Advancing Behavorial Health Equity

What is the mission of your organization?

Arlington Free Clinic (AFC) is a free clinic that provides no-cost physical and behavioral and low-cost oral health services to low-income, uninsured (Medicaid ineligible), adult residents of Arlington County, VA. Our mission is, "to advance health equity by providing comprehensive, whole-person healthcare for our neighbors who would otherwise lack access.”

What program did the CareFirst grant support?

Funding from CareFirst was sought to support activities aimed at expanding and enhancing our Behavioral Health (BH) workforce, AFC will:

1. Transform the role of our primary care provider (PCP) volunteers who are well-suited to treat many of our patients’ BH needs
2. Pilot novel volunteer recruitment tactics
3. Test the impact/scalability of using paid BH professionals to supplement our primarily volunteer BH workforce
4. Implement a comprehensive staff training series to support our team whose focus throughout the pandemic has been (and continues to be) ensuring continuity of high-quality care and crisis aversion.

What impact did you see?

Through funding from CareFirst, AFC was able to hire staff to start building a more sustainable Behavioral Health (BH) Program. AFC’s BH Program continues to offer bilingual and culturally responsive services, which have a significant impact on the lives of our patients in multiple ways. Many of our patients share that they feel less alone once they begin engaging in behavioral health services and have a space where they feel heard and supported. As AFC BH providers, we have seen patients build practical tools for managing their emotions, such as grounding and coping strategies, which they can carry into their day-to-day lives. The AFC primary care/behavioral health integrated model also allows our Behavioral Health providers to work closely with primary care and psychiatry, which helps patients to feel more supported across all aspects of their health.

AFC’s BH Program also offers group therapy options for patients, including those focused on emotional regulation, self-compassion, and understanding how stress and trauma affect the body. We have also offered workshops for breast cancer patients centered on sustainable self-care practices. In one of our recent groups focused on managing anxiety, participants voiced appreciation for having a space to not only obtain skills but also connect with and support each other.

Moreover, AFC’s BH staff recognize the importance of continuing to expand the understanding of mental health issues within clinic staff and volunteers. Over the past several months, the BH staff have offered trainings on suicide assessment, understanding the role of BH, somatic symptoms in women of color (with a focus on culturally responsive care) and self-care and burnout prevention. In the coming months, the BH staff will continue to work on naming more pertinent topics to better inform all staff and strengthen collaboration between the BH Program and all other AFC patient centered programs.

Why is mental and behavioral health important to your organization/community?

AFC’s specific patient demographic includes many individuals how have never had the opportunity to learn about the positive impact that counseling can have on their lives. The BH Program at AFC is centered on introducing patients to therapy by emphasizing how working with a counselor can support their overall well-being. BH counselors at AFC connect with patients by creating a safe space in which we can introduce them to new, healthier ways, of approaching potentially difficult situations in their lives. By offering patients these services we can give them an opportunity to be heard, learn valuable skills, and positively process whatever is currently impacting their health.

The community we serve often navigates challenging situations while demonstrating resilience through what most of us would define as unimaginable circumstances. As a community clinic it is essential that AFC offers BH services that provide our patients with the important supports to help them not just survive, but to help them thrive.

Learn more about Arlington Free Clinic.

What is the mission of your organization?

Building community and professional partnerships to advance the Maryland Office of the Public Defender’s holistic representation and support for justice-involved individuals.

What program did the CareFirst grant support?

The program is the Uplifting Youth Project, and it focuses on increasing access to services and improving wellness for justice-involved youth in Prince George's County through screening, assessment, planning, ongoing support and referrals to appropriate behavioral health treatment and community-based services.

What impact did you see?

The Uplifting Youth Project made a real and lasting impact this year. Youth who came to us facing some of their most difficult moments (detention, housing instability, lack of insurance, language barriers) left with employment, therapy, community supervision and a path forward. Our work proved that when you meet young people where they are and wrap the right services around them, outcomes change. Courts took notice, families expressed gratitude, and clients who could have been further entrenched in the justice system are now building stable, productive lives. The services we provided mattered, not just in courtrooms, but in homes, in communities and in the futures of the young people and families we serve. Some examples include:

• R.J. was referred for behavioral health support and a social history report. The quality of that report was credited by his attorney as instrumental in convincing the court to grant community supervision rather than staff-secured detention, allowing R.J. to continue his therapeutic progress outside of a facility.
• J.M. and his Spanish-speaking mother faced barriers to therapy due to lack of insurance. The team connected them to a pro bono counseling program with Spanish-speaking therapists, and later to a culturally responsive medical clinic, giving the family access to care and a sense of safety and belonging.

Why is mental and behavioral health important to your organization/community?

Mental and behavioral health is central to breaking the cycle of justice involvement. Without addressing the underlying needs that bring young people into contact with the legal system, we are doing little to help our clients succeed. Through wraparound services that meet youth where they are, connecting them to therapy, housing, employment, education and culturally responsive care, we give young people the tools and support they need to move beyond the system and build something better for themselves.

Learn more about The Association for the Public Defender of Maryland.

What is the mission of your organization?

Our mission is to educate, equip and empower our immigrant neighbors to reach their full potential and become contributing members of our community.

What program did the CareFirst grant support?

The Éxito STEAM Wellness Program (Éxito) supported the physical and behavioral health outcomes of low-income and immigrant Latinx youth and families in Frederick County, Maryland. The Éxito Program achieved this by providing high need students with social-emotional learning (SEL) and focused afterschool programming and summer programming (Grades K-12). Additionally, Éxito provided monthly parent/caregiver engagement programming and emotional support and wellness sessions to strengthen the advancement of immigrant families in the Frederick community.

What impact did you see?

The Éxito Wellness Program served a total of 177 unduplicated students from March to December 2024, with 148 additional students served in the spring and summer of 2025.

