program is more than financial assistance it’ s a lifeline that empowers families to move forward with stability and confidence. Seeing parents gain the security they need to focus on their children’s well-being is truly rewarding."

Building a More Resilient Baltimore

This initiative aligns seamlessly with Mayor Brandon Scott's Baltimore Young Families Success Fund pilot project, representing a comprehensive approach to addressing systemic inequities. Our work is made possible through the Children's Cabinet Interagency Fund, administered by the Governor's Office for Children, which has been instrumental in providing crucial assistance.

While we continue enhancing our payment distribution systems, the Housing Support Program represents more than financial aid it demonstrates what's possible when we invest in families' basic needs. Supporting housing stability creates ripple effects that strengthen both individual families

WINTER 2024/25

and entire communities, building a more resilient Baltimore.

The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services funded this project under award number CCIF-2024-0025. All points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of any State or Federal agency.

MEET MELISSA MOORE

Melissa Moore is the Senior Director of Community Impact at Family League, where she oversees the organization’s initiatives in maternal and child health, food justice, adaptive village, and interagency investments. In this pivotal role, Melissa ensures the effective implementation of Family League’s mission through strategic leadership and dedicated service.

Since joining Family League in 2012, Melissa has been recognized with the Mayor’s Medallion for Meritorious Service and has demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing operational efficiencies and fostering a culture aligned with the organization’s core values. A UMBC graduate and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Melissa combines her extensive experience with a passion for stewardship.

Demaune Millard

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO

Together Our Impact Reaches Further

DEMAUNE MILLARD, FAMILY LEAGUE

Dear Friends and Partners of Family League,

As winter continues to settle over the city, I find myself reflecting on both the remarkable journey we've shared and the exciting new chapter that's unfolding for Family League. This season of transition brings with it not only the opportunity to look back at our accomplishments but also to envision the expanded possibilities that lie ahead from our new home.

A Historic Move for Greater Impact

After more than 15 years at our North Charles Street location, I'm thrilled to announce that Family League has successfully relocated to 1734 Maryland Avenue, 3rd Floor, within the Co-Op at Maryland Avenue. For correspondence, please note our updated mailing address: 919 West 34th Street, PO Box 50129, Baltimore, MD 21211. This move represents far more than a change of address it's a testament to our growth and a physical embodiment of our renewed commitment to the communities we serve. I'd like to extend my heartfelt thanks to La Tonia Rush for her exceptional project management, Dara Gray and the Innovation and Technology team for ensuring our systems remained accessible throughout, and Tiffany Snead-Rose for coordinating our welcoming hospitality efforts. To everyone who pitched in with cleaning, organizing, and maintaining your daily responsibilities during this transition your dedication makes our mission possible.

Celebrating Community Achievement

The stories featured in this newsletter showcase the depth of our collective impact across Baltimore. Our Annual Meeting in November brought together leaders, partners, and community members to celebrate our shared achievements and this year's awardees. This gathering reinforced what we've long known: when we combine resources, expertise, and community wisdom, transformative change becomes possible. I'm particularly excited about December's announcement of the ENOUGH Initiative awardees, with eleven representatives from Baltimore. This initiative, supported by Governor Moore's investment, promises to advance community-driven solutions that address our city's most pressing challenges.

Maternal and Child Health Milestones

I'm proud to report that the B'More for Healthy Babies initiative continues to achieve remarkable results, with hospital breast/ chestfeeding initiation rates reaching an impressive 92% among participants. Our home visiting programs are exceeding MIECHV family targets, with 92% of participants reporting improved family functioning. These outcomes demonstrate the power of comprehensive, sustained support for families during the critical early years.

The success of these programs reflects our commitment to ensuring every Baltimore child has the opportunity for a healthy start in life.

Youth Development and Educational Innovation

Our Out-of-School Time partners maintain 87% average daily attendance, exceeding our 83% target. Through collaboration with City Offices, we've invested over $5.3 million in OST programming, serving more than 3,400 K-12 students across 69 Community Schools. Programs like Morrell Park Elementary Middle School have received MSDE recognition, validating our approach to creating enriching environments.

