Please select your state to view information and contacts for SOAR in your state. While there is SOAR activity in every state, there are not SOAR services available in every community.
State Information
Maryland SOAR State Team
State Team Lead(s):
Tristan Roberts
Email: tristanm.roberts@maryland.gov
Phone: 667-405-0183
Maryland’s SOAR Initiative is led by Maryland Department of Health’s Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). It aims to increase access to the disability income benefit programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) for eligible adults who are homeless or who are at risk of homelessness and have a mental illness and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder.
Strong partnerships are a crucial aspect of the SOAR process within Maryland and we are very fortunate to have such committed partnerships with SSA and Disability Determination Services (DDS), many community providers and other state agencies. Without these many partnerships, we would not be able to implement the SOAR Initiative so effectively.
Expectations of Participation in SOAR
Only individuals who have completed Maryland’s SOAR training are eligible to submit SOAR applications. Additionally, individuals seeking to use SOAR must also meet the following criteria:
Work with adults (18 +) experiencing or at risk of homelessness AND diagnosed with a severe mental illness
Be willing and able to undertake the key components of the SOAR process, including becoming the applicant’s representative, obtaining medical records, writing medical summary reports, participating in local quality review processes, maintaining communication with SSA/DDS and the local SOAR lead, and collecting and submitting data
Have approval from the local SOAR lead to attend the Maryland virtual SOAR training, SOAR Works!
Participate in ongoing SOAR related learning events
Online Curriculum and virtual training components
Maryland’s SOAR training consists of two components, namely the online curriculum and a virtual training. Individuals who wish to submit SOAR applications must:
Complete the SOAR Online Course (including the practice case component).
Obtain approval from their local lead to attend the virtual training
Complete a virtual training
In order to be recognized nationally as being SOAR certified and to receive the 20 free CEUs from NASW, you must complete the full SOAR Online Course including the practice case component.
Virtual SOAR Works! training sessions will be held throughout the year. Please note that undertaking this virtual training is required even if an individual has successfully completed the online curriculum. The virtual training provides crucial state specific material, including forms and contact information, and gives details of policies and procedures that need to be followed when submitting SOAR claims in Maryland.
Prior to commencing the online curriculum, it is strongly recommended that individuals first contact either their local SOAR lead or State Team Lead (contact information above) to discuss their training needs and expectations. To aid this process, PRA will forward the contact details of all providers based in Maryland who register for the online curriculum to the Maryland SOAR State TA team. A member of the TA team will contact providers to ensure they fully understand the training requirements.
For more information about participating in the SOAR Initiative in Maryland please contact the State Team Lead (contact information above).
Local Leads:
Amy Baker
Carroll County, MD
Email: amy.baker@maryland.gov
Phone: 410-876-4910
Jaime Barnes
St. Mary's County, MD
Email: jaimel.barnes@maryland.gov
Phone: 301-475-8190
Donna Brennan
Charles County, MD
Email: donna.brennan1@maryland.gov
Phone: 301-609-5752
Maria Daniels
Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne, and Talbot Counties, MD
Email: mdaniels@midshorebehavioralhealth.org
Phone: 410-770-4801
Jason Decker
Frederick County, MD
Email: jdecker@cityoffrederickmd.gov
Phone: 301-600-3941
Leon Fossett
Anne Arundel County, MD
Email: Lfossett@aamentalhealth.org
Phone: 410-222-7858
Victoria Frazer
Prince George's County, MD
Email: victoria.frazer@maryland.gov
Phone: 301-909-6369
Carmela George
Montgomery County, MD
Email: carmela.george@montgomerycountymd.gov
Phone: 240-777-4723
The primary role of the SOAR Specialist is to submit SSI/SSDI applications using the SOAR (SSI/SSDI, Outreach, Access, & Recovery) model for individuals with severe mental illness who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This is a remote-friendly position, with the requirement to report in person for mandatory trainings, staff meetings, face-to-face assessments & follow-up activities, and any other requests from your direct supervisor.