We are also pleased to share that 97% of the children and youth surveyed reported that they were satisfied with the program and 100% of the family members also responded that they were satisfied. 100% of our team members responded that they were satisfied with the program and 100% of our team members reported that they had gained knowledge and skills based on professional development trainings. 85% of the children and youth shared that they improved their knowledge and skills related to behavioral health and 82% of the children and youth shared that they improved their knowledge and skills related to social-emotional learning.

Why is mental and behavioral health important to your organization/community?

The mental health of our immigrant neighbors is an essential aspect of their overall well-being. Trusted behavioral health providers like CareFirst and social service providers, like Centro Hispano de Frederick, play key roles in supporting immigrant communities by offering culturally responsive and trauma-informed education and care, engaging in community outreach and creating welcoming, affirming spaces with resources and information to support their transition. Providing behavioral health services and programs focusing on social emotional well-being, especially for our children and youth, will help foster growth, resilience and strengthen children, youth, their families and our community.

Learn more about Centro Hispano de Frederick.

What is the mission of your organization?

Chase Brexton Health Care is multidisciplinary team of health providers across the state of Maryland providing compassionate, high quality integrated care that respects the unique needs of each patient and advances wellness in the communities we serve.

What program did the CareFirst grant support?

CareFirst funding supported launching our patient navigator model that provided collaboration between medicine and behavioral health. Medical and behavioral health care access can be daunting. The focus was to support families through this multilayered process with a trusted support and guide throughout their engagement with us.

What impact did you see?

This grant empowered our teams to test the impact of patient navigators to engage our younger patients, and their families to services to support their mental and physical health within our primary care centers. This intervention created access points to patient navigators that could do a thorough assessment early. 2,920 youth were screened for unmet BH needs. 770 screened positive for unmet BH needs. 760 were referred to BH. 145 youth referred engaged and received services to address BH needs. The navigators provided services for youth and parents which provided complimentary engagement and service provision with Chase Brexton Health Care.

Why is mental and behavioral health important to your organization/community?

We are acutely aware of the delay in mental health services in our communities. This effort afforded us the opportunity to explore, engage and offer quality supports at time of need. We know there is more work to be done and this opportunity afforded us the space to explore and better understand the needs of youth and families and improve our integrated service model to be responsive to our clients and community.

Learn more about Chase Brexton Health Care.

What is the mission of your organization?

The Enoch Pratt Free Library is both Baltimore City's public library and the Maryland State Library Resource Center and consists of the Central Library, 21 branches, and several mobile units and satellite locations. The mission of the Enoch Pratt Free Library is to empower, enrich, and enhance the quality of life for all through equitable access to information, services, and opportunity. “For all, rich and poor, without distinction of race or color” (Enoch Pratt, 1882).

What program did the CareFirst grant support?

The Enoch Pratt Free Library received a three-year Behavioral Health Grant from CareFirst to support Building a Peer Navigator Workforce in Baltimore City in partnership with the Maryland Peer Advisory Council and Healing City Baltimore. The goal of the three-year program was to support the training (classes and paid practicum hours) of 45 Peer Recovery Specialist Interns so that they could join the Behavioral Health workforce. Through the program, Peer Recovery Specialist Interns prepared for certification with the Maryland Peer Advisory Council, and then completed up to 400 of 500 required practicum hours in Pratt Library branches. In doing so, they provided information and services to Pratt Library customers at several branches in high-need neighborhoods.

What impact did you see?

By sharing their own experiences and offering non-judgmental assistance, Peer Recovery Specialist Interns created a safe and supportive environment for individuals, youth and families at the Pratt Library while gaining invaluable job skills as well as hours to meet certification requirements. In the three years of the program, Peer Recovery Specialist Interns completed 3,600+ hours of training and provided nearly 10,000 hours of service in branches.

Why is mental and behavioral health important to your organization/community?

As a longtime trusted anchor with branches in some of Baltimore’s most challenged neighborhoods, the Pratt Library has long been a resource for city residents with a variety of complex needs. However, librarians are not always equipped to help customers with some of these issues. By offering access Peer Navigators and other similar interns and experts at the library, the Pratt is able to facilitate on-the-spot access to social, legal, housing, health and other services, helping customers to get potentially life-changing information and assistance.

Learn more about Enoch Pratt Free Library of Baltimore City and Maryland Peer Advisory Council.

What is the mission of your organization?

Since 1998, Identity creates opportunities for youth, families and communities, with the most need, to realize their highest potential and thrive. Like an extended family, Identity teaches and models the social-emotional, academic and workforce skills youth need to thrive in the modern world. Programs/services are provided at schools, in the community and on playing fields and complemented by trauma-informed family case management, mental health and substance misuse counseling and non-clinical emotional support.

What program did the CareFirst grant support?

Our three-year Behavioral Health Grant from CareFirst supported the growth and development of Identity's Youth Encuentros program. Our innovative, evidence-based Encuentros program was created to respond to the shortage of bilingual mental health providers and greater need for mental health supports. Through Youth Encuentros (YE) groups our goal is to increase young people’s access to emotional support to improve wellbeing and counter the intense and ongoing effects of the youth mental health crisis. This evidence-based non-clinical peer support model addresses barriers to access to behavioral health services by providing at-risk youth with linguistically/culturally responsive, trauma-informed non-clinical peer support at no cost to participants. Research attests that an evidence-based peer support model like Encuentros can be highly effective in supporting wellbeing and countering the toxic mental and physical effects of stress, anxiety, and unaddressed Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Since 2021, data from our adult and youth Encuentros groups strongly supports this, with participants reporting statistically significant increases in their ability to manage stress.

Our theory of change is that if youth have easy access to participation in culturally and linguistically appropriate peer-led emotional support groups, they will then be able to cope more successfully with stress, despair and other mental health impacts of trauma, including unaddressed prior ACES and other traumas. This in turn will help mitigate the long-term effects of the youth mental health crisis.