Family Strengthening Success Stories

HIPPY Baltimore's workforce development initiative has become a model of community empowerment, creating pathways for parents to become professional home visitors while serving 109 families. HIPPY programming has surpassed enrollment goals across all sites. The Family Recovery Program continues to demonstrate the power of comprehensive support in helping families overcome substance use challenges while reducing reunification timelines and saving taxpayer dollars.

As we settle into our new space, Family League remains focused on creating lasting positive change. Our new location provides fresh opportunities to deepen collaboration with partners and enhance our service to the community. Together, we are building a stronger, more equitable Baltimore where every family has the opportunity to thrive.

With gratitude and determination,

Demaune A. Millard President & CEO

Family League proudly stands with Governor Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office for Children involving the first-of-its-kind, ENOUGH Initiative, championing a collaborative approach to dismantling child poverty through strategic, community-driven solutions. As Maryland’s largest Local Management Board (LMB) and Baltimore’s LMB, Family League is supporting 11 local awardees who embody the resilience, innovation, and collective determination of Baltimore’s communities.

“This isn’t just funding it’s a blueprint for transformation,” said Demaune Millard, President and CEO of Family League. “We’ re moving beyond isolated interventions to a holistic approach that amplifies community voices and local expertise. The ENOUGH Initiative represents a pivotal moment in our city’ s ongoing commitment to creating pathways of opportunity for every child.

The ENOUGH Initiative follows three critical development tracks, Partnership Development, Plan Development, and Implementation. For Baltimore, this means a strategic multi-year approach to addressing the root causes of child poverty through targeted, community specific interventions.

Governor Moore's vision resonates deeply with Family League's mission. "We are directly partnering in the work to create safe and thriving communities; support healthy and economically secure families; and ensure access to highquality education," the Governor stated. "Because partnership produces progress – and nothing else does."

Family League remains deeply grateful for the unwavering support of Baltimore City leadership, including Mayor Brandon

Maryland Governor Wes Moore along with ENOUGH Baltimore Grant Awardees including Child First Authority's Ojeda Hall, Cherry Hill Strong's Zeevelle "Z" Nottingham, Park Heights Renaissance's Yolanda Jiggetts, and Elev8 Baltimore's Alexandria Warrick Adams to announce $13.1 million in transformative funding. Baltimore City Councilwoman Phylicia Porter, Family League President and CEO Demaune Millard, and ENOUGH Director Pickett Slater Harrington celebrated this initiative to address systemic barriers facing Maryland's children.

Governor Wes Moore’s visionary initiative has allocated $13.1 million to support communities across Maryland, with Baltimore emerging as a key focal point of this transformative effort. Family League is supporting an impressive cohort of local awardees, including:

Implementation Award Recipients: Cherry Hill Strong, and Park Heights Renaissance Planning Award Recipients: Child First Authority, Elev8 Baltimore, South Baltimore Community Land Trust, The Central Baltimore Partnership, and The Y in Central Maryland

Partnership Award Recipients: Greater Mondawmin Coordinating Council, Tendea Family Inc., Urban Strategies Inc., and We Our Us

“ENOUGH is more than producing more programming,” Millard emphasized. “ENOUGH is about constructing pathways to economic mobility, access to a quality education, and enhancing the vibrancy of community. These organizations represent the heart of Baltimore resilient, innovative, and deeply committed to creating lasting change.”

Their steadfast commitment to community-driven solutions and strategic investments in Baltimore's neighborhoods has been instrumental in creating the fertile ground from which initiatives like ENOUGH can grow. Mayor Scott's vision for Baltimore rooted in equity, opportunity, and community empowerment aligns seamlessly with the ENOUGH Initiative's goals, demonstrating the city's continued leadership in addressing systemic challenges and creating pathways for our children and families.

Family League congratulates all ENOUGH Initiative awardees and looks forward to supporting their critical work in reimagining opportunities across Baltimore's most challenged neighborhoods.

As the 447th General Assembly legislative session commences, Family League of Baltimore stands ready to advance transformative change for Baltimore's children, families, and communities. Our comprehensive framework addresses four interconnected pillars that form the foundation of family success and community prosperity.

