new & notable
FIND A FRIEND
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eing a 39-year-old mom who loves superheroes as much if not more than my 13-year-old son does can make trying to find adult friends a bit awkward. Most adults want to talk politics when I want to talk about the next Phase in the Marvel Universe. Whether you are new to town, coming out of your mommy daze, or just realizing you’d like to have some platonic adult interaction, making friends is hard. Instantly connecting with someone seems so easy as a kid but as an adult I struggle with it. I live far enough away from where I grew up that hanging out with my childhood friends needs a master plan of action trying to figure out traffic, what to do with the kids, how long the dog can be home alone, etc. And trying to find someone in a town you don’t know many people that have your same interests and want to hang out is like finding a needle in a haystack. I mean there’s an app for everything right? Here are a few apps to find friends and help you expand your social circle. —Jenny Cardoza
Bumble BFF Bumble BFF to help you swipe right and find people with your same interests nearby that are looking for friendship.
Nextdoor Stay up-to-date with what’s goin’ on in your neighborhood and get to know your neighbors with this app.
Meetup Learn a new trade, take up a new hobby, or go somewhere and have fun. Meetup will help you find people wanting the same things so you can meetup and learn together.
Friended Post icebreakers, guess what people’s interests are, and make connections using this app.
IRL Get off your phone already! Find fellow hobbiyists and nearby events with IRL. This app makes planning and meeting up a breeeze.
Friender This app helps you pick activities you like and matches you up with others who are into the same activities so you can hang.
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chesapeakefamily.com
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NOVEMBER 2019
Military Families get Expanded Child Care Options Through Maryland EXCELS
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aryland military families now have more choices when it comes to quality child care. According a report by the Department of Defense (DOD) Manpower Data Center, just under 30,000 active duty US military personnel call Maryland home. Thanks to an important initiative by the DOD, the availability of child care options for those with children has expanded. The DOD has launched a pilot program known as Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood, or MCCYN-PLUS, which offers fee assistance to eligible military families. The pilot program includes child care programs that are participating in Maryland EXCELS (Excellence Counts in Early Learning and School Age Care) and meet the eligibility requirements for MCCYN. Maryland EXCELS, with over 4,600 participants, is the state’s quality rating and improvement system for early education and child care programs. One Anne Arundel County family is hopeful the new program will make an impact for local military families like theirs. Maya Madigal’s husband, Rene, serves in the US Navy. “I have three children in child care,” she says. “It was extremely hard to find affordable childcare and we had the
additional difficult of having special needs children. I do believe the pilot program will absolutely help easing the worry of finding daycare and in an affordable price when we already have so much to worry about.” Thousands of families throughout Maryland count on Maryland EXCELS to provide guidance when searching for child care. The rating system builds on the state’s rigorous child care licensing requirements, and informs families about the additional standards met by the early care program of their choice. The Maryland EXCELS ratings reflect nationally accepted best practices in early care and educational experiences, such as positive behavioral supports and individualized instruction. It is also part of a nationwide effort to enhance child care and early education opportunities for families. “Children of military families deserve the very best child care available, and Maryland EXCELS is a valuable resource to assist them in finding that excellent care,” announced Governor Larry Hogan. “We are proud to be involved in providing safe and affordable child care for the families of those who serve.” —Joyce Heid