What impact did you see?

Over the three-year CareFirst grant, funds were used to run 79 Youth Encuentros emotional support groups for 947 low-income high school youth in high need Montgomery County Public Schools. During this period, the program trained 36 Youth Peer leaders (YPLs) to co-facilitate and recruit their peers for YE groups.

Perhaps the greatest impact of these Youth Encuentros (YE) sessions is their role in normalizing, validating, and raising awareness of social and emotional needs and coping strategies among young participants. Beyond that, the program demonstrates that involving the community creates a lasting influence that extends beyond its scope, empowering youth to envision a positive future for themselves. Many participants also report gaining deeper empathy and understanding of the hardships their classmates face.

As we ran groups, we continued to use rapid cycle evaluation methods to evaluate and optimize the groups and refine our Evaluation Plan indicators. In FY25, across groups:

• 69% of YE participants who reported low levels of ability to manage stress at intake reported increased ability at exit.
• 91% of YE participants reported that after being in YE group, they increased their self-esteem.
• 64% of YE participants reported a reduction in psychological distress (level of anxiety) at exit.
• 98% of YE participants would recommend YE groups to others.

To obtain these outcomes, our evaluation plan, developed with our University of Maryland School of Public Health partners, includes intake and exit surveys that incorporate questions from validated scales (PHQ-9, Rosenberg Self-esteem scale and GAD-7) to measure improvements in youths’ overall wellbeing, reduced anxiety and questions to reflect their improved skills in managing stress by the end of the YE sessions. A Paired Samples T-Test statistical analysis determines whether changes between intake and exit are statistically significant.

Why is mental and behavioral health important to your organization/community?

There is an urgent need for behavioral health support among low-income high school students. These youth face compounded challenges including economic hardship, language isolation, ACEs and other traumas, factors that severely impact their emotional well-being, academic performance and long-term development. Identity began offering non-clinical, emotional support groups in 2021 in response to the beginning of the mental health crisis and a shortage of affordable, accessible, bilingual therapists, which was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Designed with and for the community and inspired by Latino cultural tradition of family and friends helping each other in times of emotional distress, Identity's Encuentros program first worked with adults and youth in high school. In 2025 we adapted, piloted and implemented middle school Encuentros and we are currently developing and planning to pilot an elementary school Encuentros in the summer of 2026.

Learn more about Identity.

What is the mission of your organization?

St. Ignatius Loyola Academy opened in 1993 with a mission to provide a quality education to young men and put them on the path to attend a college-preparatory high school. At that time, the high school graduation rate for Black males in Baltimore City was 40%. In 2025, Baltimore City’s high school graduation rate for males that qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch is 65%. Over our 30+ year history, our high school graduation rate remains at 98%. The Academy educates boys in grades five through eight, preparing them for admission to any one of the many independent, Catholic or competitive public college-preparatory high schools. All students admitted to the Academy come from families at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Rate (a common marker of low-income family households) with a priority on admitting an overwhelming majority of students whose family household annual income is at or below the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program requirement of 185% of the Federal Poverty Rate. They live in the Baltimore area in historically underinvested neighborhoods. Nearly every student has experienced some level of childhood trauma and/or adverse childhood experience (ACEs).

What program did the CareFirst grant support?

Over the last three school years, the Academy increased its resources, programming and support of our students, alumni and their families to reduce the long-term impacts of childhood trauma. While there has always been consistent support for our students and families that addresses their mental health, social-emotional growth and essential needs at the Academy, this was the first such initiative to develop cohesive programming and tracking for students, parents, families, alumni and our faculty and staff.

What impact did you see?

One of our goals, and the most notable thing we saw as we reached the end of the three-year grant, was that our disciplinary rates and instances of classroom/school disruptions had significantly decreased as there was a larger focus on mental health/social-emotional programming as well as a larger focus on non-punitive punishments.

Why is mental and behavioral health important to your organization/community?

The effects of childhood trauma, especially on those from low-income families who reside in underinvested communities, are numerous, long-lasting and severe. Every St. Ignatius Loyola Academy student is from a lower-income family residing in under-invested communities and are most likely to have experienced childhood trauma that will have a long-lasting impact on their lives. When a child experiences multiple instances of childhood trauma, and/or when no interventions are attempted, they are more likely to experience negative effects later in life: depression; alcoholism; drug abuse; suicide attempts; health problems; uncontrollable anger; and family, financial, and job problems.

Thanks to the CareFirst grant, the Academy was able to expand our mental and behavioral health programming for our students, alumni, and faculty and staff, both through partnerships with outside organizations and internal training. Over the last three years, we have developed well-defined processes and structured procedures to address and follow the mental health, social-emotional and family issues for staff-identified or self-identified students, alumni, and their families. Additionally, we provided trauma-informed training for faculty and staff to show how to identify students, alumni and families that may be struggling and what resources and services we can offer them. This helped to reduce life trauma-based disruptive student classroom behaviors, enabling students to be more focused and engaged in learning. And, ultimately, these identifications and the support provided will reduce future family crisis interventions and school absenteeism.

In the long-term, we hope that trauma-informed care in the classroom coupled with a robust socio-emotional program for students, alumni and their families, supported by external educational partnerships that provide access and remove barriers to mental health care will mitigate the long-lasting impacts of childhood trauma that can occur without intervention. We hope this will prepare families for the commitments of high school and college, lower the number of student transfers, and strengthen the percentage of alumni who achieve both a college and graduate degree.

Learn more about St. Ignatius Loyola Academy.

What is the mission of your organization?