Early Education: Investing in Our Future

The challenges facing Baltimore's early education system demand immediate attention. With families spending up to 41% of their income on childcare and Maryland projected to lose 41% of its family childcare providers by 2026, we're advocating for expanded support through the Child Care Quality Incentive Grant Program and strengthened Childcare Capital Support Revolving Loan Fund. Our $12 million investment in education initiatives has already demonstrated success, with 69 Community Schools providing vital resources and Out-of-School Time Programs supporting over 3,400 K12 students.

Healthy Families: Closing the Health Equity Gap

Our $4.5 million investment in perinatal health initiatives reflects our commitment to addressing critical health disparities. Black mothers in Baltimore face 1.4 times higher rates of preterm births, underscoring the urgent need for expanded maternal healthcare access. Through successful programs like Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) and partnerships with organizations like DRUM Healthy Families and Sinai Hospital, we're creating innovative pathways to improve family health outcomes.

Safe Communities: Building Sustainable Safety

Baltimore's historic progress in reducing violent crime, with homicides reaching their second-lowest level in four decades, demonstrates the impact of comprehensive community safety approaches. Our $1.8 million investment in safety initiatives supports violence prevention, safe passage programs, and trauma response teams. These efforts, combined with addressing housing affordability challenges, create a foundation for sustainable community well-being.

A Framework for Success

Family League's integrated approach recognizes that lasting change requires coordinated action across all these domains. Our framework advances upward mobility through:

• Strategic partnerships that leverage resources and expertise

• Evidence-based programs that deliver measurable results

• Community-driven solutions that address local needs

• Innovative approaches that create sustainable change

As we move forward in 2025, we invite the Maryland General Assembly to join us in supporting these crucial initiatives. Together, we can build a Baltimore where every family has the opportunity to thrive.

Economic Security: Creating Sustainable Pathways

The ENOUGH Initiative, Governor Moore's groundbreaking $13.1 million investment, represents a transformative approach to addressing poverty in Baltimore, where 19.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Our eleven community partners are pioneering comprehensive approaches across implementation, planning, and partnership tracks. Through strategic collaboration with organizations like Civic Works and JARC Baltimore, we're creating sustainable pathways to familysupporting careers and economic mobility.

Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) has been transforming early childhood education for over five decades, growing from a pioneering research initiative into a globally recognized program now operating in 15 countries. Through HIPPY's family-focused approach, parents receive specialized training, support, and educational materials that enable them to become their child's first and most important teacher, fostering crucial developmental skills through engaging activities in the comfort of their own home.

Baltimore HIPPY Taps Parent Experience for Home Visitor Program

Family League's HIPPY partners bring this proven early childhood education model to Baltimore families, empowering them through its developmentally appropriate curriculum designed for children ages 2-5. At the heart of the program are dedicated home visitors who work closely with families from their own communities, providing weekly guidance and support through role-playing educational activities. The program's impact in Baltimore continues to grow, now serving 109 families in fiscal year 2024, with plans to reach 125 families in the coming year. Through carefully crafted activity packets and storybooks, parents learn to create meaningful learning experiences that promote their children's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development, ensuring they enter kindergarten ready to thrive.

cont. on page 6

Family League funded HIPPY programs have significantly increased the number of families served each year and are projected to increase again 2025.

Source: Family League Data and Evaluation

Through partnerships with Park Heights Renaissance, Learning How! Early Childhood Development Center, and UMBC's Sherman STEM Teacher Scholars Program, HIPPY Baltimore is reshaping the landscape of early childhood education.

Impact in 2024

The program achieved continued success in 2024, serving 109 Baltimore families with plans to expand its reach in 2025. Most notably, 100% of surveyed parents reported that the program effectively prepared their children for kindergarten. This remarkable achievement underscores HIPPY's effectiveness in creating strong educational foundations for Baltimore's youngest learners

Introducing the Parent-to-Professional Pipeline

HIPPY Baltimore's workforce development initiative, supported by Hoffberger Family Philanthropies, stands as a testament to innovative community empowerment. The program transforms participating parents into qualified home visitors, creating sustainable employment opportunities within their own communities With a 90% post-program employment rate, this initiative demonstrates the powerful intersection of education and economic opportunity.

