The MASSB Minute

Greetings everyone. All of us are compassionate leaders who seek to make a difference in our communities. As an organization, we believe in the transformative power of volunteering and the invaluable impact we can have on at risk families, children and vulnerable adults. As we prepare for the upcoming conference dedicated to foster care, we want to provide opportunities to create a brighter future for children in foster care. Whether you are a seasoned volunteer on your local boards or new to this important endeavor in the community, MASSB is here to support and offer relevant resources. Together, we can make a profound change in the lives of these young individuals. The upcoming annual MASSB conference in October will serve as an important vehicle to do so.

I hope you will join us at the conference where you will have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals from across the state, gain valuable expert insights and share your own experiences. Together, we can continue building a supportive and compassionate community dedicated to improving the lives of those in foster care.

Best,
Tony

October 12–13, Theme: Foster Care
Location: Montgomery College, Rockville, MD
Keynote Speaker: Mr. Daniel Wait, Deputy Secretary of Operations, Maryland Department of Human Services

We're working hard to plan a conference that is informative and meets your needs. Please plan to join us!

“I found the panel discussion very helpful. I was able to get so much information to take back to my county and revive our board. Being able to network in person makes a big difference!” — 2022 Conference Attendee

Executive Director, Maryland Resource Parents Association (MRPA)

We have a great line-up of Foster Care experts scheduled to present at our October conference, including Stefany Lang. Stefany was recently selected as the new Executive Director of the Maryland Resource Parents Association (MRPA). MRPA works with the state government and other groups to represent the views of foster and kinship parents, and supports county-based foster parent groups and individual foster parents through support and training.

Stefany and her husband, Chris, are active foster parents in Calvert County, where they have fostered 11 children since 2013. Their family consists of three biological children, two adopted children, and two children who are part of their family through guardianship, ranging in age from 7 to 31.

Stefany is also president of the Calvert County Foster Parent Association and a co-facilitator of the county's training for new foster parents. There, she has instituted monthly support group meetings and foster family events, and serves as a resource for the questions and concerns of local foster parents.

As MRPA Executive Director, Stefany hopes to bring that same support to foster and kinship parents statewide. She has a true passion for being a foster parent, and says “I want to try and make the foster care experience as smooth and painless as possible for the families and the children in Maryland.”

MASSB is the association of all Advisory Boards. There are 24 boards in all – 23 Maryland counties plus Baltimore City. The MASSB Foundation (MASSBF) was established in 2007 to give local boards the ability to fundraise as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. MASSD is the association of the 24 Dept. of Social Services Directors. A MASSD member acts as liaison to MASSB, ensuring coordination between the two Associations. The current MASSD Liaison is Montgomery County's Director, Mr. Oscar Mensah.

Amy Robinson, Finance Director, Washington County Department of Social Services

Maryland Association of Social Services Board (MASSB) Foundation participates in the Maryland Charity Campaign (MCC) each year. This workplace charitable giving program offers State employees and retirees the opportunity to contribute to charities they care about. This year's MCC will kick off on October 2nd, and once again, Washington County's Amy Robinson will be instrumental in helping us allocate funds received to the contributing employees' counties.

Amy has held her position as Finance Director of the Washington County Department of Social Services (WCDSS) for 15 years. Amy helps the WCDSS Advisory Board manage Foundation funds received for Washington County, including coordinating deposits, withdrawals, and reports. The Advisory Board does not actively fundraise but receives donations because of the Maryland Charities Campaign and the Generous Jurors Program (donations of jury duty stipends). These donations purchase food and supplies for DSS off-site programs like the Sunshine Family Visitation Center.

When asked how she became involved with the Foundation, Amy said that WCDSS was one of the first DSS offices to participate with MASSB after the Foundation was established. She worked closely with Foundation Trustee Mark Poerio to navigate the process. Amy added: “Mark and I formed a great working relationship, and I continued helping and giving advice as new counties partnered with MASSB.” When asked what advice she would give to board members today, Amy said, “Get to know your DSS employees and work closely with your Finance team.”

Thank you, Amy, for your ongoing and invaluable support of the MASSB Foundation!

Calvert County's board invited MASSBF Trustee, Karen Lane, to their August board meeting to talk about the role of the Foundation. With several new board members this was a great opportunity for informal discussion and Q&A.