Luminis Health is a community-based health system grounded in its mission to enhance the health of the communities we serve, delivering high-quality, coordinated care across the continuum to improve outcomes, expand access and advance health equity. This mission is operationalized through a comprehensive portfolio of services, including emergency and acute care, primary and specialty care, obstetrics and women’s health, behavioral health services, surgical services and community-based programs—each intentionally designed to meet patients where they are and address both clinical and social drivers of health.

A key component of this mission in action is Pathways, Luminis Health’s substance use treatment program, which directly advances the organization’s commitment to enhancing community health by addressing the growing burden of substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions. Pathways provides comprehensive, evidence-based services, including structured treatment, clinical support and recovery-focused care, all aimed at stabilizing patients and supporting long-term wellness. Through this program, Luminis Health not only delivers critical clinical interventions but also strengthens the broader continuum of care, ensuring individuals have access to the resources necessary to achieve sustained recovery and improved quality of life.

What program did the CareFirst grant support?

With the support of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield funding, Pathways developed Project STARR, a workforce development program which has expanded our capacity to deliver high-quality care by focusing on retention and recruitment through incentives focusing on professional clinical development. Project STARR included staff training, mentorship and supervision support. This investment has strengthened our ability to meet growing community needs while ensuring that our patients receive consistent, compassionate and effective treatment.

What impact did you see?

Support from CareFirst has further strengthened our service delivery by allowing us to invest in our workforce-ensuring we have well-trained, supported staff who can meet the growing demand for services. Through Project STARR's "Each one, Teach one" Incentive, staff were supported with stipends to obtain professional experience while training entry level interns from the community. Community internships have provided us with a trained and vetted recruitment pool; three of these success stories, "Anne," "Jane," and "Skyler" began as Pathways Interns attending a local Community College. Subsequently hired as entry level counselors, under Project STARR all three completed their AA degrees and initial addiction certifications (CSC-AD). Jane went on to obtain her advanced addiction certification (CAC-AD) under Project STARR and currently is in graduate school to become a professional counselor. Project STARR also supported our licensed clinical staff to become approved supervisors; five staff gained new approval from one or more state boards to provide supervision. Two of our new supervisors from our McNew Family Medical Center's Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital began accepting McNew's first Interns with the support of Project STARR. Pathways most recent Social Work Intern, "Ella," completed her foundation year internship at McNew, then her concentration Internship at Pathways. Ella completed her MSW in April and has just accepted an inpatient position at Pathways.

Another Project STARR's key success has been the provision of employment-based internships on-site to support retention. During the project, eight employees (including those hired from our community college internship "pool") have participated in Pathways Behavioral Health Internships without needing to seek employment elsewhere to pursue higher education. Project STARR helped us to develop a clinically sound supervision program including robust and interactive group supervision by supporting experiential training and material. Both "Anne" and "Skylar" transitioned their AA degrees into higher education, graduating from Bachelor of Social Work programs and both then obtained their advanced CAC-AD certifications with Project STARR's support. With Project STARR's ongoing support, both entered MSW programs with advanced standing, and have since graduated and obtained their LMSW licenses. Due to their professional development, Anne, Jane and Skylar have all been promoted to advanced Counselors and Pathways has been able to retain their skills and talents. All are currently receiving clinical supervision from Pathways for eventual licensure as initiated under Project STARR.

An additional, but unexpected benefit of our retained workforce could be reflected in the increased number of patients that we have been able to assist; in FY22, prior to implementing Project STARR, our average daily patient census (ADC) was 21 patients in contrast with 24 patients during year three (FY25) of the grant. As another indicator, during FY22 Pathways provided 7,697 patient days compared with 8,897 patient days during FY25.

Why is mental and behavioral health important to your organization/community?

Mental and behavioral health are foundational to the mission of Luminis Health because they so directly shape the well-being of the individuals and families we serve. Community health needs assessments (CHNAs) across our region consistently highlight the growing prevalence of substance use disorders and mental health conditions, along with real gaps in access to timely, appropriate care. These challenges are not abstract; they show up in our emergency departments, in our schools and in the day-to-day lives of our patients, often compounding other health and social needs.

At Luminis Health, we see behavioral health as inseparable from overall health. That is why we have made it a priority to expand access to compassionate, coordinated services that meet people where they are. Pathways is a key part of this commitment, offering structured, evidence-based treatment and recovery support for individuals facing substance use disorders. Through Pathways, patients receive not only clinical care, but also the stability and support needed to move toward long-term recovery and wellness.

In the long-term, we hope that trauma-informed care in the classroom coupled with a robust socio-emotional program for students, alumni and their families, supported by external educational partnerships that provide access and remove barriers to mental health care will mitigate the long-lasting impacts of childhood trauma that can occur without intervention. We hope this will prepare families for the commitments of high school and college, lower the number of student transfers, and strengthen the percentage of alumni who achieve both a college and graduate degree.

Ultimately, prioritizing mental and behavioral health is about caring for the whole person, reducing stigma and building healthier, more resilient communities.

Learn more about Luminis Health, Inc.

What is the mission of your organization?

Pathway Homes is a behavioral healthcare organization built on the foundation of providing affordable housing for adults with serious mental illness (SMI). Once housed, we provide wraparound services including case management, tenancy support, mental health skill building, crisis stabilization and access to community resources. By partnering with individuals on their personal journey, we work toward helping them achieve stability, self-fulfillment, and realization of their dreams. We own and leases more than 500 properties throughout Northern Virginia, and touch nearly 2,000 lives every year, ensuring access to affordable homes and the supportive services that help individuals remain stable in those homes.

What program did the CareFirst grant support?

Expanding Behavioral Health Workforce through Accessible Supervised Clinical Residency and Licensure Supervision Opportunities.

What impact did you see?

CareFirst’s funding allowed Pathway Homes to dedicate over 370 hours of Board-approved supervision to social work and counseling supervisees, as well as to Certified Substance Abuse Counselors (CSAC) and Qualified Mental Health Professionals (QMHP) residents in training. The grant made it possible for these valuable supervision hours to be provided at no cost to staff, by experienced Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) at Pathway Homes.

