From the Maryland site:

he first step in the family preparation process is to contact the adoption program staff at the Department of Social Services in the county where you reside or staff at a private adoption child placing agency.Check the telephone directory or the Local Offices link on the DHR home page for the telephone number. If you reside in Baltimore City you must call their Foster and Adoption Resource information telephone number, 410-685-8231. Someone will inform you of the next Foster/Adoption Parent Informational Meeting. Local department staffs responsible for preparing families for adoption conduct the meetings. They will provide information about adoption as it pertains to the children in their caseload needing adoptive families and children statewide needing families. Home study requirements will be discussed. Please know that all families are dually approved for foster care and adoption even though you may be only interested in one or the other service. You will also be given details about the mandatory 27 hour Child Welfare League of America PRIDE pre-service training. At that point you may be asked to complete a registration form and you may be given an application packet. You and other prospective adoptive parents will also have an opportunity to ask questions at the meeting.