Maternal and child health outcomes are determined by a complex series of social and environmental factors. As well, disparities in maternal and child health outcomes exist along racial and socioeconomic lines.

During our June conversation about Reopening our Workplaces, we decided to re-convene toward the end of the summer. Now that we have a better sense of what schools are doing, we are creating a space to discuss your current questions and considerations around returning to the office and supporting your employees through the end of the year.

The Baltimore Sun reports that the Maryland Transit Administration has “proposed to slash its bus service in the Baltimore region next year by 20% — eliminating 25 bus lines and reducing service on 12 others — due to falling fare revenue and reduced funding from other sources caused by the coronavirus pandemic.” Join us for a conversation with advocates about the cuts and possible alternatives, and to get an update on the advocacy work that is underway.

Maryland Philanthropy Network’s School-Centered Neighborhood Investment Initiative funded a research analysis of the 21st Century School Buildings Program efforts. All MPN members are invited to hear from the research team: Ariel H. Bierbaum, MCP, PhD; Erin O’Keefe, MPP; and Alisha Butler, MA; about the report’s findings and the overarching questions they raise about the 21CSBP. These questions bridge their findings with the current context and aim to prompt reflection and additional conversations about the 21CSBP in the face of the “dual pandemics” of COVID-19 and systemic racism in the United States.

Maryland Philanthropy Network’s Health Funders Affinity Group is pleased to host Deputy Secretary Alyssa Lord for a conversation on her efforts to work collaboratively across local, city, state, and federal public and private sectors to improve the implementation of care coordination services by establishing and expanding community behavioral health programs. She will speak about Maryland Department of Health (MDH) initiatives supporting suicide prevention, and MDH’s campaign to amplify awareness of substance use disorders and promote evidence-based treatments by supporting communities and professionals who make recovery possible.