Media Contact: Imany Dye, Communications & Marketing Coordinator Iadye@mdnonprofit.org | (443) 238 2336
Baltimore, MD / July 25, 2022 -The Maryland Association of Resources for Families and Youth (MARFY), an association of foster care, group home, and other child and family service providers in Maryland and an integrated program of Maryland Nonprofits, has elected Executive Council officers for 2022-23.
“It has been my privilege to serve as the chair of MARFY for the past two years and I look forward to continuing as the Chair of the Policy Committee,” says Chloe Bernardi, outgoing Chair. “We have an incredible team of dedicated child welfare professionals who are committed to advocating for system change and ensuring that we are providing the highest quality of services for our families and community. I continue to be inspired by MARFY’s accomplishments and am honored to be part of the process.”
Steven Acerno, the Director of Treatment Foster Care at The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region, is the incoming chair. “As the new chair of MARFY’s executive leadership team, I am excited about continuing the good work of our past council leaders,” Acerno says. “It is with humility that I take the reins to continue strong advocacy for the vulnerable children we serve, their families, and for our dedicated private provider community. I am passionate about our work because it is through the work that real, meaningful change can occur for thousands of families across the state. I believe in the work that MARFY does to improve systems, form partnerships on the local and state level, and help pave the way for a better child welfare system in Maryland.”
The newly elective officers, whose terms began on July 1, 2022, are:
Chair: Steven Acerno, Director of Treatment Foster Care, The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region
Vice Chair: Ralph Belk, LCSW-C, LICSW, Deputy Executive Director, Program Administration, The National Center for Children and Families (NCCF)
Policy Co-Chair: Robert Basler, Associate Vice President, Arrow Child and Family Ministries
Policy Co-Chair: Chloe Bernardi, LICSW, LCSW-C, President & CEO, Hearts & Homes for Youth
Secretary: Ashley Wills, Director of Foster Care and Clinical Services, The Arc Baltimore
ABOUT MARFY:
Founded in 1973, the Maryland Association of Resources for Families and Youth merged with Maryland Nonprofits in 2016. The MARFY Executive Council advises staff and the Maryland Nonprofits Board of Directors on matters relating to MARFY members. The mission of MARFY is to empower and support all youth who are part of child welfare services by ensuring they receive flexible, responsive, and safe care that yields long-term success. MARFY convenes foster care, group homes, and other child and family service providers to advocate for a system of care that meets the needs of children and families with a powerful collective voice.
For more information, visit: www.marylandnonprofits.org/what-we-offer/marfy