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Behavioral Health News, Events, & More

for the Mid-Shore Region

Recognizing MSBH Team Member Anniversaries

Please join us in recognizing and celebrating the work anniversary of Shannon Joyce, Behavioral Health Coordinator, PASRR and Aging Supervisor (4 years).


Shannon, we are grateful for the passion, commitment, and care you bring to your work every day. Thank you for all you do!


View the MSBH Older Adults Resource page here.

Request for Proposals

Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc. is seeking proposals from qualified service providers to deliver coordinated, school-linked behavioral health supports for children, youth, and families across Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties. This funding opportunity supports a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) focused on mental health promotion, early intervention, and treatment under the Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports. Grants will fund services for a 12-month period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Proposals are due by January 16, 2026, at 5:00 PM, and interested providers are encouraged to review the full RFP for eligibility and application details.

View the full RFP here.

MSBH Seeking Behavioral Health Grant Coordinator (Hub Lead)

Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc. is hiring a Behavioral Health Grant Coordinator (Hub Lead) to lead a regional, school-based behavioral health initiative serving five Mid-Shore public school systems. This full-time leadership role oversees grant implementation, fiscal and contract management, reporting, and partnership development to expand equitable access to behavioral health services for students and families. The position offers a starting salary of $70,000 and requires experience in grant management, program oversight, and cross-sector collaboration.


Interested candidates should review the full job description and submit a resume and cover letter by January 16, 2026 here.

Recognizing Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month

January marks Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month, highlighting that recovery is possible with the right support. This year’s theme, “Treatment Works! Find the Path that Works for You,” encourages individuals to explore treatment options that meet their needs.


Check out the 2026 SAMHSA Treatment Month toolkit to find ready-to-use messages and resources to help raise awareness and support pathways to treatment and recovery.


Click here for MSBH's Substance Use Resources


Click here for the 2026 SAMHSA Substance Use Disorder Toolkit


2026 Children's Mental Health Matters Campaign

Each year, the Children’s Mental Health Matters Campaign features an annual poster contest. The winning artwork will be featured on the 2026 Children’s Mental Health Matters Campaign poster, reaching audiences statewide.


This year, the poster contest theme is No Judgment, Just Help, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Health and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 988 is a vital resource for families and youth to get support when someone is struggling with problems like stress, depression, and anxiety.


Click here for the learn more.

Kara Morris selected as Executive Director of Crossroads Community & Corsica River Mental Health Services

Crossroads Community, Inc. and Corsica River Mental Health Services, Inc. are pleased to announce the appointment of Kara Morris as Executive Director, effective December 17, 2025. Selected through a comprehensive and competitive recruitment process, Kara brings a strong history of leadership, a deep commitment to the mission, and extensive experience advancing community-based behavioral health services across Maryland’s Mid-Shore. Having served the organization since 2014 in both direct service and senior leadership roles, she offers continuity, vision, and a collaborative, community-centered approach.


Click here to read the full press release.

In-Person Trainings & Events









  • February 4th, 2026, 12:00 PM: Alzheimer’s Association: Understanding Alzheimer’s & Dementia. Sudlersville Senior Center, 605 Foxxtown Drive, Sudlersville, MD 21668. To register, call: 410-438-3159.



  • February 11th, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: SYM SIM (Sympathy Simulation), Queen Anne’s County Area Agency on Aging & Arcadia Living. QAC Kramer Center, 104 Powell Street, Centreville, MD.


  • February 12th, 2026, 11 AM – 2 PM: Maryland Coalition for Families: Family Day in Annapolis. Maryland House of Delegates, 6 Bladen Street, Annapolis, MD.


  • March 11th - 12th: Perennial counseling & Consulting Services, LLC: Bloom Conference 2026. Mariotte Aloft Hotel, Ocean City, MD.



  • April 27th – 29th, 2026, All Day: National Council for Mental Wellbeing: NatCon 2026. Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO.



Webinars & Virtual



















 

Pre-Recorded Trainings










 

Mid Shore Suicide Coalition

The Mid Shore Suicide Coalition, a partnership between Channel Marker and Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc., focuses on suicide prevention through educational resources, training initiatives, and community events. The coalition offers toolkits, suicide prevention training, and a variety of resources for survivors of suicide loss, along with support for individuals and communities impacted by suicide.


To join or learn more, visit Mid Shore Suicide Coalition.


View the MD Department of Health Suicide Prevention Linktree Resources.

Pathways to Wellness: Integrating Suicide Prevention in Substance Use Disorder Treatment

This resource provides guidance on integrating suicide prevention in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. It describes the importance, feasibility, and effectiveness of incorporating suicide risk screening and brief interventions in SUD treatment and offers a list of resources to help you apply suicide prevention strategies in your practice. Designed for substance use disorder treatment professionals, this document may also be useful for other behavioral and mental health clinicians.


View the resource here.

Mid Shore Autism Group

Click here to access a centralized electronic resource for community partners on the Mid Shore of Maryland, focused on Autism-related needs—including events, education, medical support, and mental health services.


The group meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Microsoft Teams. To join the meetings, please contact Andrea Wolders, Gregory Gibson, or Rachel Stoyanov.

Support Groups

Courageous Conversations Support Group


  • Mid Shore Therapist Support Network: A monthly network group for therapists who are open to working with lgbtq+ individuals and need to build skills and confidence to do so. Email Rachel Hutchison for more information.


  • NAMI KQA offers a free online peer-led Family Support Group, for family members of older teens and adults struggling with serious mental illness -- the FSG meets twice a month. More info at 443-480-0565 or namikentandqueenannes@gmail.com.








