Our History

A Legacy of Supporting Children & Families

Maryland Family Network was formed in 2009 with the merger of two leading nonprofit organizations–Maryland Committee for Children, founded in 1945 to advocate for high quality child care, and Friends of the Family, founded in 1986 to administer Maryland’s network of Family Support Centers.

Today MFN is the state’s leading provider of services to the early childhood care community, and a leader in building and expanding programs that help the whole family thrive. We are the state’s lead agency for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention, the number one source for locating quality child care, and the leading advocate of early childhood policies and programs in Annapolis.

While our program areas and priorities have evolved over time, our core commitment to supporting young children and those who care for them has remained steadfast.

The result? Stronger families and a stronger Maryland.

Timeline

1945

During WWII, women enter the workforce in record numbers. An urgent need for child care was born and the Maryland Committee for Children (MCC) was founded to advocate for quality care and early education.

1965

President Johnson launches the War on Poverty and MCC broadens its base while Maryland’s own Sargent Shriver leads the creation of Head Start.

1986

In response to rising teen pregnancy and an overwhelmed foster care system, Friends of the Family (FOF) is established to support a statewide network of Family Support Centers.

1988-89

MCC formally launches LOCATE: Child Care and begins operation of the Maryland Child Care Resource Network to support providers and strengthen the state's child care system.

2009

Maryland Committee for Children and Friends of the Family merge to form Maryland Family Network (MFN), combining their resources to better serve all children and families.

2011

Maryland is one of nine states to win a four-year, $50 million Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge grant.

2014

MFN successfully advocates for the expansion of access to quality of pre-K for over 3,800 low-income four-year-olds. The Department of Health & Human Services awarded MFN $1.5 million to open more EHS Centers and serve more children than ever.

2018

MFN leads a successful advocacy effort to streamline the application process and expand eligibility for Maryland’s Child Care Scholarship Program to historically high levels.

2021

MFN serves as early childhood experts on the Kirwan Commission, leading to the passage of The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, which enacts historic enhancements to early care and education including the opening for more Patty Center – Family Support Centers.

2022

Maryland became the 12th state to enact paid, job protected leave from work to care for a new child, an ill family member, or their own serious health condition. MFN spearheaded this effort with a dedicated cadre of organizations and businesses.

2022

With funding from the American Rescue Plan Act funds, MFN launched two initiatives to support child care providers during the pandemic and beyond. These efforts support women owned businesses while also contributing significantly to Maryland’s current and future workforces.

2024

MFN's role as a champion for children is validated by the Governor's historic commitment of state funds to the Child Care Scholarship Program.