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Dear Community,
Welcome to the inaugural edition of In The Center, a quarterly newsletter designed to keep our community informed about the issues, opportunities, partnerships, and innovations shaping health, disability, and community-based services across Maryland.
At The Coordinating Center, we know that creating stronger communities takes more than any one organization. It requires collaboration among businesses, funders, policymakers, healthcare organizations, community partners, advocates, and individuals who share a commitment to ensuring everyone has the opportunity to live healthy, meaningful, and connected lives.
Over the past quarter, we have continued to expand our impact and strengthen our capacity to serve Maryland communities.
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We celebrated becoming a statewide provider of Coordination of Community Services for the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration, allowing more Marylanders and their families to access person-centered support and navigation services.
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We were also honored to receive multiple 2026 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Awards, reflecting our commitment to creating a workplace where people and purpose thrive.
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In addition, we launched a new public policy partnership with Shwartz, Metz, Wise & Kauffman, P.A., expanding our ability to advocate for policies that strengthen community-based services, promote health equity, and support individuals living with disabilities and/or complex medical needs.
As the healthcare, disability, and human services landscape continues to evolve, In The Center will provide insights on emerging challenges, policy developments, community partnerships, and the people and organizations working to create positive change. We hope this newsletter serves as a space to learn, connect, and explore opportunities to work together in support of stronger, more inclusive communities.
Thank you for being part of our journey.
With gratitude,
Teresa Titus-Howard, PhD, MHA, MSW, CCM, ACNP
President & CEO
The Coordinating Center
| | In this issue you will find information about: | |
- Advocacy
- #ServiceInAction
- Out In The Community
- Client Spotlight: Meet Paris
- Community Enrichment
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- In Case You Missed It!
- Celebrating Outgoing Board Members
- Opportunities to Join Our Team
- Opportunity to Share Feedback
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Public policy decisions have real consequences for individuals, families, healthcare providers, employers, and communities. On October 1, the first phase of changes under the federal law H.R. 1 took effect, impacting Medicaid eligibility for some adult immigrants, non citizens.
Learn more by reviewing the Maryland Medicaid Check-In Medicaid Member Immigration Changes one-pager. (Link opens new website)
If you are a refugee or asylum seeker who entered or obtained asylum in the U.S. in the last eight months, you may be eligible for Refugee Medical Assistance. Remember, if your status changes, you can reapply for Medicaid at any time.
Additional changes affecting certain adults enrolled through Medicaid expansion, including new work and community engagement requirements, more frequent eligibility reviews, and reduced retroactive coverage, are scheduled to begin in January 2027.
These changes are expected to affect up to 320,000 Maryland Medicaid members and will require many individuals to pay closer attention to enrollment notices, renewal deadlines, and eligibility requirements. The Maryland Department of Health, Maryland Health Connection, managed care organizations, and community partners are working together to help Marylanders understand what these changes mean and how to maintain coverage.
At The Coordinating Center, we believe access to accurate information is essential to building healthy, resilient communities. Through community education, advocacy, and strategic partnerships, we are working to help individuals, families, providers, and community organizations navigate this evolving landscape.
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At The Coordinating Center, we believe in giving back to other organizations through community service. That's why year round you can see our coworkers volunteering through #TCCInAction programs around the state. | Pictured: Coworkers volunteering at Art With A Heart through #TCCInAction, stamping letters into clay that will become part of a new community mural. | | |
Looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity for your company or organization?
We'd love to partner with you! Contact The Coordinating Center to learn how your team can make a difference in our community.
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| Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Community Connections County Tour | | | | The Coordinating Center was proud to join Jake Day, Secretary of Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) during the Community Connections Day Trip visit to Montgomery County. | Priscilla Lissik, Director of Homeless Services, represented The Center and joined community stakeholders in conversations to collectively explore solutions to strengthen housing stability and create pathways for individuals and families to thrive in Maryland. | | Bruster's Real Ice Cream Fundraiser | |
Thank you to everyone who joined us at Bruster’s Real Ice Cream this past August to support The Coordinating Center's Bridge Fund!
It was wonderful to see so many coworkers, clients, families, and community members, come together for a sweet cause.
Because of your generosity and support, we raised over $700 for The Center's Bridge Fund! THANK YOU!
Stay tuned to our website and social media channels for future fundraising opportunities and ways to get involved.
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Harford Academy's Back-to-School Night
Coworkers Roxane Williams and Ivy Walker attended Harford Academy's Back-to-School Night to share supportive resources for transitioning youth and their families.
| Click here to learn more about DDA's Coordination of Community Services Program, which The Coordinating Center is a CCS Provider for. | | Client Spotlight: Meet Paris | | |
Meet Paris: an energetic music lover who finds adventure and laughter in small moments of every day, like going over speed bumps in the car.
Paris’ Coordinator, Pam, was determined to help to get accessibility modifications in their home for Paris, who lives with cerebral palsy and vision impairments. This led her to seek help from The Center's Bridge Fund to offset the cost of Paris' pictured outdoor ramp.
| Paris using her outdoor ramp with her guardians, Nancy and Bridget. |
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The Center's Bridge Fund works to bridge gaps in access to essential resources for individuals, households, and families.
100% of every donation received goes directly to the people we serve by meeting needs, enhancing lives, and ensuring that everyone we serve has the opportunity to thrive.
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"The Coordinating Center is very valuable. It can be challenging navigating these healthcare systems sometimes, but if you stay in touch and are resourceful and don’t lose communication, you will get so much support."
– Bridget
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Last Month's Community Enrichment Webinar
Navigating Disability Disclosure and ADA Protections in the Workplace
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The presentation provides employees with disabilities the knowledge and tools to understand their workplace rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
It explains the voluntary nature of disability disclosure, the legal protections afforded, and the best practices for deciding when and how to disclose.
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Catch up on our most recent publications!
| | Celebrating Our Outgoing Board Members | | | | We are extremely grateful for the leadership and direction from our Board of Directors. As the term ends, we extend our deepest thanks to James Karpook, Dina Wasmer, and Scott A. Reifsnyder for their years of incredible leadership and dedicated volunteer service on The Coordinating Center's Board of Directors. | | Watch our video to discover what life looks like as a Coordinator at The Coordinating Center! | |
The Coordinating Center is hiring!
If you are looking for purpose‑driven work, we are looking to welcome new coworkers who want to use their skills, perspective, and passion to help strengthen communities and advance meaningful work.
Start your journey by clicking below to explore our open roles today!
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Tell Us What You Think!
Love In The Center? Have ideas to make it even better? We want to hear from you! Whether you’ve been reading since day one or just joined us, your feedback helps us bring you the stories, tips, and updates you actually want to read.
Email us at Marketing@CoordinatingCenter.org to help shape a newsletter that’s truly made for you. Prefer to chat? Give us a call at 410-987-1048 and ask for the Marketing Team.
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