New Maryland funding opportunities announced

Maryland Community Health Resources Commission announces new statewide funding opportunities to expand health care access in underserved communities, promote health equity, and deliver student behavioral health services

The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC), an independent commission within the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), has announced the release of two funding opportunities to expand access to health care, promote health equity, and deliver student behavioral health services across the state.

The CHRC’s annual Request for Applications (RFA) provides $7 million to support public investments in underserved communities and reflects the Commission’s longstanding commitment to advancing health equity and addressing social determinants of health. Under this RFA, the Commission will receive projects in six areas of focus: 1) hospital-community partnerships, 2) supporting medically vulnerable populations, 3) chronic disease prevention and disease management, 4) maternal and child health, 5) dental care, and 6) adult behavioral health needs. This year’s RFA includes an emphasis on addressing recent federal changes to Medicaid. Mandatory

Letters of Intent are due to the CHRC at 12:00 noon on December 1, 2026. Full grant applications are due on January 7, 2027. Grants are expected to be awarded in April 2027. The RFA can be accessed here: https://health.maryland.gov/mchrc/Pages/notices.aspx

“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my number one priority, and that starts with ensuring every person has access to healthcare,” said Gov. Wes Moore. "These new CHRC funding opportunities are uplifting Maryland by investing in critical programs expanding care in communities that need it most and ensuring students and families have every tool they need to succeed.”

“Expanding access to quality health care requires solutions that reflect the unique needs of Maryland’s communities,” said Dr. Destiny-Simone Ramjohn, Chair of the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission. “Through our annual grant program and the Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports, we are investing in partnerships that strengthen Maryland’s health care safety net, address disparities in care, and expand behavioral health resources for students and families. Together, these funding opportunities will support community organizations in delivering meaningful, lasting improvements in the health and well-being of Marylanders.”

Since its inception, the CHRC has awarded 1,044 grants totaling $499 million, supporting programs in every jurisdiction of the state. These programs have collectively served more than 925,000 Marylanders. CHRC grantees have leveraged initial grant investments to secure more than $67.4 million in additional federal, private, and local funding.

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The second RFA, issued through the Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports program, focuses on expanding access to behavioral health services for Maryland students and families. This investment, funded through the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, will sustain and expand school-based behavioral health services for the 2027–2028 school year. Grants awarded under this RFA will support full Community Supports Partnerships and organizations are invited to apply directly to the CHRC by invitation only. Service providers will apply through their local Community Supports Partnerships Hub and should consult their local Hub for application requirements and deadlines. Funding is contingent upon the fiscal year 2028 budget allowance and final enactment of the state budget in the spring. Grants are expected to be awarded in May 2027. The RFA will be posted here: https://bit.ly/4iODY0N

“Every student deserves access to the behavioral health resources and support they need to succeed, both in and out of the classroom,” said David D. Rudolph, Chair of the Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports. “Through the Consortium, we are strengthening partnerships between schools, health care providers, and community organizations to connect students and families with critical services when and where they need them. This funding will build on our progress in toward creating a stronger, more coordinated system of behavioral health care for Maryland’s young people.”

During the 2025-2026 school year, Consortium-funded programs served more than 218,000 students in 90% of Maryland's schools. 92% of students served demonstrated a new behavioral health skill, and more than 83% had improved behavioral health outcomes. 89% of students and families report satisfaction with the behavioral health services received.

About the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission

The Maryland General Assembly established the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) in 2005, in recognition of the need for an independent commission focused on addressing the unique health needs of vulnerable populations, strengthening the state’s network of community health resources, and closing gaps in health care delivery. As Maryland’s health investment engine, the CHRC directs resources toward community-based interventions that improve health system performance. For more information visit: https://health.maryland.gov/mchrc/Pages/home.aspx

About the Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports

The Consortium was established by the Maryland General Assembly as part of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, enacted in 2021. The Consortium’s mission is to develop a statewide framework for delivering holistic behavioral health and wraparound services to students through community partnerships. For more information visit: https://bit.ly/4iODY0N