MARYLAND COALITION OF FAMILIES INC

MARYLAND COALITION OF FAMILIES (MCF) IS A STATEWIDE NONPROFIT DEDICATED TO PROVIDING SUPPORT, GUIDANCE, AND HOPE TO FAMILIES WHO HAVE A LOVED ONE WITH MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE OR PROBLEM GAMBLING CHALLENGES. THE ORGANIZATION ADVOCATES TO IMPROVE SERVICES AND SYSTEMS THAT IMPACT INDIVIDUALS WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DISORDERS AND TO REDUCE STIGMA RELATED TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH. MCF STAFF PROVIDES ONE-TO-ONE SUPPORT, RESOURCE CONNECTION AND SYSTEMS NAVIGATION AT NO COST TO FAMILIES.THE IMPACT OF THESE PROGRAMS IN FY24 INCLUDED: 4,690 FAMILIES WHO HAVE A LOVED ONE WITH MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE, OR PROBLEM GAMBLING CHALLENGES RECEIVED FAMILY PEER SUPPORT. THESE FAMILIES WERE CONNECTED WITH 19,424 COMMUNITY RESOURCES. STAFF PROVIDED 216 SUPPORT GROUP SESSIONS AND 82 EDUCATION WORKSHOPS.MCF ADVOCATED FOR IMPROVING SERVICES IN ALL SYSTEMS OF CARE FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, ADULTSAND FAMILIES THROUGH SYSTEM-LEVEL ADVOCACY, AND THROUGH PARTICIPATIONON STATE-LEVEL, PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEES.WE CONDUCTED TWO FAMILY LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO HELP PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS OF SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN WITH MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR CHILD, THEIR FAMILY, AND THEIR COMMUNITY. 29 PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS GRADUATED FROM THE PROGRAM AND JOINED MCF'S FAMILY LEADERSHIP ALUMNI GROUP DEDICATED TO BRINGING FAMILY VOICE INTO IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.THE 22ND ANNUAL FAMILY DAY IN ANNAPOLIS WAS HELD TO BRING FAMILY MEMBERS, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDERS AND SYSTEM PARTNERS TO LEARN ABOUT IMPORTANT LEGISLATION AND BEST PRACTICES TO MEET WITH LEGISLATORS. PARTICIPANTS THEN ENGAGE IN APPOINTMENTS WITH THEIR LEGISLATORS. IN FY25 ALMOST 200 FAMILY MEMBERS, PARTNERS, AND OTHER KEY STAKEHOLDERS FROM ALL OVER MARYLAND TOOK PART IN THE EVENT. IN SUMMARY, MCF PROVIDED FAMILY PEER SUPPORT TO PARENTS AND OTHER CAREGIVERS IN ALL 24 JURISDICTIONS OF THE STATE.