MD Gov. Moore Establishes New Office of Children, Installs Carmel Martin as Head

[Anonymous]

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced a new state-level office of children and installed Biden staffer Carmel Martin as the head of the agency.

Here's the press release: https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/governor-moore-signs-executive-order-establishing-the-governor%E2%80%99s-office-for-children-and-governor%E2%80%99s-office-of-crime-prevent.aspx

Governor Wes Moore today signed two executive orders reaffirming the Moore-Miller administration's commitment to fighting child poverty and public safety throughout Maryland. The executive orders establish the Governor’s Office for Children and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy.

“Now is the time for us to say in one voice that we refuse to accept childhood poverty and that we refuse to accept cycles of crime for certain children in certain neighborhoods as a fact of life in the State of Maryland,” said Gov. Moore. “We are going to confront both of these challenges together and this is what these executive orders are all about. We are going to eradicate child poverty, we are going to break cycles of crime in our communities, and we are going to do it together. That is the legacy all of us will leave.”

The Governor’s Office for Children will lead statewide efforts to build a comprehensive network of supports, programs, and services for children and their families to promote social and emotional well-being; reduce food insecurity; combat youth homelessness; expand access to health services; improve education outcomes and job readiness; expand access to good jobs; and increase economic opportunity in sustainable ways. The office will drive a holistic, coordinated approach within state government and across public and private sectors at the federal, state, and local levels.

“Governor Moore and I are committed to ensuring every child in our state has opportunities for growth, education, and a nurturing community,” said Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller. “We will never take lightly our responsibility to the children of Maryland. Today’s executive orders are a continuation of our administration’s strategy to tackle child poverty with purpose and intentionality.”

During the press conference, Governor Moore announced the appointment of Special Secretary for the Governor's Office for Children and Senior Advisor to the Governor on Economic Mobility Carmel Martin. Martin will also lead the Children’s Cabinet, which comprises secretaries from various state agencies and develops and implements coordinated State policies and programs designed to improve the well-being of children and families.

“This is one of the richest states in the richest country in the world. Allowing poverty to thrive is a choice and it's one that this administration is not going to make,” said Governor's Office for Children Special Secretary and Senior Advisor on Economic Mobility Carmel Martin. “I am so thankful to serve under Governor Moore in this war against child poverty and for a state in which every Marylander can thrive.”

If you're looking for a little more background on Carmel Martin, read this: https://www.the74million.org/article/education-policy-ghost-carmel-martin-is-bidens-most-important-staffer-youve-never-heard-of/

If you're wondering why Gov. Moore is making this move, it looks like he decided having one agency deal with childhood issues and crime and prevention was too much for one agency to handle. The state-level agency the office of children is being spun out from is the office formerly known as the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. The head of that office, Dorothy Lennig, will stay on in the newly formed Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy

[Anonymous]

Have they defined a child yet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have they defined a child yet?

They'll send the next three years officially defining what a child is. Meanwhile nothing will change except perhaps more bureaucrats on the taxpayer's dime looking for problems and having conferences on them and authoring policies to create even more bureaucrats to look at the problem, but never actually solving them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have they defined a child yet?

They'll send the next three years officially defining what a child is. Meanwhile nothing will change except perhaps more bureaucrats on the taxpayer's dime looking for problems and having conferences on them and authoring policies to create even more bureaucrats to look at the problem, but never actually solving them.

All I know is that I support this program 100%, because if you don't support it, you don't support children.

[Anonymous]

With our taxes.

[Anonymous]

One of the first initiatives of the newly established office of children was announced today called the ENOUGH Act: https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/governor-moore-unveils-enough-act-with-support-from-state-and-local-officials-and-community-leaders.aspx

Governor Wes Moore today unveiled the ENOUGH Act, a first-in-the-nation state-level effort to end concentrated poverty. Joined at LIFE Ministries Church in Brooklyn by Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller; Senate President Bill Ferguson; Speaker of the House Adrienne A. Jones; Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott; Baltimore City Councilwoman Phylicia Porter; Baltimore Community Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr. Shanaysha Sauls; and Life Ministries Church Pastor Amin Flowers, Governor Moore laid out the details of the legislation, which will provide support and resources in communities to address the root causes of poverty.

