Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc. was honored to host a meeting recently with the Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports (Consortium), members of the National Center for School Mental Health, members of mid-shore public school systems, and behavioral health providers from the five mid-shore counties. The focus of the meeting was to celebrate the progress of the first year of grants supported through the Consortium and Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) and look ahead towards the second year of the program. During 2024-2025, these grants supported high quality behavioral health and related services to 6,133 students. Looking ahead to the 2025-2026 school year, services will be coordinated by the Mid Shore Community Supports Partnership, whose Hub is Mid Shore Behavioral Health. The Hub is charged with 1) Expanding access to high quality behavioral health and related services for students and families 2) Improving student wellbeing and readiness to learn 3) Fostering positive classroom environments and 4) Promoting sustainability through other funding sources.
For the 2025 – 2026 school year, funding for the Mid Shore region will total $5 million. Funding was made available by the Maryland General Assembly as part of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. As the Partnership Hub, MSBH’s role is to coordinate local providers and assist students and families in receiving the right support at the right time. The initiative also prioritizes family voice and student choice, creating intentional opportunities for young people to take part in conversations about their own mental health.
Katie Dilley, Chief Executive Officer of Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc. (MSBH), opened the gathering by welcoming all partners and expressing her enthusiasm for MSBH’s role in the Consortium program, as well as gratitude for the support of the regional schools and provider community. Special guests included members of the Consortium, with Chair David D. Rudolph offering opening remarks. Additional Consortium members in attendance were Caroline County Public Schools Superintendent Derek Simmons, Kent County School Board member Laura McKenzie, and former Baltimore County Public Schools social worker team leader Gail Martin.
After a warm welcome, ten panelists, including school-based mental health coordinators, local service providers, a Local Management Board Director, and a Director of Student Services, shared success stories and answered questions. A highlight of the afternoon was a heartfelt message from a student on the Hub’s Advisory Board, who spoke about her journey of personal mental wellness and the support she received from school guidance counselors. The gathering concluded with MSBH unveiling the new Hub Program logo, developed in partnership with the Interagency Council for Student and Community Wellness. The crab design symbolizes persistence, resilience, adaptability, and growth, qualities that reflect the strength of mid-shore students, families, and communities in their pursuit of wellness and opportunity.
FY26 participating providers include Caroline County Health Department, Choptank Community Health, and Cook Center for Human Connection in Caroline County; Cook Center for Human Connection, Dorchester County Health Department, Maple Shade Youth & Family Services, Mental Health Association of Maryland, and Parent Encouragement Program in Dorchester County; Boys & Girls Club, Choptank Community Health, Cook Center for Human Connection, and For All Seasons in Kent County; Choptank Community Health, Hazel Health, Striving for Wellness Together, and Thrive Behavioral Health in Queen Anne’s County; and Cook Center for Human Connection and Peace of Mind Mental Health Services in Talbot County.
“The Consortium appreciates the work of Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc. and the local service providers in supporting the behavioral health needs of students and families,” said Consortium Chair David Rudolph. “We congratulate Mid Shore on this grant, and we are thrilled to deepen our collaboration.”
Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc. (MSBH) is the region’s Core Service Agency charged with continually improving the provision of behavioral health services for residents of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties through effective coordination of care in collaboration with consumers, their natural support systems, providers, and the community at large.
For more information about MSBH, visit www.midshorebehavioralhealth.org or call 410-770-4801.
