Strengthen Families Action 12. Not Welfare Make Government Work for Families Strong and healthy families are essential to reducing and preventing crime. The family is typically the first and most important influence on children.
Research demonstrates that many risk and resiliency factors are rooted in family life.
Quality child care and parental support programs at the beginning of a child's life greatly reduce the likelihood that today's babies will grow up to be tomorrow's juvenile delinquents and criminals . As described below, the State employs an extensive array of resources and new initiatives designed to strengthen families. Maryland's network of 26 Family Support Centers supports programs and policies that strengthen families with young children. Through free, comprehensive services, either on-site or through referral, the centers target parents and their children from birth through age three. At these centers, family members develop more effective skills and fulfill their school, employment and family life goals.