If you have a loved one with a drug or alcohol problem, it can be hard to understand why addiction happens and why it is so hard to escape the cycle of substance use. You may want to help, but feel unsure where to start or what to do. Maryland Coalition of Families is here to help! On Tuesday, August 11 at 7:00 PM, MCF staff will present Exploring the Stages of Change:  ..

It is neurologically impossible to be both stressed out, and really loving and kind at the same time. When members of our family feel stressed—even young children—their ability to be empathetic and compassionate towards others dwindles away. This results in short tempers, selfish behaviors and hurt feelings all around. While it is just not possible to be per ..

“Emotional Disturbance” is a term used in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a federal law that ensures students with a disability are provided with a free, appropriate public education that is tailored to their needs. Because the term “emotionally disturbed” is so stigmatizing, in 2010 a group of advocates spearheaded by MCF pushed for legislation that ..

Naloxone, a medication used to reverse an opioid overdose, can rapidly restore normal breathing in a person who has overdosed on heroin or another opioid. In partnership with the Howard County Health Department, all nine of MCF’s Substance Use Family Peer Support Specialists across the state have been trained deliver instruction on the use of Naloxone and to distribute Nalo ..

“Right now we are living in a new world, one that we have never experienced before, and with this new world comes the challenge of managing the way our children use technology,” says Nancy Quidas, MCF’s Problem Gambling Program Coordinator. Most children are now spending substantial amounts of time on electronic devices, and often that means more time spent playing onli ..

Secrets from one who has walked in your footsteps…stepping on legos and cheerios By Rachel E. Stoyanov, FPSS, MCF’s Midshore Regional Team I teach lots of classes these days, and parents of preschoolers always want to know the secret to happy, compliant “easy” kids. I can let the cat out of the bag for you today! The secret is building a bond as a family. You can do  ..

Maryland Coalition of Families is pleased to share our 2019 Annual Report. As we have grown to become one of the largest family-run organizations in the country, our mission remains the same: To connect, support and empower Maryland’s families and, to advocate to improve systems that impact individuals with behavioral health challenges. This report demonstrates  ..

MCF stands in solidarity with the Black Community in this time of grieving, anger and pain. We denounce racism in all its forms, in particular the threat and killings of African-American/Black people. We are outraged by the systemic racism and bias that we have seen and that continues, including the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Broo ..

The 2020 legislative session ended three weeks early on March 18, due to COVID 19. Due to the shortened session, legislators focused on priority legislation, and many bills did not receive a vote. MCF has delayed publishing a legislative summary as we were waiting to see if Governor Hogan would veto a key piece of legislation related to the provision of behavioral healt ..

When you have a child with behavioral health challenges, maintaining a productive and peaceful routine while the whole family is at home together can seem like an impossible goal. As we head into summer, DeVaki Leonard, MCF’s Family Leadership Assistant, shares her tips for making daily life less stressful and more joyful. Establish a positive morning routine. Start the  ..