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Welcome to the Latest News page where you will find the latest news and information on the Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency. This page is updated regularly, so check back often.

 

From Kathleen Rebbert Franklin, LCSW-C, Director Service Access and Practice Innovation, Behavioral Health Administration:

On behalf of the Maryland Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) has created a short survey to learn more about issues in recruiting and retaining members of the behavioral health workforce.  BHA and UMB would appreciate if you would make this survey available to your staff who provide services and supports to consumers/patients, and also to anyone at your agency that is responsible for hiring or other human resources decisions.

The survey is anonymous and takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.  Please note that because this anonymous survey is not collecting any identifying information, the survey needs to be completed in one session; you will not be able to stop your survey in the middle and then finish it later.  The link to the survey is:

Maryland Behavioral Health Workforce Survey 2019

BHA and UMB will use responses to the survey to determine what can be done to improve the experiences of those providing behavioral health services to children or adults with mental health, substance use, or co-occurring disorders.  By improving the experience of working in the behavioral heath field, we hope we can also improve th quality of care provided to consumers/patients.  We are asking that people complete the survey by October 15, 2019.

If you have questions, please contact UMB at 2019.workforce.survey@gmail.com.

Posted: 09/20/2019

Focused on a Multi-Pronged Approach to Addressing the Opioid Crisis

ANNAPOLIS, MD –The Hogan-Rutherford administration has officially proclaimed September as National Recovery Month in Maryland. This observance is held every year to educate citizens that substance use treatment and mental health services can help those with mental and substance use disorders to live healthy and rewarding lives. 

With this proclamation, Maryland recognizes the millions who are in recovery from mental and substance use disorders. This is an opportunity to remember that help is available and that people who suffer from addiction often recover. Recovery Month is also a time to acknowledge the harmful effects of stigma, which often stops people from seeking treatment for substance use disorders and complicates the public’s understanding of this public health crisis. 

In observance of Recovery Month, Government House will be illuminated in purple on September 9. Additionally, officials from various state agencies plan to attend events being held across the state throughout the month to mark this important occasion.

"During Recovery Month, we seek to remind Marylanders not only of the dangers and consequences of substance abuse, but to break down the stigma surrounding the disease of addiction and to let those suffering know that they are not alone and that there is hope and help out there for them,” said Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford. “Our administration continues to remain laser-focused on addressing substance abuse and the opioid epidemic through a holistic, multi-pronged approach, including prevention, enforcement and treatment.”

“September is a time for communities all over Maryland to reflect on the challenges that addiction and opioids present to our state and others,” observed Steve Schuh, executive director of the Maryland Opioid Operational Command Center. “With the Hogan administration's support, we are making great progress in this fight, and we are expertly positioned for a healthy future – but there is no time to rest.”

Maryland continues to serve as a leader in the fight against the opioid epidemic with an organized response that is considered a model for other states. Maryland’s opioid response includes programs in the areas of Prevention & Education, Enforcement & Public Safety and Treatment & Recovery – efforts that have led to a decrease in opioid-related fatalities. 

On August 29, the Opioid Operational Command Center, in coordination with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, announced nearly $10 million in grants to fight the heroin and opioid epidemic during fiscal year 2020. The funding for fiscal year 2020 is part of a $50 million, five-year commitment from the administration announced in 2017. 

“Maryland is attacking the opioid crisis and substance use disorder using every available tool,” said Schuh. “We aim to stop this issue in its tracks, and we will not rest until this grave threat to our state and its citizens has been thwarted.” 

Before It’s Too Late is the state’s effort to bring awareness to the opioid epidemic and to mobilize resources for effective prevention, enforcement and treatment. Marylanders struggling with a substance use disorder can find help at BeforeItsTooLateMD.org; through our state's crisis hotline, CALL 211, PRESS 1; or by texting their ZIP code to 898-211. For more information on National Recovery Month, visit SAMHSA’s dedicated web site at RecoveryMonth.gov.

Posted: 09/11/2019

Revised September 9, 2019

Click here for the current list of Questions and Answers.

