NCADD-MD knows that when it comes to advocacy, there is strength in numbers. We have made great strides in connecting with other advocacy groups to build a solid network of supporters to fight for or against many policies, relating to addiction treatment, mental health and recovery, that are introduced each year during the legislative session. Each organization brings its unique perspective and knowledgeable insights to reach a unified goal for our consumers, providers, and families. Here are some of our ongoing collaborative partnerships and coalitions in which NCADD-MD participates.

• Maryland Department of Health/ Behavioral Health System of Care Workgroup: NCADD serves on the workgroup and the discussion groups. The purpose of the workgroup is to synthesize principles and build consensus around the design component for the system of care. The topics being reviewed are quality, integrated care management, cost management and behavioral health provider management and network adequacy.
• Opioid Operations Command Center (OOCC): NCADD-MD has worked with the OOCC, from the start, to keep the center up-to-date on the priorities of the consumers and families we represent, as well as the issues that providers must deal with daily. We offer our expertise to the team as they move forward in implementing the recommendations that have been identified by the Governor’s Task Force.
• NCADD-MD serves on the Interagency Heroin and Opioid Coordinating Council and the Joint Committee on Behavioral Health. NCADD-MD is on the Crisis Subcommittee for the Governor’s Commission to Study Mental Health and Behavioral Health in Maryland.
• State Overdose Advisory Council: NCADD-MD continues to be an active member of this Advisory Council. The council promotes a training program for Naloxone distribution for professionals, EMT staff and law enforcement officers, and we have stepped up our educational and outreach efforts to get as many people trained as possible.
• Behavioral Health Advisory Council: NCADD-MD has a representative on the Council to represent those in recovery and their specific needs, such as medication-assisted treatment, case management, housing, and other wrap around support services.
• Baltimore County, Anne Arundel and Howard County Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC): NCADD-MD attends monthly meetings of the county ROSC workgroups and provides input as it relates specifically to those in recovery.
• Behavioral Health System Baltimore: NCADD-MD’s Executive Director is actively involved in the local efforts of the Behavioral Health Systems Baltimore (BHSB). BHSB continues to focus on Harm Reduction initiatives in the city as well as access to treatment for the underserved population.
• Legal Action Center/Maryland Parity Coalition: NCADD-MD is a member of the coalition and recently celebrated the completion of the Parity @10 Campaign. NCADD-MD and the Legal Action Center work together to oversee the progress Maryland Medicaid has made toward achieving compliance with the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act under the direction of the Office of Planning in the Health Care Financing Administration. Parity for telehealth services is a major focus of our legislative efforts every year, and we will continue to monitor it with the Maryland Insurance Administration to ensure compliance.
• Maryland Behavioral Health Coalition (MBHC): NCADD-MD is an active member of this coalition with a number of other agencies. Through written and oral testimony, working with the members of the coalition, we helped shape and determine the outcome of important legislation that passed this year during the General Assembly session.
• Baltimore Resource for Individual Drug Use and Education (B.R.I.D.G.E.S.) Coalition: NCADD-MD participates in the coalition, specifically on the Legislative Advocacy Committee to work to end overdose and criminalization of individual drug use.
• Health Care. Keep It! Medicaid Collaborative: NCADD-MD is working with this group of organizations that are committed to ensuring that Maryland’s Medicaid program responds to changes at the federal level by maximizing coverage and care for all Marylanders who rely on the Medicaid safety net health care system.
• Alcohol/Tobacco/Cannabis Network: This is a grass roots coalition consisting of professionals, public policy advocates, and family members to provide valuable input to the newly established Maryland Alcohol/Tobacco/Cannabis Commission that is now in charge of enforcing and regulating the state’s laws concerning alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.