HOW MARYLAND GOVERNOR MOORE SIGNS TWO EXECUTIVE ORDERS TO PROTECT MARYLAND’S CHILDREN! (1241 hits)
For Immediate Release From Mental Health Association of Maryland!
We are excited to announce that Governor Moore signed two executive orders today to reinforce protection and support for Maryland’s children.
The first executive order creates a new Governor’s Office for Children, which will collaborate with stakeholders to take on big issues, including: food insecurity, educational outcomes, expanded access to health care, youth homelessness, and childhood poverty. Carmel Martin has been appointed Special Secretary of the Governor’s Office for Children and Senior Advisor for Economic Mobility. She will also lead the charge of reinvigorating the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet. This is welcome news as Maryland’s children need our help now more than ever.
The Governor signed a second executive order renaming and re-envisioning the Office for Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services to the Office for Crime Prevention and Policy because, as Governor Moore said, “language matters. The names we give speak not just to our work; they speak to our values. Lumping together the words crime, youth, and victims is a statement of values. And this administration refuses to see our children as deficits. They are not deficits that need to be managed, we see our children as assets who need to be unearthed.”
And we couldn’t agree more. All children deserve to be seen, heard, and provided with the support they need to thrive.
Together, these two executive orders will help Maryland to confront the mounting challenges our children face today. As we all know, these challenges are intrinsically connected with mental wellbeing and mental health outcomes. We look forward to collaborating with this administration on these initiatives.
At the 2024 MHAMD Legislative Briefing and Reception, we will be laser focused on the children’s mental health crisis in Maryland, bringing together state leaders Secretary of Health Laura Herrera Scott, Secretary of Juvenile Services Vincent Schiraldi, and Secretary of Human Services Rafael Lopez for a panel discussion on their efforts to restore and improve services for children, youth, and families as we face unprecedented need for care.
Truly understanding the needs of our youth requires us to listen and amplify their voices. This year, in a new MHAMD-produced short film, we will hear directly from Maryland youth and caregivers as they share their experiences navigating the state's behavioral health system and their hopes for the future.
Interested in sponsoring the 2024 Legislative Briefing and Reception as an organization or individual? Go here to learn about our sponsorship opportunities: https://www.mhamd.org/sponsor2024lbr/?utm_...
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