Strong Families
Every parent deserves support. Every child deserves a strong start.
Maryland Family Network helps families build confidence, strengthen bonds, and access education and community — because stronger families build stronger futures.
Building Strong Families
MFN uses the national Strengthening Families framework — a research-based approach that helps families grow, stay resilient, and thrive. This approach focuses on five core strengths known as the Protective Factors. Together, these strengths help families create safe, nurturing environments — and communities where all children can grow and succeed.
1
Parental Resilience
Helping parents manage stress and bounce back from challenges.
2
Social Connections
Building supportive relationships with friends, neighbors, caregivers, and community members.
3
Concrete Supports in Times of Need
Ensuring families can access essential resources — from food and housing to child care and financial assistance.
4
Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development
Helping parents understand their child’s development and respond with confidence.
5
Social & Emotional Competence of Children
Supporting children as they learn to express emotions, build relationships, and thrive socially.
Parent Cafés
Raising a family is an amazing journey, but it can also come with challenges. MFN’s Parent Cafés offer a warm, welcoming space where parents and caregivers can share experiences, learn from one another, and build supportive connections.
Parent Cafés are relaxed, friendly gatherings that bring parents together for meaningful conversation. They are designed to help you reflect, learn, and feel supported — all in a safe, judgment-free environment.
Talk About What Matters
Share the joys and challenges of raising children and explore ways to care for yourself and your family.
Learn From Others
Hear how other parents approach similar situations and gather practical tips and new ideas.
Feel Safe & Understood
Parent Cafés are spaces where you can be yourself, speak openly, and feel encouraged.
Discover Your Strengths
See and celebrate the positive things you already bring to your family.
Explore the Protective Factors
Learn what helps families stay strong, connected, and resilient.
Parent Cafés use a peer-to-peer learning model are a partnership between Maryland Family Network and Be Strong Families, the national organization that developed the Parent Café model.
What Happens at a Parent Café?
During a Parent Café, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Reflect on what matters most to you as a parent
- Connect with other parents who understand your experiences
- Learn practical strategies for daily challenges
- Leave refreshed and empowered, with ideas you can put into action immediately
Become a Parent Café Host
MFN provides a two-day facilitator training for organizations that want to lead their own Parent Cafés. For more information contact our Training team.
Find an Upcoming Parent Café
Connect with other parents and discover new ways to strengthen your family.
Parent Leadership Institute
The Parent Leadership Institute brings together parents from across Maryland to build leadership skills, strengthen families, and create meaningful community impact. The program includes two energizing two-day sessions held in the winter and spring.
What You'll Gain
Build Meaningful Connections
Meet other parents, share stories, and develop a strong support network.
Understand What Makes Families Strong
Explore the Protective Factors and how they help families thrive.
Speak Up for Children and Families
Become an ambassador for child-focused, family-friendly practices.
Grow Your Leadership Skills
Develop confidence in communication, collaboration, and advocacy.
Make an Impact
Design and implement a project that strengthens families in your community.
Enjoy the Experience
Our sessions are welcoming, energizing, and fun.
Support for Your Participation
We want every parent to feel supported in joining the Institute.
- Stipends are available for parents who complete the program
- Child care may be provided during sessions
Join the Parent Leadership Institute
To join the parent leadership institute, please contact our Training department.
Strong Families Maryland
Strong Families Maryland helps create safe, nurturing environments where children can grow and families can thrive. Our work focuses on strengthening families early — before challenges escalate.
MFN is the state’s lead agency for Strong Families Maryland, which is funded by the Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) program established by Title II of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act Amendments of 1996.
We work to build a Maryland where:
- Children are safe
- Families feel supported
- Parents have what they need to thrive
- Communities understand how to protect children
- Partners collaborate to strengthen families
What We Do
Share Helpful Information
We provide parents and caregivers with practical guidance on child development and positive parenting.
Promote the Protective Factors
We highlight the core strengths that help families stay resilient, connected, and healthy.
Raise Awareness
We help communities understand their role in preventing child abuse and supporting parents early.
We also support programs that help families by:
- Boosting Financial Stability: We work on initiatives that help families become more financially secure, making it easier to access resources and plan for the future.
- Connecting Families with Support: We ensure families can find the resources they need for their children and themselves.
- Working Together: We bring together various organizations and community agencies with the common goal of strengthening families.
Our Grantees
MFN awarded over $660,000 million to six community-based agencies across the state in an integrated, prevention-focused initiative to reduce child abuse and neglect and increase public awareness about how our community can contribute to supporting strong and healthy families. This is in direct support of our commitment to strengthening families and improving outcomes for young children.
Awardees were selected based on a competitive application process and considered geographic locale, populations served, financial need, potential impact to disproportionality related to children over-represented in the child welfare system, and other factors to ensure an equitable distribution of funds. Each of the grantees will receive $110,000.
Awardees Are:
100 Fathers
Engaging fathers & Fathers figures in prevention efforts.
The CASH Campaign of Maryland (Creating Assets, Savings & Hope).
Addressing secondary child maltreatment prevention by integrating free tax preparation, benefits screening, and financial education in Baltimore City.
Howard County Office of Children & Families
Collaborating with grass roots crisis center to provide parent education to shelter residents.
Mental Health Association of Maryland
Creating goals to support Maryland children and families overall mental wellbeing. Reducing stigma, empowering families through education about mental health and increase access to service and support.
The Family Tree
Creating parenting education classes to increase parenting practices to reduce instances of abuse & neglect.
Teacher's Democracy Project
Supporting parents and caregivers in developing the tools they need to manage stress and trauma.
Resources For Families
Parenting takes more than love—it takes support. We partner with families to build strong starts with trusted care, community, and connection.