The attached Manual for Managing the Public Behavioral Health System seeks to clarify and build a
shared vision for local behavioral health system in our state. It defines roles, standard processes, and
supporting information to help achieve the best possible health outcomes for all Marylanders. In the
spirit of collaboration and shared learning, this Manual was developed over the past few years using a
multi-step process involving subject matter experts from BHA, Local Behavioral Health Authorities
(LBHAs) (or Core Service Agency and Local Addictions Authority together), the state’s Medicaid agency,
providers, consumer advocacy organizations, and others