Understanding that accessibility is key to success, HIPPY Baltimore has implemented comprehensive support services. The program offers flexible evening sessions in both virtual and inperson formats, along with essential support services including childcare, transportation, and multilingual assistance. This thoughtful approach ensures that all families can participate fully in the program.

National Recognition and Leadership

HIPPY Baltimore's innovative approach has garnered national attention, earning the program a prestigious spot as poster presenters at the upcoming National Home Visiting Summit in Washington, D.C. in February. This platform will allow Baltimore to showcase its unique integration of workforce development and early childhood education to over 700 industry leaders and policymakers.

Family League hosting HIPPY Coordinators and home visitors for Annual Baltimore HIPPY Kick Off Meeting.

A Parent's Perspective

The program's impact is perhaps best captured in the words of its participants. As one parent from the UMBC partnership program shared, "HIPPY showed me how, as a parent, I could better help my child to learn and support their creative expression." Another participant noted, "I enjoy the sense of family that comes with being in the HIPPY program. Everyone treats my family with love and kindness."

Through strategic partnerships, innovative programming, and an unwavering commitment to accessibility, HIPPY Baltimore isn't just preparing children for school – it's empowering families to build stronger futures together. As Baltimore's recognized Early Childhood Advisory Council by the Maryland State Department of Education, the program continues to set new standards for early childhood education while creating lasting change in communities across the city.

Advancing Local Priorities

As co-lead of the Baltimore City Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC), alongside Baltimore City Public Schools and the Baltimore City Child Care Coalition, HIPPY is positioned to expand its influence further. With a continued investments planned for FY25, the program is poised to reach more families and continue its mission of empowering parents as their children's first teachers. In addition, Family League is now the licensed holder for HIPPY.

Breaking the Cycle: How Baltimore is Reimagining

Family Recovery in America’s Opioid Crisis

In a room for second chances on Baltimore's Gay Street, walls painted in carefully chosen warm colors and sunlight streaming onto meticulously arranged toys create a space where broken families begin to heal. The Extended Time Parenting Room at The Family Recovery Program, Inc. (FRP) represents an opportunity in family reunification, launched amid America's ongoing opioid crisis.

In a city grappling with an overdose rate seven times the national average, this thoughtfully designed space serves as both a sanctuary and a proving ground. Here, parents working to overcome substance use challenges take measured steps toward reclaiming their most precious responsibility: raising their children. Each supervised visit, complete with family activities and healthy snacks, marks another milestone on the path to permanent reunion.

Health, Home, Community, Purpose

"When we talk about SAMHSA's (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) four pillars of recovery health, home, community, and purpose we're really talking about rebuilding the entire foundation of family life," explains Dr. Jocelyn Gainers, FRP's President and CEO. Her voice carries the weight of experience as she adds, "Our families aren't just fighting addiction – they're fighting for their children's futures. Each random drug screening, each parenting class, each milestone represents another step toward reunification."

At the heart of FRP's approach lies their mission to "S.E.E." their families – Strengthen those affected by trauma and substance use, Engage them in holistic services, and Equip them with traumainformed skills for resilience. But what truly sets the organization apart is its housing offering for parents.

Home as the Foundation for Change

Through a network of facilities at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Building at Sage Center, FRP has created more than just shelter – they've built a foundation for lasting change. Since 2016, these facilities, offering more 23 two-and-three-bedroom apartments, have housed 112 families. The results speak volumes: 84 parents have

achieved reunification with their children. The average time families stay in FRP’s transitional housing development is 18 months.

Family Matters First Year

FRP's journey began modestly in 2005 as an initiative within Family League's portfolio, pioneering a new approach as the first program under the Maryland Opportunity Compact. "From its inception, FRP embodied our belief that transformative change happens when we invest in evidence-based, familycentered solutions," reflects Demaune Millard, President and CEO of Family League.

