Media Contact:
Feb 11, 2026
Lilly Price
Press Secretary
lillian.price@maryland.gov
Maryland Deploys New Technology to Connect More Children in Foster Care with Family
New Partnership Builds on Success of Landmark Kinship Law and the Department of Human Services’ Family Matters Philosophy in Placing Hundreds of Maryland Youth with Kin in 2025
Baltimore, MD — Today, the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) announced its partnership with Binti, a software company focused on improving child welfare outcomes by increasing connections with kin. Binti’s “family finding” software enables caseworkers to quickly search multiple databases to locate relatives and trusted adults of children in foster care (out-of-home care).
“We remain steadfast in our goal to put family first, because every child deserves to live in a safe, permanent home surrounded by a loving family,” said Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary Rafael López. “This partnership will help us innovate to drive up kinship placements across Maryland by using cutting-edge technology.”
Research shows that children who live with kin experience improved well-being, reduced trauma, and a higher chance of finding a permanent loving home. Since Binti’s Maryland launch in September 2025, caseworkers have completed more than 4,500 searches and identified over 4,300 potential connections for foster care placement, including relatives and close family friends.
Each search locates 26 connections per child on average. This expansion of a child’s network provides caseworkers with a greater number of contacts and, consequently, more placement options. The software helps caseworkers make timely, informed placement decisions by streamlining search efforts, which were previously conducted manually and could otherwise take days or weeks.
The ability for caseworkers to swiftly locate kin builds on Maryland’s broader success following the enactment of Maryland’s Kinship Law and DHS’s Family Matters philosophy, which promotes kin-first practices statewide.
As of December 2025, the portion of youth in care living with kin has increased by 33%, representing an additional 330 children living with family compared to before the law took effect. Eleven Maryland jurisdictions have doubled their kinship placement rates, and Baltimore City, the jurisdiction with the largest population of youth in care, has seen an 18% increase.
As part of its initiative, DHS updated policies, expanded training, introduced kin-specific licensing, and expanded access to critical financial support. These efforts resulted in a significant increase in licensed kin caregivers, from 25% in December 2024 to 86% in December 2025.
“Maryland has been an incredible partner, and the early momentum we’re seeing reflects their deep commitment to delivering the best outcomes for children in care,” said Felicia Curcuru, CEO and founder of Binti.
About the Maryland Department of Human Services
The Maryland Department of Human Services is the state’s main social service provider, serving over one million Marylanders a year. Through programs like food and energy assistance, child welfare, and cash support, we work to strengthen Maryland’s families and communities.
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