As a result of this program, one individual was on track to complete the supervision hours required to be credentialed as a LCSW by this spring; nine individuals received their QMHP certification and 100% received a bonus or salary increase within 6 months of obtaining that certification. Additionally, two individuals registered for CSAC supervision, and one was on track to completion by the beginning of 2026. Other notable outcomes as of the end of the program include a 26% increase in the number of individuals provided reimbursable Mental Health Skill Building services, and an increase in the number of behavioral health services offered to new clients through our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program.

Obtaining the required clinical supervision hours towards licensure can cost up to $10,000 for LCSWs and even more for LPCs, making this valuable credential cost-prohibitive for many potential candidates. Similar financial burden is imposed on CSAC and QMHP trainees while the demand for these specialized behavioral health positions remains high across the state.

The CareFirst Behavioral Health Workforce Development Program directly addressed this problem and contributed to the Pathway Homes’ ability to offer this benefit as a professional development opportunity as well as a hiring and retention strategy. While some of the candidates that graduated from the program, or were close to graduating, moved on from Pathway Homes, getting them credentialed or close to completion, ultimately served the broader community as it contributed to decreasing the gap between the demand and supply of these critical behavioral health professionals. Supervision is paired with required experiential clinical work serving individuals with serious mental illnesses—ensuring that learning is grounded in real-world practice. As a result, supervisees not only gained required licensure hours; they developed the confidence, competence, and ethical grounding needed to become independent professionals wherever they ended up practicing.

Overall, this investment increased the number of credentialed clinicians within Pathway Homes, directly expanding our capacity to offer and sustain behavioral health service lines such as community crisis stabilization and skill building services. Beyond Pathway Homes, more credentialed professionals mean shorter wait times, broader access and higher-quality care for individuals who rely on these services.

Why is mental and behavioral health important to your organization/community?

Pathway Homes was founded in 1980 by a coalition of family members seeking long-term housing stability and quality services for their loved ones with mental illnesses. These family members were joined by mental health professionals who believed affordable, safe, and decent housing plus tailored supports were powerful tools for recovery.

Our evidence-based model of providing safe, stable, and affordable permanent housing, paired with voluntary supportive services such as such as case management, mental health treatment, substance use services are offered to help individuals remain stably housed and improve their well-being has been shown to help individuals stabilize and avoid hospitalization and incarceration. By prioritizing stable housing and empowering our clients to decide on the services they need, we can be more effective at reducing homelessness and at increasing housing stability.

Pathway Homes’ advocacy work seeks to build support for public policies to protect and improve access to permanent supportive housing and mental health services in the public and private sectors. We support initiatives to prevent and end homelessness and increase availability and access to effective recovery services for adults with mental illnesses and/or co-occurring disabilities.

Learn more about Pathway Homes.

What is the mission of your organization?

Pathways to Housing DC’s mission and programs have been the catalyst for ending chronic homelessness since our founding in 2004. As one of the region’s largest Housing First providers with the largest homeless street outreach effort in the community, Pathways has strong roots in the region. Most importantly, the people we serve share their trust in our work and build lasting relationships with our community of care givers. Year after year, we hear from our clients that “Pathways did not give up on me.”

Key services include:

• Housing First Teams: Pairing permanent housing with Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams (psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, case managers) to support housing retention, which boasts over a 90% success rate.
• Homeless Street Outreach: Building relationships with people living on the streets to meet immediate basic needs and connect them to housing and healthcare.
• Integrated Health & Recovery: Providing comprehensive care, including substance use counseling, mental health treatment, and primary care partnerships.

What program did the CareFirst grant support?

CareFirst generously supported Pathways to Housing DC’s Strengthening the Behavioral Health Workforce - A Community Response to Ending Homelessness initiative. Pathways to Housing DC strengthened the capacity of our behavioral health care workforce by providing deeper and more innovative investments in recruitment, training, retention and continuing education in an effort to increase access to quality behavioral and mental health care services for the District’s and Montgomery County, MD’s most vulnerable populations. As one of the region’s largest Housing First providers, Pathways to Housing DC successfully increased investments in our dedicated community mental and behavioral health professionals resulting in improved access to quality care and ultimately, a stronger workforce to meet ongoing needs in our community.

What impact did you see?

Pathways to Housing DC was able to successfully attract talented professionals to this important work. Newly recruited positions ranged from Peer Support Specialists and Registered Nurses to Assertive Community Treatment Team Supervisors and Clinical Supervisors.

We are incredibly proud to have established Educational Incentives Awards. The Education Awards have helped to fund staff pursuing a variety of degreed programs including Master of Clinical Social Work, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs, Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, among others.

Pathways to Housing DC was honored by The Washingtonian as a 2025 "Great Places to Work," a reflection of our strengthened workforce engagement efforts. Based on the Staff Survey, we scored high marks in six areas of engagement, professional development, and overall attitudes about working at Pathways to Housing DC. Notable staff feedback overwhelmingly connected to the workforce investments provided by CareFirst included:

• “My manager makes an effort to see me grow”
• “The organization provides training or experiences to help me explore other possible opportunities”
• “I feel supported in professional growth”
• “I feel that I contribute to meaningful work”
• “My organization pays special attention to supporting the career development of young, first-time workers”
• “There is room for me to advance at this organization”

Innovation and technology were finally able to take the spotlight with the piloting of Eleos AI across our Assertive Community Treatment efforts. We have successfully adopted AI-assisted clinical note-taking tools—an innovation that enhances staff efficiency and reduces burnout, especially in clinical documentation-intensive roles.

