Business Details
27 Years
experience
Trusted Family Peer Support Services in Maryland
Since 1999, the Maryland Coalition Of Families has been the state's leading nonprofit dedicated to providing family peer support for behavioral health challenges. Our specialists leverage firsthand caregiving experience to deliver free emotional support, resource navigation, and systems advocacy for families affected by mental health issues, substance use disorders, and problem gambling. We combine personal insight with professional expertise to empower Maryland families through support groups, community resource connections, and legislative advocacy aimed at improving statewide behavioral health systems.Our team maintains deep expertise in navigating complex service networks while prioritizing client confidentiality and cultural competence across all jurisdictions. Through evidence-based peer support models and community partnerships, we help families build resilience and access critical services while advocating for systemic improvements that address unmet needs in behavioral healthcare delivery.
Services
Family Peer Support
Behavioral Health Advocacy
Support Groups
Resource Connection
Legislative Advocacy
Crisis Navigation
Community Workshops
Referral Services
Youth Support Programs
LGBTQ+ Family Support
Details
- Year established: 1999
Highlights and features
- We offer free, confidential family peer support services with no income restrictions
- Our specialists use lived caregiving experience to guide families through complex systems
- We maintain statewide coverage with peer support specialists in all Maryland jurisdictions
- We combine personal insight with policy advocacy to improve behavioral health systems
- We provide culturally competent support in multiple languages through trained specialists
Services
Family Peer Support
Our Family Peer Support Specialists provide one-on-one guidance using lived experience caring for loved ones with behavioral health challenges. This free service helps families navigate mental health systems, access treatment resources, and develop coping strategies through personalized support plans tailored to each family's unique needs.
Behavioral Health Advocacy
We advocate for policy improvements in mental health and substance use services while providing individual advocacy to help families access appropriate care. Our specialists work with state agencies and legislative bodies to address systemic barriers and improve service delivery for Maryland families.
Support Groups
Facilitated peer support groups connect families facing similar challenges through in-person and virtual meetings. These sessions provide safe spaces for sharing experiences, learning coping strategies, and building community connections while maintaining strict confidentiality protocols for all participants.
Resource Connection
Our specialists maintain comprehensive directories of local treatment providers, financial assistance programs, and community resources. We help families locate specialized services including LGBTQ+ support, early childhood interventions, and crisis stabilization resources across all Maryland counties.
Community Workshops
We offer workshops on topics like mental health first aid, substance use prevention, and navigating school support systems. These educational sessions provide practical tools for families while connecting them with local resources and peer support networks.
People
Karen Duffy
Executive Director
Karen Duffy leads Maryland Coalition Of Families with over 25 years of experience in behavioral health advocacy. She oversees statewide program operations and strategic initiatives while serving as primary media contact for the organization.
Questions
What services does Maryland Coalition of Families offer?
We provide free family peer support, advocacy, support groups, resource referrals, and legislative advocacy for families dealing with mental health, substance use, and gambling challenges.
Are services available in all Maryland counties?
Yes, we have peer support specialists serving every Maryland jurisdiction with both in-person and virtual support options available.
How much do services cost?
All our services are completely free of charge, funded through state grants and charitable donations to ensure accessibility for all families.
How can I request services?
Click the 'Request Services Now' button on our website or call 410-730-8267 ext. 1 to connect with a referral specialist for appointment scheduling.
Do you offer crisis intervention services?
We recommend calling 988 for immediate behavioral health crises. Our specialists provide non-emergency support services during regular business hours.
What populations do you serve?
We support families with children's mental health needs, substance use disorders, problem gambling, early childhood development, LGBTQ+ youth, and young adults up to age 25.
