MFN Works to Support Crime-Fighting Families

Finding reliable child care is one of the biggest challenges for new police officers. The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) wanted to address this issue and asked Maryland Family Network (MFN) for help.

But police officers work overnight shifts, rotating hours, weekends, and holidays—schedules that make licensed child care hard to find. For many—especially women and single parents—these schedules can create immense strain.

Together, MFN and the BPD implemented a pilot program offering police employees a modest monthly subsidy to help cover child care costs. MFN analyzed the pilot’s outcomes as well as provided ongoing planning, policy, and guidance to ensure long-term success. The results exceeded our expectations.

The monthly child care allowance, initially just $250 but later increased to $400, covered eight to forty percent of participating families’ child care expenses. Despite being a relatively small investment, the stipend made a huge difference. Officers who participated in the program described the support as the difference between “making it work” and feeling overwhelmed.

The program has proven particularly important for women in operational roles, who were five times more likely than administrative staff to say they would have considered leaving without child care support. These findings underscore the critical role of family-focused policies in meeting recruitment and retention goals and in improving officers’ ability to perform their duties.

Participants reported improved attendance, greater focus on their work, and less reliance on overtime to cover child care costs. Most say they now have more consistent daily routines at home, too. These improvements directly contribute to the mission of serving and protecting Baltimore’s residents.

The same needs faced by police are also shared by healthcare workers, firefighters, and others who keep Baltimore running day in and day out. When these workers are confident that their children are safe and well cared for, they can better focus on the complex, high-stakes responsibilities of their jobs.

This report provides even more evidence that Maryland leaders should treat child care as critical infrastructure. Investments in child care today support and protect families, helping them raise the next generation of Baltimore’s leaders. Let’s give them a strong start.

Note: MFN will be presenting the full results of the BPD Child Care Pilot Program at the Maryland Association of Counties 2026 Annual Conference in Baltimore.