In January 2024, FRP launched its Family Matters initiative, supported by SAMHSA funding. The effort marks a further inclusion of service, now accepting selfreferrals and extending beyond courtmandated cases. As Family Matters celebrates its first anniversary, it stands as testament to the power of strategic partnerships, offering comprehensive support from substance use disorder treatment to employment services.

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Family Recovery Program participant breakdown includes (63%) Black and African American, (29%) White, (6%) Other, and (2%) Two or More Races.

The majority of Family Recovery Program participants were males and averaged 35 years in age.

Source: Family League Data and Evaluation

A City's Path to Healing

For Baltimore – a city that comprises just 9% of Maryland's population but shoulders 44% of its overdose burden – the stakes couldn't be higher. As communities across the city grapple with generational trauma, recent landmark settlements with pharmaceutical manufacturers have opened new possibilities for healing. City Solicitor Ebony Thompson, speaking to the Baltimore Sun in June 2024, characterized the settlements as an unprecedented recovery for the city, noting Baltimore's determination to secure meaningful compensation for its residents.

The impact of such broad-scale initiatives ultimately comes down to moments like those unfolding in the Extended Time Parenting Room, where another family works toward reunion. Each supervised visit, every successful reunification, writes another chapter in Baltimore's journey toward recovery. As the city confronts its opioid crisis head-on, the quiet work of rebuilding families continues – one parent, one child, one bond at a time.

Family League’s Interagency Initiatives programming partners with public agencies and human service organizations to establish aligned systems of care and coordinated service delivery for children and families across multiple systems including social services, juvenile justice, mental health, education, law enforcement, and housing. Working closely with city-wide agencies, Family League invests 3.5 million dollars into these Interagency Initiatives and supports the implementation of evidence-based practices and ensures they are reflective of local and national best practices.

THE HARRY AND JEANETTE WEINBERG BUILDING AT SAGE CENTER

The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Building at Sage Center, which opened in 2016, provides housing for FRP program participants working toward family reunification. Located in East Baltimore's former St. Katharine's Catholic School, the renovated 28,000 sq. ft. building features 23 apartments, communal spaces, and classrooms. FRP staff provide 24-hour security, case management, and connection to essential services. Photos courtesy of the Family Recovery Program, Inc.

Building Stronger Youth Development Systems

BY JENEE TUCKER, FAMIILY LEAGUE SR. DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY IMPACT

Family League’s Impact on Baltimore’s Out-of-School Time Programming

When Baltimore, like cities nationwide, confronted the pandemic's seismic shifts, Family League recalibrated its approach to fortifying the city's youth development ecosystem. The organization's resilience as a primary Out-of-School Time (OST) intermediary is now captured in a current Wallace Foundation study examining how Baltimore and eleven other cities reimagined their OST systems amid unprecedented challenges. The research, "Responding, Reimagining, Realizing: Outof-School Time Coordination in a New Era," chronicles the adaptive strategies

intermediary organizations deployed to meet their communities' emergent needs.

sustained commitment to broadening access to quality educational support.

Jenee Tucker is the Senior Director of Community Impact at Family League, where she stewards a $12 million budget to support education initiatives such as School Readiness, Community Schools, and Youth Development programs. With over two decades of experience, Jenee excels in managing evidence-based programs, leading a team of Program Directors, and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure equitable grant-making and program effectiveness.

She joined Family League in 2016, rising through the ranks to her current role in 2024. Previously, Jenee worked with Baltimore City Public Schools and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Maryland. A Baltimore native, she holds an M.S. in Project Management from Morgan State University and a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Virginia Union University.

Released in June 2024, the study affirms that the pivotal shifts made by Family League and its peer intermediaries transcend crisis response to become essential frameworks for future operations. Four key coordination areas for intermediaries emerged from the study as guidance: orchestrating systemic professional development, elevating provider voices to decision-makers, cultivating partnerships across the learning and development ecosystem, and advancing racial equity in OST programming. These strategic adaptations forged in crisis but refined through practice offer a playbook for resilient youth support systems that resonate well beyond their pandemic-era origins.