“ENOUGH will be the rallying cry not just here in Baltimore, but ENOUGH will be the rallying cry all throughout the state of Maryland. We’ve had enough with poverty, crime and a system where generational challenges go unaddressed. We’ve had enough of the same neighborhoods facing the same issues – and coming up with the same solutions that drive the same results,” said Gov. Moore. “We will help transform distressed communities into places with top schools; good jobs, safe neighborhoods, quality housing, and economic momentum. That’s the future we’re trying to build. And we’re going to build it in partnership.”

“Ending the cycle of generational poverty that burdens children and families has been at the heart of our administration’s mission since day one,” said Lt. Gov. Miller. “Today represents the next phase in this important work. Through the ENOUGH Act, we will direct resources to the communities that need it most with targeted investments that will support the holistic development of safer, stronger, more economically prosperous communities.”

The ENOUGH Act uses place-based interventions in communities with disproportionately high numbers of children living in poverty—rural, suburban and urban. Communities that show an ability to assess existing pathways to success, coordinate across sectors, and address challenges strategically and in a holistic manner can apply for competitive grant funding of up to $10 million per year. The program will be run through the Governor’s Office of Children.

Honestly, it reads like a bunch of empty jargon and buzzwords. So I don't know what the ENOUGH Act actually means, but "ending concentrated poverty" is a high goal to set for any initiative. I doubt it'll do that and I'm worried it'll just end up as yet another nothingburger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of the first initiatives of the newly established office of children was announced today called the ENOUGH Act: https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/governor-moore-unveils-enough-act-with-support-from-state-and-local-officials-and-community-leaders.aspx

Governor Wes Moore today unveiled the ENOUGH Act, a first-in-the-nation state-level effort to end concentrated poverty. Joined at LIFE Ministries Church in Brooklyn by Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller; Senate President Bill Ferguson; Speaker of the House Adrienne A. Jones; Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott; Baltimore City Councilwoman Phylicia Porter; Baltimore Community Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr. Shanaysha Sauls; and Life Ministries Church Pastor Amin Flowers, Governor Moore laid out the details of the legislation, which will provide support and resources in communities to address the root causes of poverty.

“ENOUGH will be the rallying cry not just here in Baltimore, but ENOUGH will be the rallying cry all throughout the state of Maryland. We’ve had enough with poverty, crime and a system where generational challenges go unaddressed. We’ve had enough of the same neighborhoods facing the same issues – and coming up with the same solutions that drive the same results,” said Gov. Moore. “We will help transform distressed communities into places with top schools; good jobs, safe neighborhoods, quality housing, and economic momentum. That’s the future we’re trying to build. And we’re going to build it in partnership.”

“Ending the cycle of generational poverty that burdens children and families has been at the heart of our administration’s mission since day one,” said Lt. Gov. Miller. “Today represents the next phase in this important work. Through the ENOUGH Act, we will direct resources to the communities that need it most with targeted investments that will support the holistic development of safer, stronger, more economically prosperous communities.”

The ENOUGH Act uses place-based interventions in communities with disproportionately high numbers of children living in poverty—rural, suburban and urban. Communities that show an ability to assess existing pathways to success, coordinate across sectors, and address challenges strategically and in a holistic manner can apply for competitive grant funding of up to $10 million per year. The program will be run through the Governor’s Office of Children.

Honestly, it reads like a bunch of empty jargon and buzzwords. So I don't know what the ENOUGH Act actually means, but "ending concentrated poverty" is a high goal to set for any initiative. I doubt it'll do that and I'm worried it'll just end up as yet another nothingburger.

Sounds like local governments and NPOs need to apply for grants to look for place-based solutions. Truly transformative.

[Anonymous]

Most cushy 6 figure jobs created for bureaucrats!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have they defined a child yet?

They'll send the next three years officially defining what a child is. Meanwhile nothing will change except perhaps more bureaucrats on the taxpayer's dime looking for problems and having conferences on them and authoring policies to create even more bureaucrats to look at the problem, but never actually solving them.

All I know is that I support this program 100%, because if you don't support it, you don't support children.

That's correct. Anyone disagreeing with the governor's policy and bureaucratic response doesn't support children.

