About the Allegany County LBHA
The Allegany County Local Behavioral Health Authority (LBHA) is responsible for planning, managing, and monitoring publicly funded behavioral health services within the county. This includes planning for service development, encouraging providers to develop and deliver a full range of treatment and rehabilitation services for individuals with mental illness or substance use disorders, and working with the Behavioral Health Administration, Office of Health Care Quality, and organizations that manage behavioral health services to investigate complaints and monitor the delivery of services.
Additionally, the LBHA works to ensure people have access to needed services, educates the public about mental health and substance abuse, hosts trainings to enhance skills of behavioral health providers, and advocates with other systems on behalf of individuals with mental health and substance use disorders
Finding Services:
- Information on Local Behavioral Health Resources:
- We provide information on Medicaid-eligible behavioral health services in Allegany County. Call us at 301-759-5070 for personalized assistance.
- State Care Coordination (SCC):
- The purpose of State Care Coordination services is to expand access to a comprehensive array of community-based behavioral health services for Maryland residents in varying stages of recovery from substance use disorders. It is designed to improve recovery outcomes for individuals identified as at high risk for relapse. The State Care Coordinator will assist the client in working toward their goals, which could include linkage to behavioral health treatment, employment, entitlements, housing, vital documents, and other resources (please note that eligibility for these resources will be determined by the agency providing that service). State Care Coordination is intended for individuals who are transitioning between levels of substance use treatment care. Please contact the LBHA for the full eligibility criteria and referral information.
- Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH):
- The PATH program serves individuals who have a serious mental illness with or without a co-occurring substance use disorder and are experiencing homelessness or are at imminent risk of experiencing homelessness. The PATH coordinator provides case management services, which could include linkage to behavioral health treatment, housing, employment, entitlements, vital documents, and other resources (please note that eligibility for these resources will be determined by the agency providing that service).
- Maryland Community Criminal Justice Treatment Program (MCCJTP):
- The MCCJTP program enrolls interested individuals who have a serious mental illness with or without a co-occurring substance use disorder who are actively incarcerated at the Allegany County Detention Center. The MCCJTP coordinator works with the individual to develop goals and create an aftercare plan in preparation for their release from incarceration. The coordinator will then continue to provide case management services in the community after their release, which could include linkage to behavioral health treatment, housing, employment, entitlements, vital documents, and other resources (please note that eligibility for these resources will be determined by the agency providing that service).
Financial Assistance:
- Mental Health Client Support Funding:
- Mental health providers may request funding to be used for eligible items/services for the purpose of enabling an adult client to access or retain community-based mental health services. The requested item/service must be linked to the client’s treatment, rehabilitation, or recovery plan goals. It must be documented that this funding is utilized as a last resort. Please contact the LBHA for more information or to obtain the Mental Health Client Support request form.
- Maryland RecoveryNet (MDRN) Client Support Funding:
- Substance use treatment providers may request funding to be used for eligible items/services for the purpose of enabling an adult client to access or retain community-based behavioral health services. All individuals receiving MDRN funding must first be enrolled in the State Care Coordination program. The requested item/service must be linked to the client’s clinical and/or recovery support plan goals. It must be documented that this funding is utilized as a last resort. Please contact the LBHA for more information.
- Homeless ID Funding:
- Homeless ID funding may be requested for individuals who are experiencing homelessness or are at imminent risk of homelessness, and have a mental illness or co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder, to access state identification cards and birth certificates.
- Mental Health Treatment Transportation Assistance:
- Mental health providers may request bus tickets to be used for qualifying clients to attend treatment appointments. The client must meet eligibility criteria and have no other source of transportation. Please contact the LBHA for more information or to obtain a bus ticket request form.
Housing Support:
- Continuum of Care (CoC) Permanent Supportive Housing:
- The CoC program provides permanent housing and supportive services to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or meet other living situation eligibility criteria (as defined by HUD), and have a serious mental illness or co-occurring serious mental illness and substance use disorders. The goal of the program is to provide safe and decent housing, break the cycle of recidivism in the criminal justice system as a result of experiencing homelessness, assist participants in obtaining/remaining in permanent housing, increasing the skills and income of participants, and helping participants achieve greater self-determination. Please note that space in this program is incredibly limited and all new CoC participants are identified through Allegany County’s Coordinated Entry system, which has various access points. For more information, please contact the LBHA.
Filing a Complaint:
- How to File a Complaint About Behavioral Health Services:
- If you have a complaint about Medicaid- or State-funded behavioral health services, call us at 301-759-5070. You can also file a complaint about Medicaid services through Carelon Behavioral Health at 1-800-888-1965.
Eligibility and How to Apply
- General Eligibility:
- Many of our programs serve Medicaid-eligible individuals and those with mental health or substance use disorders. Specific eligibility requirements vary by program.
- For information on how to apply for specific programs, please contact the LBHA at 301-759-5070. We can provide application forms and guidance.
Suicide Prevention Hotline – 988
Need immediate emotional support? Call 988 to connect to a counselor who can help. Our specialists provide confidential care 24/7. Because we all need help sometimes.
Lethal Means Safey Initiatives
Allegany County is committed to suicide prevention through proactive Lethal Means Safety initiatives. To support this goal, we offer free resources such as gun locks, medication lockboxes, and gun safes, which are physical materials designed to limit access to items that could be used in a suicide attempt.
A partnership between the Allegany County Local Behavioral Health Authority (LBHA) and Allegany County Library System (ACLS) to distribute gun safety locks to help promote gun safety and reduce the rates of suicide and self-harm. Each lock has the crisis line information, 988, as well as a wallet card with 988 contact information and suicide warning signs that may mean someone is at risk, and an instruction guide on how to install the locks on a number of different guns. If you are interested in obtaining a gun lock or other safe storage means, please contact the LBHA.
Get Involved! Join the Consumer Advisory Board!
The Consumer Advisory Board gives individuals with lived experience in using public mental health and substance use services, and their families, a powerful voice in shaping the Allegany County behavioral health system. We provide a local platform for consumers to represent their needs and contribute to the decisions made by the Local Behavioral Health Authority.
- Meetings are held virtually the second Wednesday of each month at 11:00am
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Consumer Advisory Board, click here to apply. If you would like to sign up and do not have the ability to print and mail the form in, please email [email protected]
Take Mental Health First Aid Training!
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a crucial resource within the community, focusing on equipping individuals with the skills to recognize and respond to mental health challenges. This training will prioritize staff working in behavioral health service settings, educational environments, and those providing emergency medical services, ensuring these frontline professionals are prepared to offer initial support. MHFA classes will be accessible to the general public, empowering community members to become mental health allies.
If you are interested, please complete our interest form here!
Contact Us
- Allegany County Local Behavioral Health Authority
- Allegany County Health Department
- Physical Address: 12501 Willowbrook Road, Cumberland, MD 21502
- Mailing Address: PO Box 1745, Cumberland, MD 21502
- Phone: 301-759-5070
- Fax: 301-724-1036 or 301-777-5621
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.alleganymhm.org/