Strengthening Community Partnerships: A Systems Approach

The research team's findings, gathered over two and a half years across multiple U.S. cities by Research for Action and McClanahan Associates, demonstrate how OST intermediaries elevated their response to address intensified community needs. In Baltimore specifically, this work involved the strength of Family League's collaborative partnerships with the Mayor's Office of Children & Family Success (MOCFS), City Schools, Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, and the Maryland Out-of-School Time (MOST) Network.

At a panel discussion late Fall, I shared insights about this transformative period, emphasizing how our partnership with MOCFS has been instrumental in systems building. The study points to an expanded role for OST intermediaries, particularly in championing equity in programming and responding to emerging youth needs.

The impact of this systems-level approach is evident in our current reach. Family League invests over $5.3 million to support more than 3,400 K-12 students across 69 Community Schools in Baltimore, including 14 high schools. Our network encompasses 154 Community Schools throughout the city, demonstrating our

Expanding Summer Opportunities: Meeting Diverse Youth Needs

Family League has invested over $1.5 million in summer youth development programs, serving 2,258 young people across 18 zip codes with an 86% average daily attendance rate. Our programming specifically targets middle and high school students, Opportunity Youth, neurodivergent youth, and LGBTQIA+ youth, offering experiences in college and career readiness, arts, literacy, social emotional learning (SEL), and STEM education. Notably, 45% of participants were aged 13-24, addressing a long-standing gap in summer programming for older youth. This intentional focus aligns with community health needs assessment findings and primarily serves communities within the Black Butterfly area, as described by Dr. Lawrence T. Brown. The program reached a diverse audience, with 72% Black and 22% Hispanic or Latino participants, and demonstrated gender inclusivity (55% boys/men, 43% girls/women, and 2% non-binary). Importantly, the initiative successfully expanded Family League's reach, as most summer participants were new to our programming rather than continuing from school-year activities.

The impact of these investments is reflected in measurable outcomes and compelling success stories across our programs. Using the nationally recognized Summer Program Quality Assessment (PQA) tool developed by the National Summer Learning Association and Forum for Youth Investment's David P. Weikart Center we conducted site visits to assess quality and provide capacity-building support. This rigorous evaluation approach complemented the outstanding work of our partners: The Bluebird Education Network, Inc. enhanced kindergarten readiness, while the Village Learning Place fostered student leadership through innovative socialemotional learning. RICH (Restoring Inner City Hope, Inc.) successfully merged cont. on page 11

MEET JENEE TUCKER

Family League of Baltimore serves as a facilitating partner for the Community School strategy in partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) and the Baltimore Mayor and City Council. The Baltimore Community Schools strategy is composed of two critical components: Community Schools and Out- ofSchool Time (OST) programs. A Community School is a place and a set of strategic partnerships that promote student achievement, positive conditions for learning, and the well-being of families and communities. OST programs provide students with the opportunity to explore new ideas, build 21st century skills, find new talents, and experience success.

OUT OF SCHOOL TIME (OST) COMMUNITY SCHOOLS BI-MONTHLY MEETING

Family League's December Community Schools Bi-Monthly Meeting featured impactful workshops led by Councilwoman Phylicia Porter and MOST Network's Ellie Mitchell on engaging elected officials, while facilitator Felecia Veale-Buckson guided attendees through compassion fatigue management. The professional development event strengthened core competencies for Baltimore's community school practitioners. Photos courtesy of EscArtVibes and Felecia Veale-Buckson.

Student Absenteeism:

A Community-Wide Priority

Family League recognizes the critical challenge of student absenteeism in Baltimore City schools, where data shows chronic absence rates affecting 48% of students in the 2023 -2024 school year. While encouraging progress has been made with first-quarter rates dropping to 34% this issue requires sustained, collaborative attention from all community partners.

