7 Groundbreaking Ways The Family League Of Baltimore City Is Redefining Youth And Family Support In 2025
The Family League of Baltimore City continues to serve as a pivotal architect of change, utilizing a data-informed and community-driven approach to dismantle systemic barriers affecting children and families across Baltimore. As of December 2025, the organization is deeply focused on aligning resources and coordinating collaborative initiatives that span the entire continuum of a child's life, from pre-natal care to young adulthood and family stability.
Operating as Baltimore City’s official Local Management Board, the Family League occupies a unique and critical role, convening, coordinating, and funding hundreds of programs designed to improve the lives of children and families. Their current work, highlighted in their comprehensive 2024 Annual Report and forward-looking Fiscal Year 2025 plans, emphasizes strategic partnerships with key city and state entities to maximize community impact.
The Architects of Change: Family League of Baltimore City Leadership & Core Entities
The Family League's mission—to support data-informed, community-driven solutions—is executed through a structure built on collaboration with numerous government agencies, non-profits, and community groups.
Key Leadership Profile: Demaune A. Millard
- Role: President & CEO, The Family League of Baltimore City, Inc.
- Appointment Date: Appointed the 5th President & CEO by the Board of Directors in April 2018.
- Focus: A career nurtured in service and leadership, dedicated to being an agent for change across Baltimore’s systems.
- Recent Update: The organization announced the elevation of key staff members and the addition of a Chief of Staff and other Chief-level positions in February 2024, signaling a strategic restructuring to enhance program delivery and system influence.
Core Partner Entities and Collaborators
The Family League’s impact is amplified through its foundational partnerships, which are essential for its role as a Local Management Board:
- Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS)
- Mayor Brandon M. Scott's Office
- Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD)
- Baltimore City Department of Social Services (DSS)
- Baltimore City Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC)
- Maryland General Assembly (MGA)
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Baltimore City Council
The 7 Pillars of Family League’s Current Impact (2024-2025)
The Family League's work is organized around a comprehensive program of work that spans from pre-birth support to family stability. The following are the most current and significant areas of focus, reflecting their 2024/2025 priorities.
1. The Community School Strategy: A Hub for Opportunity
For over 20 years, the Family League has been a facilitating partner for the crucial Community School strategy in Baltimore. This initiative integrates schools and Out-of-School Time (OST) programs to support student success, strengthen families, and promote healthy communities.
The strategy involves bringing together over 150 Community School Coordinators to enhance the impact and reach of these vital community hubs. The focus for Fiscal Year 2025 includes a strong commitment to supporting high-quality OST programming within these Community Schools.
2. Legislative Advocacy and Systemic Change (2024 Wrap-Up)
A key function of the Family League is influencing systems and advocating for public policy that ensures children and families can thrive. The 2024 Legislative Session saw the Family League prioritize legislation focused on several areas:
- Ensuring "Babies Being Born Healthy."
- Supporting "Children Entering School Ready to Learn."
- Addressing the outcomes of the 2024 Maryland General Assembly, which passed thousands of new bills impacting Marylanders.
3. Early Childhood Development and ECAC Findings
The Family League is a key coalition partner in the Baltimore City Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC). In a very recent update from June 2025, the Family League emphasized new findings from the ECAC that highlight critical barriers in early childhood education.
Furthermore, the organization is actively working to accredit multiple sites for Project HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters), a program focused on setting parents and young kids on the path to success through home-based education.
4. B'more for Healthy Babies (BHB) Initiative
In partnership with the Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) and HealthCare Access Maryland, the Family League supports the citywide B’more for Healthy Babies (BHB) initiative. This program is a critical component of their commitment to the continuum of care, ensuring children have a healthy start in life.
5. Food Security and Afterschool Meals
Food access remains a core initiative, with the Family League dedicated to increasing food security for Baltimore residents. This includes managing and supporting various initiatives, most notably through afterschool meals programming.
6. The Local Care Team (LCT) Coordination
The Family League oversees the essential work of the Local Care Team (LCT) for Baltimore. LCTs serve as vital forums, bringing together various agencies and resources to help families of children with intensive needs navigate complex systems and receive coordinated support.
7. Data-Driven Impact and Fiscal Planning
Foundational to the Family League’s success is its commitment to data-driven decision-making, which informs where resources are aligned to create lasting change. The Fiscal 2024 appropriation plan recommended a significant budget for the Family League, totaling over $10.8 million for educational grants alone in Fiscal 2023, underscoring the scale of their financial stewardship. The release of their comprehensive 2024 Annual Report provides the public with detailed metrics on how these funds and initiatives are translating into tangible community improvements.
What’s Next for Baltimore’s Families?
The Family League of Baltimore City continues to evolve its strategies to meet the dynamic needs of the community. By focusing on systemic barriers, investing in high-impact programs like the Community School Strategy and Project HIPPY, and maintaining strong partnerships with key government and non-profit entities, the organization is positioned to deliver on its promise. Their ongoing work, guided by leadership like Demaune A. Millard and informed by fresh data from partners like the ECAC, ensures that the future of Baltimore’s children and families remains a top priority.
The ongoing commitment to collaboration with entities such as the Baltimore City Public Schools and the Baltimore City Health Department highlights a unified front in addressing the most pressing challenges facing the city's youth. The Family League serves not just as a funder, but as a critical convener, ensuring all efforts are synchronized for maximum positive effect.
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