Behavioral Health Workforce Development and Expansion

​The MDH Behavioral Health Administration receives federal funds from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) for the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant​ as well as ARPA funds.​ OPHI leverages SOR grant dollars to enhance the training of higher education students and incorporate best practices for preventing and treating Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). The program aims to strengthen the behavioral health workforce in Maryland's communities by directly maximizing the concentration of prevention resources in communities that otherwise would have limited access to services.

Funds support schools of higher education with student:

• Participant support costs
• Behavioral health internships
• Courses and training (OUD, SUD, SBIRT, clinical)​
• Curriculum infusion

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) administers the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant. The 3-year grant is awarded to the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). However, the program which oversees the grant is within OPHI. The purpose of this grant is to address the opioid overdose crisis by providing resources to states and territories for increasing access to FDA-approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder (MOUD), and for suppor​ting the continuum of prevention, harm reduction, treatment, ​and recovery support services for opioid use disorder (OUD) and other concurrent substance use disorders. The SOR program also supports the continuum of care for stimulant misuse and use disorders, including for cocaine and methamphetamine.

First Year: 9/30/24 - 9/29/25 
Second Year:  9/30/25 - 9/29/26 
Third Year: 9/30/26 - 9/29/27