Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, Inc.
In 2019, Del. Lorig Charkoudian (District 20) introduced legislation in the Maryland General Assembly to limit hospital debt lawsuits for patients owing less than $5000, along with other medical debt lawsuit reforms. The bill did not pass in the abridged session, in part due to concerns that a prohibition may result in unintended consequences for Maryland’s cost-of-care model.
With this grant support, Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition will oversee an econometric research study by health economists at Boston University to calculate the likely effects of a cap on hospital lawsuits at different thresholds. The study’s findings will inform future legislation on medical debt lawsuits in Maryland.
Youth Empowered Society, Fiscally Sponsored by Maryland Philanthropy Network
Opened in 2012, the YES Drop-In Center serves unaccompanied homeless youth ages 14 to 25, offering counseling, peer support, connections to resources and a safe place for the youth to meet their basic needs. YES staff and partner agencies provide employment counseling and job placement support; assistance accessing housing and public benefits; case management; tutoring; health care; pro bono legal services; and parenting support. In FY 2020, the YES Center served 201 youth. This grant supports the centers operations.
University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation
HealthySteps is an evidence-based model that embeds a child development professional into pediatric care to promote positive parenting and healthy development for babies and toddlers from birth to age five. The University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) implements HealthySteps at two sites: the UMSOM Family Medicine Practice and the University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus Pedatric practice. This grant will strengthen data collection capacity so that ultimately, UMSOM can analyze the program’s return on investment and advocate for insurance reimbursement of the program’s prevention services.
Tahirih Justice Center
The Tahirih Justice Center represents immigrant women and girls seeking protection from gender-based human rights abuses, including domestic violence and sexual assault. Tahirih provides free immigration and family law services and social service coordination to about 290 women a year and their families. This grant provides general operating support to Tahirih’s Baltimore Field Office.
St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore, Inc.
Promise Housing is a new program of St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore that will serve unaccompanied homeless youth in Baltimore City. Part of the federally-funded Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program, Promise Housing will provide 25 units of rapid rehousing and 23 units of permanent supportive housing, coupled with housing search assistance, case management, employment support services, and other services tailored to the needs and interests of the clients. This grant provides flexible financial assistance to remove financial barriers to housing and employment faced by Promise Housing clients.