TFN About Us

About the Talbot Family Network

Talbot Family Network concentrates on prevention and early intervention services to children, youth and families in Talbot County. Tasks include planning, developing and monitoring family-oriented, community-based programs that are culturally relevant.  To prevent fragmented and duplicated services in the county, Talbot Family Network serves as the coordinating body for community-level grants and initiatives.

Collaborating with Talbot Family Network, a number of community task forces develop long-range plans based on proven or innovative strategies as well as on previously collected local, regional, state and national data. These efforts focus on two outcomes: Children are Safe in their Homes and Community and Children Enter School Ready to Learn.

Role of Talbot Family Network in Talbot County

Local Management Boards receive an annual allocation of State funding from Children's Cabinet.  Each Local Management Board is then responsible for insuring that services are provided to families in its jurisdiction. In addition, as more funds are identified and secured, the Local Management Board must carry out these responsibilities:

• To continually assess the needs and identify gaps in services to children, youth and families in Talbot County.
• To develop and enhance communication between and among agencies and organizations that serve children, youth and families through partnership building.
• To plan, coordinate, and evaluate programs and services that benefit children, youth and families so as to improve child and family outcomes.
• To secure, distribute and monitor public/private funding for the benefit of children, youth and families.
• To provide information to the public on the status of services for children, youth and families.

History of Talbot Family Network

Local Management Boards were established in response to SB 588 and HB 1055 to reform the State's Human Service Delivery System for children and families in Maryland. The Mid Shore Council for Children, Youth and Families served as the regional Local Management Board beginning in 1990. The five county governments of Kent, Queen Anne's, Talbot, Caroline and Dorchester counties appointed Board members to the Mid Shore Council for Children, Youth and Families. Caroline County created its own Local Management Board in July 1996.

On March 13, 1997, the Talbot County Council notified the Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families of their intent to establish a Local Management Board in Talbot County. The Talbot County Local Management Board was established in July 1997. In June 1998, the Board changed the name to the Talbot Family Network.

Page last modified 05/09/14 19:09:00