In 2020, the Maryland Department of Health’s Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) created a Behavioral Health Equity Workgroup to develop and implement strategies, programs, and activities to increase a shared set of values that creates cohesiveness, and promotes equity and inclusion across the Maryland Public Behavioral Health System (PBHS). Six subcommittees were formed under the Behavioral Health Equity workgroup. In 2022, the Policy and Procedures subcommittee shifted its focus in reviewing policies and best practices in providing services to individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The subcommittee aims to implement policies that support access to quality services for all Marylanders regardless of age, culture, disability, gender identity, ethnicity, race, or religious and/or sexual orientation.
The Policy and Procedures subcommittee will host five regional stakeholder meetings to share information on PBHS services available and to obtain input from stakeholders on how to enhance public behavioral services for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing in Maryland:
CENTRAL REGION Stakeholder Meeting #1
Thursday, Jan. 20, 2023: 9am – 1pm
REGISTRATION OPEN: (January 20, 2023 Only)
Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard Counties
CENTRAL REGION Stakeholder Meeting #2
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023: 9am – 1pm
Registration Link to be announced
Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard Counties
SOUTHERN REGION and CAPITAL REGION
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023: 12pm – 4pm
Registration Link to be announced
Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and St. Mary’s Counties
WESTERN REGION
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023: 12pm – 4pm
Registration Link to be announced
Alleghany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington Counties
MID-EASTERN SHORE REGION and LOWER EASTERN SHORE REGION
Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023: 9am – 1pm
Registration Link to be announced
Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent,
Mid-Shore Behavioral Health, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties
American Sign Language (ASL) will be provided during each Stakeholder Meeting
