Resources for expecting and new parents

Maryland offers a wide range of free and low-cost programs designed to support you during pregnancy and as your child grows. Whether you need help securing essential nutrition, finding quality childcare, or navigating your child’s developmental milestones, these resources are here to provide stability and guidance for your family’s future.

Getting Started

If you are unsure which programs fit your current situation, start with these services. You can apply for basic needs like cash, food, and energy assistance at Maryland Benefits, or you can find a map of local services in your county using the Maryland Maternal Health Resource Map from the Maryland Maternal Health Innovation Program.

Health care and food assistance

Apply for the WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) program at Marylandbenefits.gov to receive benefits for healthy food and infant formula. You can also contact your local WIC office. Moms, dads, and any caregivers are encouraged to apply for eligible children in their care.

Use the “Find A Food Bank” tool on the Feeding America website to find free food distribution sites near you.

Getting health insurance 

Find and apply for health insurance at Marylandbenefits.gov and use the “Get an Estimate” tool through Maryland Health Connection to check ways to lower your costs.

The Healthy Babies program provides free health care coverage for pregnant and postpartum women who are not U.S. citizens.

Pregnancy support

Connect to health and peer support

Find in-person support with other expecting moms at a CenteringPregnancy site. If you are on Medicaid, call your Managed Care Organization and ask about CenteringPregnancy.

Explore the MOM program for specialized medical and behavioral health support during pregnancy (for people on Medicaid).

Contact your local family planning clinic or call the All-Options Helpline at (888) 493-0092 for free, confidential support.

Getting ready for birth

Create a birthing plan

Find a birthing hospital to get the care you want during labor and delivery.

Find a Doula for support before, during, and after birth. If you are on Medicaid, your Doula services may be free. Call your Managed Care Organization for more information. 

Learn about newborn safety

Learn about safe sleep to reduce the risk of sleep-related infant death.

Explore Maryland Kids in Safety Seats for help getting or using a car seat.

Employed? Know your leave options

Ask your employer if you can get parental leave through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the Maryland Parental Leave Act (MPLA).

After your baby is born (and for families with young children)

Basic needs and health

Depending on where you live, you may be able to connect directly with a diaper bank in your area:

• Maryland Diaper Bank serves families in Prince George's, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's counties.
• Greater DC Diaper Bank serves families living in or near the Washington, DC metro area, including parts of Maryland.

If you’re worried about lead in your home, the Healthy Homes for Healthy Kids program may be able to remove lead hazards from your home at no cost. Call 1-866-703-3266 to find out if you qualify.

Children with asthma may qualify for home visiting services through the Maryland Department of Health.

Plan for your child’s financial future

Open a Maryland 529 plan to save for your child's education — you may qualify for a $250–$500 state contribution.

You can also open a free 530A Account for your child. U.S. citizen children born between 2025 and 2028 can receive a $1,000 deposit from the government to get started.

Family support and child development

Visit your local Patty Center for free child care and parent support for children ages 0 to 3 years old (often up to 5 years old).

Visit your local Judy Center Early Learning Hub (located within your school zone) for free learning activities and family support for children ages 0 to 5 years old.

Explore the Parent Encouragement Program (PEP) for free and paid parenting classes for families with children ages 2 and up.

Ask your child's doctor about HealthySteps, a program where child development specialists join your child's doctor visits. 

Explore zerotothree.org for additional parenting resources.

Early learning and child care

Use Maryland EXCELS: Find a Program to search for quality-rated child care near you.

Explore child care scholarships to help pay for child care.

If your child is 3 or 4 years old, check if they qualify for free or low-cost pre-Kindergarten through Maryland's public pre-K program.

Find a Head Start or Early Head Start program near you for early learning and family support for children ages 0 to 5 years old.

Support for your child's development 

If your child has a disability or you suspect a developmental delay, learn what you can do through early intervention.

For behavioral health concerns, call (855) 632-4477 to reach Maryland Behavioral Health Integration in Pediatric Primary Care (BHIPP).

Support for expecting and new fathers

The Father's Playbook app has guidance designed for dads navigating pregnancy and early parenthood. 

Visit Fatherhood.gov for tips and tools covering everything from supporting your partner during pregnancy to staying involved in your child's early years. 

Support for specific family situations

Grandparents or relatives 55+ caring for children under 18 may be eligible for support through the Maryland Family Caregiver Support Program.

Foster (resource) parents can visit the Maryland Out-Of-Home Care program for support, training, and resources specific to families providing care for children in the foster system.

If you are a refugee or asylum-seeker, contact the Maryland Office for Refugees and Asylees for resettlement assistance, employment services, and connections to community resources.

Formerly incarcerated parents can receive family support by texting “Reentry” to 898-211.You can also find reentry resources on the 211 website.

If you are seeking child support from the other parent, visit Marylandbenefits.gov and click "Create Account" to apply through the Maryland Child Support Administration.

If you are experiencing grief after the loss of an infant or child, reach out to the Center for Infant and Child Loss for free, compassionate support.

Other support for families

Financial and education help 

Apply for federal financial aid for higher education through FAFSA at studentaid.gov and for state aid through the Maryland Higher Education Commission. 

Undocumented students may also qualify for Maryland state financial assistance.

Housing, work, and daily needs

Apply for the Housing Choice Voucher Program (also known as Section 8) for rental assistance that helps eligible families afford safe housing.

Find employment opportunities, job training programs, and adult education resources through the Maryland Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning.

Safety and mental health 

Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.

You can also visit the 988 website or go to a walk-in mental health or urgent care center near you.

Call the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence at (800) 799-7233 for free, confidential support, safety planning, and referrals to local shelters.

Explore Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence for gun safety resources.

Not sure where to start?

Call 211 or explore linkudmv.org or findhelp.org to find food, housing, health care, child care, and more.

Visit a local office near you to get in-person help with housing, health resources, child care, disability services, or other benefits.

Local Maryland Department of Human Services offices can answer questions and help you apply for programs. Visit dhs.maryland.gov/local-offices/ to find an office near you.