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Pregnancy & family help in Maryland

45 organizations in Maryland offering help with pregnancy, housing, food, childcare, adoption and more. We checked each one before listing it, but hours and services change, so please call ahead.

Adoption

  • Adoptions Together (Paths for Families)

    Adoption agency with over 30 years' experience: infant and foster care adoption, home studies and post-adoption support, plus free, confidential options counseling for expectant parents (call or text (800) 439-0233). Offices in Greenbelt and Catonsville, plus DC and Virginia.

  • Catholic Charities of Baltimore — Adoption Services

    Home studies and post-placement services for domestic and international adopters, and search and reunion help and virtual support groups for adoptees and birthparents placed through Catholic Charities. It no longer arranges placements.

  • One Church One Child of Maryland

    Adoption education and recruitment with churches and faith-based organizations, to find adoptive families for Maryland children in foster care, plus a community adoption family support group.

  • The Barker Adoption Foundation

    Nonprofit adoption agency since 1945 supporting expectant parents, birth parents, adoptees and adoptive parents: domestic, foster care and international adoption, and post-adoption services. 24/7 pregnancy hotline: (888) 731-6601.

  • Maryland DHS — Adoption & Guardianship

    Statewide

    Adopting or becoming the guardian of a child in Maryland foster care. Start with your local Department of Social Services.

Free / Subsidized Childcare

  • Catholic Charities Head Start of Baltimore City

    Head Start and Early Head Start for Baltimore City children from birth to age 5.

  • The Y in Central Maryland — Head Start & Early Head Start

    Head Start and Early Head Start at over 40 locations in Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Anne Arundel County, including prenatal education for expectant families. Enrolled families get a Y family membership.

Churches / Baby Closets

  • C-4 Clothes Closet & Baby Closet

    Free Clothes Closet and Baby Closet for Montgomery County residents, run by the Colesville Council of Community Congregations. Open Tuesday and Friday, 9-11 a.m.; shop every other month. Bring photo ID and proof of Montgomery County residency.

  • Mountain City Church Children's Clothes Closet

    Free gently used children's clothing, infant through high school sizes, on the first Thursday of each month, 6-7:30 p.m. For an urgent need between closet nights, fill out the form on the page.

Clothing / Supplies

  • C-4 Clothes Closet & Baby Closet

    Free Clothes Closet and Baby Closet for Montgomery County residents, run by the Colesville Council of Community Congregations. Open Tuesday and Friday, 9-11 a.m.; shop every other month. Bring photo ID and proof of Montgomery County residency.

Domestic Violence

  • Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence

    Statewide

    Find the domestic violence program serving your county. Programs may offer a 24-hour crisis hotline, safe shelter, counseling and advocacy, and all conversations are confidential.

Employment

  • Dress for Success Greater Baltimore

    Professional clothing and job-readiness support for women.

  • Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake — Job Training

    Job readiness training, certification courses (including CNA, ServSafe and DOT flagger) and job placement help in the Baltimore region and on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

  • Maryland American Job Centers

    Statewide

    Free job search help and training at American Job Centers in every Maryland county and Baltimore City. Find yours in the county directory.

Potential Financial Assistance

  • Catholic Charities of Baltimore

    Help for individuals and families facing homelessness and poverty: rent help for Baltimore City residents through the Samaritan Center, shelters such as Anna's House in Harford County, and case management.

  • St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore

    Four emergency shelters that accept families and single adults (enrollment is by referral; dial 2-1-1), plus a Fells Point day center with meals, clothing, health care and showers.

  • The Salvation Army — Potomac Division (Maryland)

    Emergency help with rent, mortgage and utility bills from the Salvation Army's Potomac Division, whose local teams assess each family's needs.

Food Programs

Health Assistance

  • Chase Brexton Health Care

    Primary care, dental and pharmacy services at five Maryland locations, including Columbia and Glen Burnie.

  • HealthCare Access Maryland (HCAM)

    Help applying for or renewing health coverage through Maryland Health Connection (call to book an appointment), help for Baltimore City Medicaid members, and maternal health home visiting.