  • Talbot Mentors Parent Support Group, the last Wednesday of every month. This support group focuses on three areas that families have identified as important: Financial Literacy, Mental Health, and Art.



  • The Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center, Inc. (MCVRC) invites families and friends of homicide victims to participate in a safe peer support group. MCVRC welcomes individuals, families, and friends to benefit from this free support service whether or not there has been an arrest or prosecution. To join, please call MCVRC at 301-952-0063 and do an intake with an advocate. This group meets on the first Tuesday evening of every month in a hybrid format.


Job Postings


  • Channel Marker is hiring a Residential Crisis Services Coordinator in Easton, MD. This full-time role supports adults in need of short-term mental health crisis stabilization, including supervising crisis support staff, conducting admissions and intakes, assisting with transitions and discharge planning, and connecting clients to community resources. Flexible, team-oriented candidates with a bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) are encouraged to apply here.


  • Dorchester County Health Department is hiring mental health clinicians (LCSW-C) to work in an expansion of the School-Based Wellness Center program. Position would serve early elementary ages (PreK -2nd grade) in a small Tier II behavior program. Individual and family treatment, classroom-wide groups, and case management. Please apply via the Maryland State application if interested and/or contact Mindy Black-Kelly, LCSW-C, for more information, 443.521.1662 mindy.black-kelly@maryland.gov


  • The Parents’ Place of Maryland is hiring Family Peer Support Specialists (FPSS) across the state to support families navigating mental health, substance use, and problem gambling challenges. Applicants must have lived experience caring for a loved one with behavioral health needs. Additional openings include Program Director, Regional Supervisors, Intake/Program Assistant, and Financial/HR Assistant. Services will be available in English and Spanish through one-on-one support, workshops, and groups. For more information and to apply, visit the careers section here.


Please submit job postings to jqvarnstrom@midshorebehavioralhealth.org

and include a web link, PDF, or Word Doc.

Jobs will be promoted for one month, unless notified otherwise.

Introduction to Careers in Healthcare (ITCH) Program

The Introduction to Careers in Healthcare (ITCH) program, established in 2023, connects middle and high school students in Caroline, Chestertown, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties with career opportunities in the medical field. ITCH provides hands-on experiences, mentorship, and career planning to help students explore healthcare professions beyond what they see on TV. Through job shadowing, internships, and professional guidance, ITCH empowers young people to build confidence, develop career goals, and support the future of local healthcare.


Learn more here.

Grant & Funding Opportunities

SAMHSA Announces $19M in Supplemental Funding to Strengthen Housing Capacity for Homeless People with Serious Mental Illness

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH), through its Commitment to Veterans initiative, is seeking applications from local nonprofit organizations to establish or expand community behavioral health programs for service members, veterans, and their families. These programs should provide timely access to mental health and substance use services and connect eligible individuals to appropriate community-based care upon discharge. Funding for SFY 27 (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027) totals $2,432,821, with individual awards up to $225,000, contingent upon available funding. All awards are subject to the successful implementation of services and may be adjusted or canceled by MDH based on funding availability, with at least 60 days notice provided in the event of cancellation.


Click here to learn more

SAMHSA Announces $19M in Supplemental Funding to Strengthen Housing Capacity for Homeless People with Serious Mental Illness

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is awarding $19 million in new supplemental funding to states through the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHSBG) for efforts to address the intersection of homelessness and serious mental illness (SMI). This funding advances the President’s Executive Order, Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets.


Click here to learn more

Volunteer Opportunities

Make a Big Difference with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore (BBBSES) is a local mentoring non-profit serving all nine counties across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. By committing just 2-4 hours a month, volunteer mentors help youth facing adversity discover their strengths, grow in confidence, and reach their full potential. Mentoring also helps volunteers strengthen their leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills! Each match is carefully made based on shared interests and personalities, so both children and volunteers can build a genuine connection.


Interested in becoming a Big or referring a child? Visit shorebiglittle.org, call 410-543-2447, or email info@shorebiglittle.org to learn more.

Food Resources

Queen Anne's County Residents

Talbot County Residents

Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition Interactive Food Resource List

The Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition provides a range of food resources to support individuals and families in need across the region. From food pantries and soup kitchens available daily to mobile meal services through Shore Gourmet 'SHO-GO,' fresh groceries and prepared meals are delivered to various locations in Caroline, Dorchester, and Talbot counties. The coalition also supports homebound seniors through Meals on Wheels, as well as students and families with weekend food through Backpack Programs.


For more information on eligibility and services, visit their website or reach out to the coalition directly.

 

Additional Links & Resources

Neighborhood Service Center Opens New Computer Lab

Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition

The Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition is making it easier to get connected to health resources in the region.


Residents can now text MIDSHORE to 898-211 and receive a monthly notification with a calendar of health events taking place within Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, and Talbot counties.


Find health fairs, support groups, new parent classes, blood pressure screening, food pantries, walking groups, diabetes prevention programs, and so much more!

A.F. Whitsitt Center

The A.F. Whitsitt Center is now offering convenient pick-up services for individuals seeking treatment. This new initiative ensures that transportation is no longer a barrier to accessing care. Scan the qr code in the image below to learn more.

Resources Continued

BHIPP Consultation Warmline is Available Year-Round

Child mental health specialists are available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. (except on major holidays) to provide consultation in many areas of behavioral health including medication management, diagnostic issues, developmental delays, school/learning issues, autism spectrum disorders, trauma, and early childhood mental health. Call 855-Md-BHIPP (632-4477) Click here for more information.

Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc.
28578 Mary’s Court, Suite 1
Easton, MD 21601
410-770-4801
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