Pathways to Housing DC is incredibly proud to now be a National Health Service Corps site. In areas of capacity for recruiting strong candidates to the behavioral health workforce, we are now much more strongly positioned to attract and retain sought-after roles that include psychiatrists, certified addictions counselors, nurses and social workers.

Why is mental and behavioral health important to your organization/community?

At Pathways to Housing DC, we know housing is healthcare, mental wellness matters, and ending homelessness makes all communities stronger. For organizations like Pathways to Housing DC, mental and behavioral health services are fundamental because they address the complex "dual diagnosis" of mental illness and substance use that often fuels chronic homelessness. Rather than treating housing and healthcare as separate issues, Pathways integrates them to break the cycle of instability.

Traditional services can often fail individuals with mental and behavioral health challenges. Organizations like Pathways to Housing DC targets this specific population to ensure they don't fall through the cracks.

• High Retention Rates: By providing interdisciplinary Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams—which include psychiatrists, nurses, and social workers—we maintains a housing retention rate of at least 91%.
• Preventing Institutionalization: Integrated behavioral health helps keep individuals out of psychiatric wards, shelters, and jails. This not only improves their quality of life but also reduces financial burdens on the local community.
• Integrated Care: In partnership with Unity Health Care, Pathways offers an on-site, walk-in clinic that combines mental health and primary care, leading to fewer emergency room visits and better medication adherence.

The health equity divide, especially for communities of color, is fueled by a legitimate historical mistrust. When organizations like Pathways to Housing DC bring behavioral health services directly to the streets or into the home through a "Housing First" lens, they meet people where they are. This model shifts the power dynamic, moving from "compliance-based" care to "relationship-based" care. This approach honors the dignity of residents and begins to repair the broken contract between the community and the healthcare system.

Learn more about Pathways to Housing DC.

What is the mission of your organization?

The Pride Center of Maryland (PCOM) advances the health, safety, and well-being of sexuality and gender-diverse communities by centering self-love, confronting systemic barriers and co-creating a society where all people are valued and able to thrive through cultural affirmation, leadership and social justice.

What program did the CareFirst grant support?

Well-being and Behavioral Health (WBHC) Project

What impact did you see?

Impact Observed:

The program demonstrated strong, consistent engagement, with sessions ranging from 12 to 40 participants. Among LGBTQ+ youth, participants reported increased confidence in navigating their well-being, particularly around sexual health, identity and substance use, as well as improved coping and emotional regulation skills. Many shared that this was their first experience having open, affirming conversations about their identities, relationships and mental health in a safe space, which led to increased trust, peer connection and a greater willingness to access mental healthcare and supportive services.

Story of Impact:

One LGBTQ+ youth participant entered the program feeling isolated and unsure of where they fit, particularly as they navigated questions around identity, relationships and personal safety. Initially quiet and disengaged, they began to open up during sessions focused on sexual health, self-expression and coping with triggers. Over time, they started contributing to discussions, connecting with peers, and applying tools like grounding techniques and goal-setting outside of the group. By mid-program, they expressed greater confidence in advocating for their health and boundaries, and by the end, they showed interest in supporting other youth as a peer leader. Their journey reflects a broader trend within the program: LGBTQ+ youth moving from isolation and uncertainty toward affirmation, resilience and community connection.

Why is mental and behavioral health important to your organization/community?

Mental and behavioral health are central to the mission of the Pride Center of Maryland because the communities we serve—particularly Black LGBTQ+ individuals—face disproportionate levels of trauma, stigma, and systemic barriers that directly impact their overall well-being. Experiences such as discrimination, housing instability, HIV-related stigma, substance use and limited access to culturally competent care create conditions where mental health challenges are not only more prevalent but often unaddressed.

For our community, mental and behavioral health is not separate from physical health—it is foundational to it. When individuals are supported in managing trauma, building coping skills, and accessing affirming spaces, they are more likely to engage in care, make informed health decisions, and sustain long-term wellness. Our programs intentionally integrate mental health support into group services, peer engagement and health education, creating environments where participants feel seen, affirmed and empowered. Strengthening mental and behavioral health ultimately strengthens families, stabilizes communities and advances health equity across all areas of our work.

Learn more about Pride Center of Maryland.

What is the mission of your organization?

Sasha Bruce Youthwork improves the lives of runaway, homeless, abused and neglected youth and their families by providing safe housing, life skills and supportive services that empower young people to thrive.

What program did the CareFirst grant support?

CareFirst funding supported the implementation and expansion of an in-house Behavioral Health Clinician who provided trauma-informed mental health services to youth across our residential programs. The program focused on increasing access to therapy, reducing barriers to care, integrating clinical expertise into daily program operations and strengthening staff capacity to respond to mental health needs. Services included individual and group therapy, crisis intervention and support for youth experiencing grief, trauma, and housing instability.

What impact did you see?

The program significantly expanded access to mental health care for youth experiencing homelessness. During its tenure, the program provided direct services to nearly 100 youth people, with more than 3,000 hours of individual and group therapy delivered.

CareFirst funding supported the creation of a Youth Wellness Program and the placement of a dedicated Behavioral Health Clinician across six residential programs, reducing barriers to care and embedding trauma-informed support directly into daily services.

Beyond the numbers, the impact is best seen in the lives of the young people served. One young man, engaged with Sasha Bruce for over five years, exemplifies the long-term transformation made possible through consistent therapeutic support. After years of disrupted placements and emotional instability, he developed emotional regulation skills, gained steady employment, secured stable housing and began reconnecting with family. He continues to seek clinical support voluntarily, reflecting the lasting trust built through this work.

Other client experiences highlight the power of relationship-based care. One young woman who was initially resistant to therapy became increasingly engaged over time, ultimately using sessions to process trauma, improve communication and rebuild her relationship with her father. She successfully met her goals and transitioned to greater independence with stronger family connections.