As an organization deeply invested in Baltimore's youth development ecosystem, Family League understands that attendance challenges intersect with broader systems coordinated through Community Schools and Out-of-School Time programming. Baltimore’s network of 154 Community Schools provides unique insights into the multifaceted nature of attendance barriers, from transportation access to family engagement needs.

academic enrichment with creative expression, culminating in a student-led fashion show that showcased participants' graphic design skills. Access Art demonstrated particularly strong outcomes, with over 82% of participants achieving their personal growth goals through their integrated arts and education approach.

Development: Strengthening Our Community's Capacity

Professional development continues to anchor our approach at Family League. We recently hosted our Community Schools BiMonthly Meeting, featuring valuable workshops led by Baltimore City Councilwoman Phylicia Porter and Ellie Mitchell of MOST Network. These sessions focused on building critical competencies in advocacy, policy change, communications, and data-driven decision making. Kudos to my colleague Program Director, Deyara Morris Burns for her leading efforts with Family League’s professional development.

Key Areas for Growth

The Wallace Foundation study identifies four crucial areas for continued development. First, responding to post-pandemic youth needs, particularly in mental and emotional health. Second, advocating for equitable OST programs. Third, leveraging partnerships to support families, and finally, advancing systemic equity in OST systems. As one participant in the study noted, OST intermediaries possess unique advocacy capabilities: "They're able to advocate differently than us as individual organizations...It's getting in

Further advancing detailed attendance analysis aligns with Family League's evidence-based approach to community impact. Through its existing data collection and evaluation processes across 69 funded Community Schools, Family League has observed how comprehensive support systems can positively influence student engagement and attendance patterns. Family League’s summer programs' 86% average daily attendance rate demonstrates the effectiveness of welldesigned, accessible youth programming.

Family League supports Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott and City Council's efforts to better understand and address absenteeism through data-driven solutions. This approach resonates with our own commitment to using evidence-based strategies for improving youth outcomes.

front of the 'right people' who have the ability to enact changes or to move resources differently."

Through our combined efforts at Family League, we continue to demonstrate the vital role of OST intermediaries in building robust, responsive youth development systems. Our work extends beyond immediate programming needs to contribute to long-term systemic changes that benefit Baltimore's youth and families.

This commitment to comprehensive support is particularly evident in our summer programming outcomes, which achieved both broad reach and deep impact across diverse communities. By maintaining focus on quality programming while adapting to meet emerging needs, Family League exemplifies the expanded role of OST intermediaries described in the Wallace Foundation study –serving not just as program coordinators but as essential partners in creating more equitable and effective youth development systems.

Urban Cipher

Together, B'More For Healthy Babies and Family League Community Advisory Board members, participated in "The Black Butterfly Dream Lab" workshop in December. Led by Dr. Lawrence Brown of the Black Butterfly Academy and Morgan State University School of Community Health and Policy. This interactive gaming experience explored the intersections of urban apartheid and equitable society building.

Dr. Brown served as principal investigator for Family League's Community Health Needs Assessment, guided participants through an immersive experience that bridged Baltimore's historical patterns of segregation with contemporary health and economic disparities. The workshop created a unique space for service providers to examine how past policies continue to shape present-day outcomes for children, youth, and families across the city.

Through the gaming framework, participants deepened their understanding of applying health equity principles to their direct service work. The interactive format encouraged stakeholders to consider how historical segregation patterns have created lasting impacts on both community health outcomes and wealth distribution. This perspective proved particularly valuable for those implementing social and nonprofit programs throughout Baltimore.

The workshop demonstrated how understanding historical context is crucial for developing effective, equity-focused interventions. By connecting past policies to present challenges, participants gained practical insights for creating more holistic and comprehensive approaches to serving Baltimore's communities.

[Photos] Dr. Lawrence Brown of Black Butterfly Academy led an engaging Black Butterfly Dream Lab workshop for B'More For Healthy Babies and Family League Community Advisory Board members, exploring Baltimore's historical patterns through interactive gameplay. Workshop participants actively engaged in this innovative approach to understanding urban apartheid and its lasting impact on community health out-

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Family League of Baltimore is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the designated Local Management Board for the City of Baltimore. Since 1991, it has worked collaboratively to support data-informed, community-driven solutions that align resources to dismantle the systemic barriers which limited the possibilities for children, families, and communities.