Damamli is a foster care and independent living preparation program for pregnant and parenting adolescent mothers ages 16-20 who are in the Foster Care System or Department of Juvenile Services System. Damamli is licensed to provide services to a maximum of 24 clients and can accept youth who are pregnant or have no more than two children.

The Specialized Foster Care program was implemented in 1990 by our former HHY employee and ongoing supporter, Robin Semas. In 1993, the program was renamed Family Ties Treatment Foster Care (TFC) and that same year, the Independent Living Program (ILP) opened in Baltimore; together the programs make up Damamli. Damamli was initiated in response to the need, specifically in Baltimore, for a program that could help young women in foster care who were pregnant or parenting. At the time the Damamli program was started, there had been a spike in that population and a lack of programs to meet their needs.

The Damamli program puts the young mothers in foster care or independent living, rather than a group home, because the State identified that young mothers have needs that are unique from those of youth in group homes and that they require specific services that would be best provided in a foster home or independent living environment.

The Damamli program provides young mothers with intensive case management. In our care, our young mothers have a supportive home where they receive life skills training, learn how to manage their time, and learn how to effectively parent. We also work with them on their educational and professional goals with a focus on helping them secure career-oriented positions to ensure stability for themselves and their children. We work with the young women as quickly as possible to secure a job or an education program to ensure the young mothers qualify for daycare assistance from the State.

TFC provides the mothers with the opportunity to raise their children in a safe and nurturing foster home. While in the foster home, clients work with their foster parent and case manager to begin developing a plan for their future and working on the steps needed to accomplish their goals. Foster parents in our Damamli program work closely with clients to help them build their parenting and independent living skills. Once they are prepared, Damamli assists clients in transitioning to a supported independent living apartment.

What makes the Damamli ILP unique is that we individualize the program to meet the needs of the client. The common thread among our young mothers is that they are pregnant or parenting. However, each client is different and each client’s needs are different so we tailor the services they receive from the program according to their individual needs. Young mothers who may not have been traditionally accepted into another independent living program are given a chance at Damamli. We meet clients where they are and work hand in hand to help them achieve their goals.

For all of the youth who come through our doors, addressing and learning how to manage their own mental health is critically important. When young mothers are referred to us, we identify their individual mental health needs and connect the young mothers to mental health resources in the community. We also have a Clinician who comes to the office once a week to provide therapy to our young mothers.

Click here to learn more about the Damamli program