Baltimore behavioral health providers are eligible to register to get the COVID vaccine as part of Priority Group 1A.  Take the following steps to register for the vaccine:

1. Go to the COVAX Priority Group  webpage
2. Verify that your profession is on the list Priority Group 1A health care workers (scroll to the Priority Group 1A Healthcare Worker Definitions section)
3. Schedule an appointment to get the vaccine (scroll to the Registration Links section and choose from the list of dates) Please only sign up for one appointment.

For questions, email covidvaccine@baltimorecity.gov and BCHD will respond as soon as they can!

• Information on COVID-19 for Health Care Providers (CDC)
• COVID-19 Resources and Guidance (Medicaid)
• Telemedicine Provider Fact Sheet (Medicaid)
• SAMHSA Resources and Guidelines for Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
• Use of Telemedicine While Providing MAT (DEA)
• Diversion Control Division COVID-19 Information (DEA)

• The US Department of Health and Human Services is using discretion in enforcement of HIPAA requirements related to telehealth. While we continue to advise the use of HIPAA compliant platforms, this guidance is helpful to understand in this emerging situation.

• Maryland Department of Health COVID-19 Website
• The Behavioral Health Administration will be will be putting out COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) twice a week on their COVID-19 webpage. If you have a question for BHA, please submit it HERE.
• Steps for Residential Providers to Respond to Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 Cases
• Directive and Order Regarding the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists (April 6)
• Guidance for Supported Employment Services (April 1)
• Guidance for Therapeutic Group Homes and Residential Treatment Centers (March 30, 2020)
• Guidance for Small Groups Home or Congregate Facility settings (March 27, 2020)
• Memorandum on Telehealth for Somatic Services (March 21, 2020)– Document 4a
• Memorandum on Telehealth for Specialty Behavioral Health Services (March 21,2020)–Document 4b
• Memorandum on Telehealth for Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (PRP) Services (March 21,2020)–Document 4c
• Memorandum from the Deputy Secretary (March 17, 2020): Guidance for Recovery Residences and Residential Rehabilitation Programs
• MDH Letter to Clinicians (March 13, 2020)​​​ 
• Memorandum from the Deputy Secretary (March 12, 2020): Guidance regarding Telehealth Expansion Regulations 
• Memorandum from the Secretary (March 11, 2020): Temporary Expansion of Medicaid Regulations to Permit Delivery of Telehealth Services​ 

• To report COVID 19 cases among staff or patients, please fill out this form online. According to BHA’s COVID 19 Reporting Protocol, all licensed OTPs, Residential Crisis Beds, ASAM SUD Residential Programs, Group Homes, Recovery Residences, Residential Rehabilitation Programs (RRPs), and other Congregate Living Facilities should report positive cases. Please email BHSB at provider-relations@bhsbaltimore.org to report COVID cases to your LBHA in Baltimore City.

• Ethics for Telehealth Services for Behavioral Health Providers Recorded Webinar
• Best Practices for Telehealth During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (National Council on Behavioral Health)
• The American Psychological Association has a free office and technology checklist for telepsychological services and has also made their Telepsychology Best Practice 101 Series freely available.
• PESI is offering a 12 hour Teletherapy training for free with the code: TELEFREE

• If you are a provider running low on critical personal protective equipment, fill out this form to request supplies with the Baltimore City Health Department.
• Suggestions for alternative strategies for managing care with a limited supply of PPE
• If you are looking to buy PPE from local distributors, the Maryland Manufacturing Network created a useful searchable database to locate PPE.
• The National Council for Behavioral Health has partnered with Panacea Life to offer discounted PPE to behavioral health providers.

• Safer Drug Use During the COVID-19 Outbreak

• Syringe Services and Harm Reduction Provider Operations During the COVID-19 Outbreak

• COVID Symptom Screening and Isolation Referral – Recovery Housing
• COVID-19 Recovery and Readiness Checklist branded
• Guidelines for Homeless Service Providers (Mayor’s Office of Human Services)
• Vicarious Trauma: Help for the Helper (Recorded Webinar)
• BCARS provides crisis services to youth and families in Baltimore City. If you would like to access these services for your consumers, call the city’s 24/7 crisis hotline, 410-433-5175.
• Recorded Webinar: Behavioral Health Providers Self Care During COVID 19

BHSB hosts regular meetings with behavioral health providers in Baltimore City to inform and support the behavioral health provider network with continuity of operations during COVID-19 (coronavirus) prevention and response. The meetings are every other Tuesday at 2 pm. Click here to join the virtual meeting. If you can’t join the meeting online, call (443) 819 0980, Conference ID: 841 116 456#