Governor Moore Announces New Program to Address Key Challenges Faced by Young Men and Boys at Baltimore Banner Impact Summit
Updated:
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Moore today announced a new program designed to address key challenges faced by young men and boys by providing parenting supports for fathers. The governor made the announcement during a fireside chat at the Baltimore Banner Impact Summit, where he discussed the Moore-Miller administration’s work to lower costs, build a dynamic economy and deliver real results for Marylanders across the state.
“Here in Maryland, we see young men and boys not as problems to be solved, but as assets to be cultivated,” said Gov. Moore. “This new initiative helps Maryland fathers foster meaningful connections with their families and contributes to our administration’s larger goal in closing opportunity gaps for young men and boys, fostering stronger communities where everyone can thrive.”
The Governor announced that beginning next week, Maryland will partner with the Parent Encouragement Program (PEP) to provide an eight-week virtual program that can serve up to 300 fathers. The program is designed to equip fathers with practical tools to strengthen their relationships with their children and support their development. The program brings fathers together in small groups once a week, led by trained facilitators who are graduates of the program themselves. This cohort will prioritize fathers from ENOUGH Initiative communities across the state, with a focus on practical parenting strategies, strengthening family connections, supporting children’s mental health, and helping children succeed in school.
The announcements are part of Maryland’s Young Men and Boys Initiative – a statewide effort led by the Governor’s Office for Children to close opportunity gaps and support long-term well-being for boys and young men (ages 0 to 34) across Maryland. The Initiative is organized around three strategic pillars where the data show boys and young men are struggling in order to ensure they are: mentally and physically healthy, prepared to compete in a dynamic economy, and engaged in their families and local communities.
“We can’t succeed as a state if our young men and boys are falling behind,” said Governor’s Office for Children Special Secretary Carmel Martin. “Maryland’s Young Men and Boys Initiative is focused on targeted interventions where the data shows young men and boys are struggling most. By focusing on mental health and literacy outcomes, today’s announcements will help close the gaps and help us make sure every young person in the state can thrive.”
Today’s announcement builds on the Young Men and Boys Initiative’s recent actions to expand access to crisis services such as 988, reduce stigma around mental health, reduce literacy gaps, increase mentorship opportunities for boys, and respond to emerging risks including gambling, social isolation, and technology-related harms.
“Connection, belonging, and purpose are key factors in helping young men and boys in Maryland,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani. “We know men and boys face unique challenges that can affect their mental health and well-being. Building supportive relationships, encouraging help-seeking, and creating opportunities to connect with others can strengthen resilience and improve mental health outcomes, which, most importantly, means saving lives.”
Last month, during Suicide Prevention Month, the Maryland Department of Health worked with Movember, the world’s largest men’s health organization, to develop the Supporting Young Men & Boys wellness guide, a dedicated wellness guide and combat the stigma around seeking help. Maryland also recently announced a partnership with nonprofit Boys Who Write and the Maryland Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs to launch a pilot program focused on improving literacy outcomes for middle-school boys while also supporting mentorship, emotional well-being, and relationship-building.
Each of these initiatives are funded through partnering organizations. The State of Maryland serves as a critical convener bringing together providers of these resources with the audiences to utilize them.
###
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
