Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announces $4 million for Mental Health Clinics in Baltimore City and Timonium

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes and Kweisi Mfume (all D-MD) – today announced $4 million in federal funding for Mosaic Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) in Baltimore City and Timonium. The funding will help the Sheppard Pratt-operated clinics expand access to lifesaving mental health services and substance abuse treatment. 

“Far too many Americans are experiencing mental health and substance abuse challenges, especially amid the COVID-19 crisis,” the lawmakers said. “Many who seek treatment face delays or get incomplete, uncoordinated care without the full range of support they need. This new, federal funding will help ensure that more Marylanders receive the timely and comprehensive care they need.”

The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant program for CCBHCs, which were created by Congress under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014. In April, Congress approved $250 million in emergency COVID-19 funding to increase access to CCBHCs during the pandemic, in addition to $200 million in regular, annual appropriations. CCBHCs that receive funding through this program must provide 24-7 crisis intervention services for people who have serious mental illness or substance abuse disorders, including opioid use disorders and for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance.

Mosaic Community Services is the largest non-profit provider of community-based mental health and addiction services in Central Maryland. It serves nearly 30,000 children, adolescents, adults and families across the region and employs 1,000 people.