[Anonymous]

https://www.marylandmatters.org/2024/01/23/analysts-a-lot-to-like-in-moore-budget-but-minimal-progress-on-looming-deficits/

By next year, the state’s projected structural budget deficit grows to $1 billion. In fiscal 2027, the last year of Moore’s term, it grows to $1.3 billion. A year later, it more than doubles to $3 billion — about 12% of the general fund revenues projected for that year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of the first initiatives of the newly established office of children was announced today called the ENOUGH Act: https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/governor-moore-unveils-enough-act-with-support-from-state-and-local-officials-and-community-leaders.aspx

Governor Wes Moore today unveiled the ENOUGH Act, a first-in-the-nation state-level effort to end concentrated poverty. Joined at LIFE Ministries Church in Brooklyn by Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller; Senate President Bill Ferguson; Speaker of the House Adrienne A. Jones; Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott; Baltimore City Councilwoman Phylicia Porter; Baltimore Community Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr. Shanaysha Sauls; and Life Ministries Church Pastor Amin Flowers, Governor Moore laid out the details of the legislation, which will provide support and resources in communities to address the root causes of poverty.

“ENOUGH will be the rallying cry not just here in Baltimore, but ENOUGH will be the rallying cry all throughout the state of Maryland. We’ve had enough with poverty, crime and a system where generational challenges go unaddressed. We’ve had enough of the same neighborhoods facing the same issues – and coming up with the same solutions that drive the same results,” said Gov. Moore. “We will help transform distressed communities into places with top schools; good jobs, safe neighborhoods, quality housing, and economic momentum. That’s the future we’re trying to build. And we’re going to build it in partnership.”

“Ending the cycle of generational poverty that burdens children and families has been at the heart of our administration’s mission since day one,” said Lt. Gov. Miller. “Today represents the next phase in this important work. Through the ENOUGH Act, we will direct resources to the communities that need it most with targeted investments that will support the holistic development of safer, stronger, more economically prosperous communities.”

The ENOUGH Act uses place-based interventions in communities with disproportionately high numbers of children living in poverty—rural, suburban and urban. Communities that show an ability to assess existing pathways to success, coordinate across sectors, and address challenges strategically and in a holistic manner can apply for competitive grant funding of up to $10 million per year. The program will be run through the Governor’s Office of Children.

Honestly, it reads like a bunch of empty jargon and buzzwords. So I don't know what the ENOUGH Act actually means, but "ending concentrated poverty" is a high goal to set for any initiative. I doubt it'll do that and I'm worried it'll just end up as yet another nothingburger.

"We will help transform distressed communities into places with top schools; good jobs, safe neighborhoods, quality housing, and economic momentum.” Progressives live in the land of make believe.

[Anonymous]

While Gov. Moore is busy setting up an Office of the Children, his Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services is running from questions and accountability:

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most cushy 6 figure jobs created for bureaucrats!

When is the Office of Taxpayers being organized?

[Anonymous]

Is there a behind-the-scenes rift emerging between Moore and Schiraldi? This article attempts to read between the lines: https://wjla.com/news/local/schiraldi-silent-about-juvenile-crime-crackdown-raising-questions-about-rift-in-annapolis-luke-clippinger-wes-moore-democrats-maryland-children-violent-violence-state-law-police-punishment-accountability#

[Anonymous]

Look, this is basically why he was elected. He built his fame largely on a critique of the effects on children of those concentrated areas of poverty. Maryland is a great state with one really serious problem—the situation in Baltimore (and to a lesser extent, the PG area bordering DC). If we just throw up our hands and say it will never get better, that’s awful. I remember when The Wire came out and everyone decried how awful parts of Baltimore had become …. But then nothing happened. If this can make something happen, I’m all in favor of it. The idea that we are otherwise going to let a large group of children grow up in grinding poverty with no real education and no real path out is unacceptable. I don’t know the solution. Looking back 100 years, NYC seemed to have the right approach with an amazing public education system and a network of great and basically free community colleges. I know so many “greatest generation” folks who grew up in grinding poverty — some with completely absent parents — who went on to great things thanks to the NYc public schools and City College. We probably also need a lot of Black professional mentors starting at the MS level (and continuing in HS), and free summer camps starting in MS to get kids out of the city and show them something different. And community policing and SROs with ongoing training and support for those police officers so they understand what community policing really is (which some really do understand already, but not all).

I’m not sure where we find people to staff all these programs though, even if we could find them. I personally would be in favor of a 2 year national service commitment — you can pick military, peace corps, Americorps, teaching, police (maybe — would have to think about whether that would be worthwhile), or paramedic. I’m not a fan of the draft but I do wonder if the end of the draft really increased poverty in some communities—you have these non-college bound 18 year olds without much maturity and no productive way to spend their time, in both rural and urban areas. A lot of people, especially young men, need more structure in their life from 18-20. The military was one way to bridge that but there are lots of other ways.