During the recent FIN Committee Session held on January 29, 2025, discussions centered around the Family Connects program, which aims to connect families with essential resources to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in Maryland. This initiative has gained attention due to the state's concerning maternal and infant mortality rates, which rank Maryland between 15th and 17th in the nation.

The program, initially inspired by a bill sponsored several years ago to address these health disparities, has shown promise in Frederick County, where it was implemented using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Family Connects, developed by Duke University, is designed to reduce healthcare costs while providing sustainable support for families with newborns.

However, the committee faced challenges regarding the financial implications of a statewide rollout of the program. Given the current fiscal constraints, members discussed the possibility of extending the existing pilot programs in Frederick County and two other jurisdictions instead of expanding statewide. This approach would allow for a more manageable evaluation of the program's effectiveness across diverse communities in Maryland.

The committee highlighted both risks and opportunities associated with the program. A significant risk identified was the potential lack of funding for the Frederick program, which could jeopardize its continuation. Conversely, there is an opportunity to secure funding that would sustain the program and potentially expand its reach in the future.

In conclusion, the discussions at the FIN Committee Session underscored the importance of addressing maternal and infant health disparities in Maryland while navigating the complexities of funding and program implementation. The next steps will involve exploring funding avenues to ensure the sustainability of Family Connects and evaluating the outcomes of the pilot programs before considering broader implementation.