MoAIM, Family League report youth-program gains; council presses for expansion and clarity on out-of-school funding

Representatives from the mayor's Office of African American Male Engagement (MoAIM) and Family League of Baltimore described program gains and collaborative efforts to expand youth engagement and after-school services during the budget hearing.

"Our work now has to be about massive collaboration," said Dr. Bunley, director of MoAIM, who reported a recent grant from the mayor and described college tours and summer programming efforts aimed at keeping young people engaged. Tracy Estep, MoAIM's chief of operations, provided performance details: "We're currently working with 162 individuals, 140 of which are between the ages of 18 and 24," and said the office met or exceeded FY25 goals for employment and school engagement after adjusting reporting calculations.

Daman Millard, CEO of Family League of Baltimore, described the organization's role as a local management board that braids federal, state, local and private funding to support cradle-to-career services. Millard told the committee Family League supports maternal and child home visiting and after-school programming, and said community-school funding under Maryland's Blueprint for the Future has shifted local responsibilities. "We're able to expand from 43 out-of-school-time sites to now 69 schools," he said, describing efforts to scale high-quality programs and reduce duplication with state resources.

Council members praised the programs and pressed for operational details. Several members asked about outreach to Southwest Baltimore, where no CAP center currently exists. Angela Whitaker, director of CAP centers, and Dr. Brooks described mobile and school-based outreach they have used instead of creating new brick-and-mortar centers, while acknowledging a council request for a longer-term plan for on-site services in underserved neighborhoods.

Committee members also asked about collaboration on diversion and engagement programs, including MoAIM's work with the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement's sidestep diversion program. Dr. Bunley said the agencies have had recent conversations and could place youths into MoAIM programming once slots are available, emphasizing that the approach is operational and in early coordination stages rather than a fully launched joint program.

Council members requested written follow-ups on performance numbers, grant splits and any proposed new sites or outreach schedules so they can evaluate service coverage and equity across neighborhoods.