The clinician also played a critical role in strengthening community dynamics within programs. In one instance, structured mediation between two residents experiencing ongoing conflict helped de-escalate tensions and restore a sense of stability. Through guided conversations and therapeutic tools, both individuals were able to communicate effectively and resolve the underlying issues.

CareFirst funding has also supported youth navigating identity-related challenges. One transgender young woman worked with the clinician to build confidence engaging in her community and ultimately secured employment where she reports feeling “confident and respected.”

The presence of an on-site clinician has also improved overall program safety and responsiveness, helping to de-escalate potentially violent situations, support youth and staff through grief and equip staff with tools to respond to trauma in real time.

The success of this model has led to sustained investment, with multiple programs now funding their own full-time clinicians and expanding access to care for even more youth.

Why is mental and behavioral health important to your organization/community?

Mental and behavioral health is central to the stability and long-term success of the young people we serve. For many youth, mental health challenges are both a cause and a consequence of homelessness. Untreated depression, anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, substance use and other behavioral health concerns can contribute to family conflict, school disengagement, job instability and difficulty maintaining supportive relationships—all of which increase vulnerability to housing instability.

At the same time, the experience of homelessness often intensifies these challenges. Youth experiencing homelessness face chronic stress, significant trauma, grief and uncertainty, all of which can worsen existing mental health conditions or create new ones. Without access to consistent, trauma-informed care, these challenges can escalate into crisis and make it even harder for young people to secure and sustain housing, employment, and community connections.

Integrating behavioral health services into our programs ensures that youth receive support where they are, when they need it helping them build resilience, regulate emotions, strengthen coping skills and move toward long-term independence. This approach recognizes that mental health is not separate from housing stability—it is foundational to it.

Learn more about Sasha Bruce Youthwork.

What is the mission of your organization?

SMYAL supports & empowers LGBTQ+ youth. We actively work to create a world where queer and trans youth thrive through affirming programs and services designed to develop critical life skills, build community and foster a sense of belonging.

What program did the CareFirst grant support?

CareFirst’s funding provided transformational support for SMYAL’s mental health program that is designed for LGBTQ+ youth ages 6-24. SMYAL’s cost-free services are hosted both in-person in Washington, D.C. as well as virtually through telehealth. SMYAL therapists are licensed to provide therapy in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. SMYAL’s mental health services include: individual and group therapy, play therapy for youth ages 6-12, support for families and caregivers, and bilingual therapy in English and Spanish.

What impact did you see?

Our team of compassionate and experienced therapists understands the complex realities LGBTQ+ youth navigate every day. From identity exploration and family dynamics to trauma, discrimination and mental health challenges, our clinicians meet young people with care, respect and cultural humility. Through consistent, affirming therapy, we help clients build coping skills, strengthen self-trust and move forward with greater confidence, resilience, and stability. Our mental health program offers play therapy for ages 6-13; individual and family therapy; bilingual therapy for Spanish speakers and in-school support groups. Our clients have the following to say about our mental health program:

“Before I started therapy, I didn't have motivation. SMYAL helped me get through tough times. Thank you for your help.”

-Youth Counseling Client

“For me, it has always been a priority for my child to express her authentic self, and I really appreciate your role in contributing to this. Over the past year, my child's ability to self-advocate and share what she needs has increased tremendously. So, thank you for all of your contributions to this growth and much more (that I don’t even know about right now!).”

-Parent of Counseling Client

“Thank you so much for all you have done for my child - the intervention and therapy has been so helpful for her to process all her feelings, and to have a safe place where she could be herself and express her thoughts without any filter. We really appreciate all the support that you have given us as a family as well - the sustainability plan will be a great resource to make sure that we continue to maintain all the good supports and coping strategies that you helped put in place. I also really appreciate the list of additional providers in case my child needs more support. I hope that you are able to help more kids and families through SMYAL, the way that you have helped us. We appreciate all your work!”

-Parent of Counseling Client

Last year, SMYAL launched in-school therapy groups for queer and trans middle schoolers in Prince George’s County. On the program’s first day, dozens of students arrived, some nervous, others excited and many simply relieved to be in a space where they could show up as themselves. Today, more than 90 students participate each week at a single school—an extraordinary level of engagement for any middle school program, underscoring just how needed this support is.

On the final day of the spring session, students were asked to share one insight they were taking with them. Their responses were powerful:

• “I don’t have to have it all figured out right now”
• “I know I am enough”
• “I am going to love myself even when I feel like no one else does”

In 2025

• 128 Individual therapy clients were served
• 42 Clients completed their therapy journeys
• 102 In-school support group participants were engaged
• 13 Spanish-speaking clients were enrolled

Why is mental and behavioral health important to your organization/community?

According to the Trevor Project’s 2024 National Survey on LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health, 39% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year, while 90% said their well-being was negatively impacted by recent politics. Transgender and nonbinary youth who had access to gender-affirming mental health care reported lower rates of depression and suicidality.

SMYAL’s mental health program provides free and affirming mental health counseling to LGBTQ+ youth ages 6-24. Through individual talk therapy provided in person at our youth center and virtually as well as group sessions held at schools, SMYAL counselors are helping young people overcome trauma, stress, and high-risk behaviors.

SMYAL’s therapists use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that research has shown leads to significant improvement in functioning and quality of life. The program is being led by a licensed Director of Clinical Services with more than 15 years of experience who oversees three other clinicians: a play therapist, child and adolescent therapist and bilingual (Spanish) therapist.

SMYAL also hosts virtual support groups for parents and caregivers through our MOSAIC program to help them get a better understanding of what their child is experiencing and to connect them with their own support systems.

Learn more about SMYAL.

What is the mission of your organization?