Posted: 08/21/2019

UPDATE - TRANSITION MAILBOX - SEPTEMBER 5, 2019

Beacon Health Options has created a new email box for Providers to submit questions related to the ASO transition.  

The email box is:  MRLD-ASO-Transition@beaconhealthoptions.com. 

Please copy the referenced email address into a new email for sending your question(s).  

Posted: 09/06/2019

Attention:  Anne Arundel County Substance Use and Mental Health Providers.

Anne Arundel County Department of Health and the Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency will sponsor a provider meeting.

October 15, 2019 at 9am-11a
Health Department
3 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Lower Level Conference Room
Annapolis, MD 21401

Click here for more information.

Posted: 08/28/2019

The Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency (AACMHA) desires to identify vendors to provide Mental Health Case Management: Care Coordination for Children and Youth, which includes young adults up to age 21 for each of the following counties:  Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Calvert, St. Mary’s and Charles counties beginning on or about November 4, 2019.  Offerors must specify which county or counties they intend to serve.

The deadline for submission of proposals is 3 pm Eastern Standard Time, September 26, 2019 at AACMHA ,1 Truman Pkwy, Suite 101, Annapolis, MD 21401.  

Click here to view the Request for Proposals.

Posted: 08/12/2019

Recovery Anne Arundel's 8th Annual Annapolis Recovery Walk

September 22, 2019

11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Whitmore Park, 43 Calvert St., Annapolis, MD 21401

Posted: 07/24/2019

Walk to Fight Suicide

September 21, 2019 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Navy Marine Corps Stadium, Annapolis

Contact: kolbrich@afsp.org

Register at www.afsp.org/Annapolis

Click here for the event flyer.

Posted: 07/24/2019

Click here for the FY 18 Annual Report and FY 20 Annual Plan.

Posted: 06/13/2019

The 2019 Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA) report about Anne Arundel County is now available.

Posted: 02/27/2019

Click here for more information.

Posted: 06/12/2019

From the Maryland Secretary of Health:

I am pleased to announce Lisa Burgess, M.D. as the acting deputy secretary for the Behavioral Health Administration. Dr. Burgess is a board-certified adult, adolescent and child psychiatrist. She joined the Department in 2012 as a physician advisor in the Medicaid Pharmacy Program and became the chief medical officer for Health Care Financing in 2016.

Please join me in welcoming her to this new role.

Sincerely,

Robert R. Neall

Secretary

Posted: 04/24/2019

Updated list of the sites where individuals can go and receive assistance with applying for insurance (Medicaid, QHPs through Maryland Health Connection). Please reach out to Kristina Dickinson, at kristinadickinson@aacounty.org, with any questions you may have.

Click here to view the updated list.

Posted: 02/01/2019

This chapter:

A. Prohibits inappropriate sexual behavior in covered programs; and

B. Adopts awareness and prevention training and reporting requirements regarding inappropriate sexual behavior that a covered program shall fulfill in order to be licensed by the Department or any of its Administrations, or approved by the Department or any of its Administrations to receive funding to provide services in Maryland.

For more information on this chapter of COMAR, please visit the following website:

COMAR 10.01.18

Reporting Form (MDH 4749)

Posted: 01/31/2019

A Provider Alert was issued on November 21, 2018 regarding the Recovery Residence Residential Rights Protection Act.  Click here to see the full alert.

Posted: 11/28/2018

Please click here for an important message from the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners regarding new requirements for Criminal History Record Checks for Renewal.

Posted: 07/02/2018

Please click here.

Posted: 05/14/2018

Please click here.

Posted: 02/12/2018

Please click here to see the attached notice from Beacon- Fentanyl

Posted: 01/17/2018

Beacon Provider Alert Balancing Incentive Program DLA-20 Training and Implementation Update CLICK here.

Posted: 12/23/2016

This web kit for healthcare providers contains early intervention, treatment and support tools that address methal health and substance use issues affecting children, adolescents and their familes: http://aaphysicians.org/pediatricianstoolkit 

 

 

Posted: 01/20/2015