Name:	Sam L. Macer
Title:	Kinship Navigator Training Specialist
Phone:	(410) 916-7276
E-Mail:	samuel.macer@ssw.umaryland.edu
Expertise:	Foster Care, Kinship Care, Training
Bio:	Sam Macer was a foster parent from 2000 through 2015 specializing in providing care for older youth ages 14 to 20 years old. Sam promoted authentic engagement and teaming with the parents of origin to support the children’s well-being and reunification when possible. Sam was Baltimore City Foster Parent of the year in 2011 and served as a Baltimore City Social Service Commissioner. In 2005 Sam co-founded the Maryland Resource Parent Association and currently serves on the Board. President Obama recognized Sam for creating the Country’s first Foster Parent PTA (Parent-Teachers Association) to support effective educational engagement to raise and sustain foster youth academic achievement. In 2017 Sam graduated from the UMSSW with a Masters in Social work and was employed as a case manager in Baltimore City. Sam served as a trainer for the Maryland Foster Parent PTA, Maryland Resource Parent Association, a PRIDE trainer in the Baltimore City Department of Social Services and as a Certified National PTA trainer. In 2019 Sam joined the Child Welfare Academy, University of Maryland as a Kinship Navigator Training Specialist.