As a Federally Qualified Health Center, we provide affordable, high-quality healthcare within reach of the surrounding communities. We currently serve the community with full family medicine, behavioral health, women's health, dental, and optometry services. We strive to become the provider of choice. West Cecil Health Center, Inc. (WCHC) is a proud Patient-Centered Medical Home that uses a team-based approach to ensure quality care, lower costs, and an excellent patient experience. We partner with patients and their other providers to tailor care to their needs, building relationships based on respect, trust, confidence and care.

The mission of West Cecil Health Center is to provide personal, accessible and reliable care for our community.

What program did the CareFirst grant support?

The Expanding Access to Behavioral Health Services Among Youth in Northeastern Maryland grant supported funding to add multiple behavioral health providers and a community health worker. In return, supporting the treatment and care coordination services for at-risk youth, particularly with LGBTQ+ and minority patients.

Dr. McFarland, Behavioral Health Director, played a key role in obtaining this grant, but sadly passed away before its completion. We continued to dedicate ourselves to advancing this grant in her memory.

What impact did you see?

Throughout the implementation of this grant, we encountered some staffing hurdles. However, with dedication and teamwork, we experienced significant growth in our staffing levels. One of the biggest impacts was actually within the data collected for reporting the grant. It was always important to note that the information in the "Gender of Youth Served" section may be skewed. Typically, parents or guardians provide demographic information; however, concerns regarding stigma, discrimination and victimization can lead to inaccuracies in the reported gender of the youth. In response to those concerns, WCHC formed a LGBTQIA+ support group, offering vital virtual community support for children, adults and their families.

Why is mental and behavioral health important to your organization/community?

At WCHC, we understand being healthy means taking care of our bodies physically and mentally.

Learn more about West Cecil Health Center.

What is the mission of your organization?

At Whitman-Walker Health (WWH), we provide comprehensive and inclusive primary medical care, behavioral health care, dental care, family support services, and a range of health-related legal and support services to more than 20,000 individuals and families annually in the greater Washington, D.C. region. Our care model is rooted in our legacy of service to the LGBTQ communities, people living with HIV, Black and Latino communities and other people facing barriers to accessing health care. At Whitman-Walker Health, our motto “We See You” symbolizes that we see patients, but we see the person first.

What program did the CareFirst grant support?

CareFirst supported our Breaking Barriers to Better project, focused on increasing mental health education and support for youth in D.C. CareFirst specifically supported youth peer outreach interns through Urban Alliance, trainings for the interns and our staff, and supplies for outreach in the community and on site at our clinics. This project focused on bringing education and awareness into the community and de-stigmatizing mental health by focusing on meeting high schoolers at schools, community groups, through social media for interactive discussion, hands-on learning and information about the therapy program at Whitman-Walker.

What impact did you see?

Whitman-Walker's Youth Mental Health program saw an increase in referrals during the time of this project, allowing us to screen over 330 youth for unmet mental health needs and increase the referral rate to over 70%. A particularly supportive event sponsored by CareFirst was our Expressive Arts Self Care Fair, facilitated by peer outreach interns and an art therapy intern for high schoolers in D.C., with particular focus on meeting youth in Wards 7 and 8. Held at the Max Robinson Center in Congress Heights, participants were provided with dinner and "mental health take home bags" filled with journals and fidget toys. The participants were guided through a two- hour event focused on education around mental health, as well as an art therapy directive where they were able to make canvas tote bags. Participants shared positive feedback from the event, and two were referred directly to the youth mental health therapy program.

Why is mental and behavioral health important to your organization/community?

Behavioral health is at the core of Whitman-Walker's work as part of an integrated health care system we know that mental health can be at the center of positive health outcomes for patient's overall. We also know that there has been stigma about mental health support in the past and CareFirst's support allowed us to meet people where they are in the community and be able to incorporate mental health through therapy and beyond.

Learn more about Whitman-Walker Health.

What is the mission of your organization?

Worcester Youth & Family Counseling Services, Inc. (WYFCS) is a nonprofit organization formed in 1975 out of a need to meet mental health needs in the community. Its mission is to provide mental health services and support programs to youth and families so that they may lead healthy, productive lives. Today the organization has several programs including clinical mental health, youth mentoring, resource navigation and youth enrichment.

What program did the CareFirst grant support?

CareFirst funding supported the clinical program by helping to increase access to behavioral health care, focusing on the recruitment and retention of mental health clinicians. We created a recruitment and retention team that focused on marketing, onboarding new employees and assessing employee satisfaction. Within this we created a wellness room, focused on wellness activities for staff, offered free CEUs and provided a warm and supportive atmosphere. We were also able to create an internship program for clinical students obtaining their masters degrees.

What impact did you see?

We were able to increase our clinical staff from 6 to 10 by the end of the grant, which was our goal. The internship program was very successful and we hired our first two interns as licensed graduate clinicians, which is included in that number. The interns and clinicians recruited during the three-year period allowed us to serve 80 additional clients and provide 707 additional hours of therapy. The entire clinical team thus provided a grand total of 9,756 hours of therapy with 875 clients. In addition, clinicians reported that they enjoyed all wellness activities and utilized the wellness room for breaks and relaxation for at least 1.5 hours per week (per clinician). Employee satisfaction surveys consistently showed an average of 90% satisfaction with their jobs and work atmosphere. This would not have been possible without the support of CareFirst.

Why is mental and behavioral health important to your organization/community?

Mental health is the foundation of Worcester Youth & Family and is very important to our community. The 2025 Worcester County Community Health Assessment conducted by the Worcester County Health Department showed that "Mental Health Problems" was the number one "Health Problem" in our community for all survey respondents, followed by Substance Abuse and Chronic Disease. With that, it was also found that there is only 1 mental health provider for every 290 residents, leaving limited access to care. This is why mental health remains at the center of our organization, and initiatives like the one that CareFirst supported in this grant are very critical to our community.

Learn more about Worcester Youth & Family Counseling Services, Inc.