  • Nurse-Family Partnership — Maryland

    A registered nurse visits expectant parents at home during pregnancy and the child's first years, about two and a half years in all. Maryland programs: Baltimore City and St. Mary's County. Nurse-Family Partnership is now run by Changent.

  • Maryland Medicaid & MCHP

    Statewide

    Free health coverage for eligible uninsured children under 19 whose family earns too much for Medicaid but not enough for private insurance. Apply any time through Maryland Health Connection.

Housing Assistance & Shelters

  • Catholic Charities of Baltimore

    Help for individuals and families facing homelessness and poverty: rent help for Baltimore City residents through the Samaritan Center, shelters such as Anna's House in Harford County, and case management.

  • Manna House

    Breakfast, showers and clothing, and case management for people experiencing homelessness in Baltimore.

  • St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore

    Four emergency shelters that accept families and single adults (enrollment is by referral; dial 2-1-1), plus a Fells Point day center with meals, clothing, health care and showers.

Infant & Baby Equipment

Mental Health & Postpartum Assistance

  • Nurse-Family Partnership — Maryland

    A registered nurse visits expectant parents at home during pregnancy and the child's first years, about two and a half years in all. Maryland programs: Baltimore City and St. Mary's County. Nurse-Family Partnership is now run by Changent.

  • The Family Tree

    Parenting classes, home visiting, support groups and a 24-hour Parenting HelpLine for parents and caregivers.

Parenting Classes

  • The Family Tree

    Parenting classes, home visiting, support groups and a 24-hour Parenting HelpLine for parents and caregivers.

  • Patty Centers (Maryland Family Support Centers)

    Statewide

    Free programs for expectant parents and families with children from birth through age 4: parenting support, school readiness, and adult education (GED, ESOL) and job readiness, at centers across Maryland.

Pregnancy Centers

  • Centro Tepeyac Women's Center

    Free pregnancy tests and support, and weekly parenting, pregnancy, faith and English classes, in Silver Spring. After hours, call or text (301) 325-9454.

  • Gabriel Network

    Angel Friends and church partners give practical, caring help to pregnant and parenting mothers in Maryland and Washington, DC.

  • Rockville Women's Center

    Pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STD testing, and parenting and mentoring support in Rockville.

  • Women's Clinics Maryland

    Pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and no-cost STD/STI testing and treatment at clinics in Annapolis, Bowie-Crofton and Severna Park.

Special Needs Assistance

  • Easterseals DC MD VA

    Education, health care and employment services for children and adults, including early childhood development and early intervention, at 13 locations across DC, Maryland and Virginia.

  • Pathfinders for Autism

    Statewide

    Maryland's largest autism organization: a resource center and helpline, plus free workshops and recreational events for families.

  • The Arc Maryland

    Statewide

    Advocacy and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Find your local chapter of The Arc.

  • The Parents' Place of Maryland

    Statewide

    Help for families finding education, health care and behavioral health services for a family member with a disability, special health care need or mental health condition. Toll-free: (800) 394-5694.

Support for Fathers

  • Center for Urban Families — Baltimore Responsible Fatherhood Services

    Baltimore Responsible Fatherhood Services, including an eight-week program (DADMAP) that helps non-custodial fathers with low incomes build parenting skills, and the STRIVE job program.

  • HOC Fatherhood Initiative (Montgomery County)

    Program for Montgomery County fathers using a National Fatherhood Initiative curriculum, with peer support and awards for education and vocational training. It has served more than 1,300 fathers since 2016.

  • National Fatherhood Initiative

    Evidence-based fatherhood programs and print resources that organizations across the country use to support dads.

Transportation

  • Maryland Medicaid rides to medical appointments

    Statewide

    Maryland Medicaid covers non-emergency rides to covered medical care for members with no other means of transportation. Ask your county health department's transportation program.

Looking for more? Nationwide hotlines and programs that also serve Maryland are in the full directory search. Know an organization that belongs here? Tell us about it.