The Caroline County Commissioners Meeting held on May 13, 2025, focused on several key topics, primarily revolving around the partnership with Midshore Behavioral Health and its impact on local mental health services.

The meeting commenced with a presentation highlighting the collaboration between the county and Midshore Behavioral Health. The speaker emphasized the importance of this partnership, particularly in navigating the complexities of the behavioral health system, which operates on a fee-for-service model. The transition to a new administrative company, Carillon, for Medicaid billing was noted as a significant challenge. Midshore Behavioral Health played a crucial role in advocating for service providers during this transition, ensuring that their voices were represented.

The discussion also covered the support provided by Midshore in grant writing, particularly for a new recovery home for women. The speaker acknowledged the difficulties associated with grant applications and praised Midshore for assisting the operator in successfully submitting their application. This support is vital for community initiatives, as it helps secure funding for essential services.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the funding provided by Midshore for school-based mental health services. The speaker pointed out the extensive reporting requirements associated with these funds, which demand considerable time and effort from the behavioral health team.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the health department's limited staffing and the challenges of expanding prevention programs. The focus remains on enhancing existing initiatives, such as wellness programs and tobacco cessation efforts.

Overall, the meeting underscored the importance of collaboration between the county and Midshore Behavioral Health in addressing mental health needs and securing necessary resources for the community. The commissioners expressed their commitment to continuing this partnership to improve behavioral health services in Caroline County.