For Caregivers

Caregiver Local Support Groups Database:

The Baltimore City Health Department offers a list of various support groups for caregivers and patients categorized by condition. 

• Click here for an updated list with phone numbers

• Please note, some phone numbers may be outdated. Please call the phone number associated with your support group of choice before giving it to your client.

ARCH Respite Network

ARCH respite is a database of programs that provide temporary breaks between families member caregivers and recipients, enabling caregivers to reset, accomplish other work, etc. while their family member Is taken care of.

To utilize the database:

1.  Click here to access the database

2. Edit the search results by location or age by inputting your client's personal information then click "search"

3. Once you find a program close to your client, you can click "view" for more information about the program, eligibility requirements, and contact information

4. Try to come up with 2-3 options for your client

Note: both in-home and and out of home options available, many of which accept waivers from Medicaid. You can also contact Christine Schoenberger, MHS at marylandrespite@gmail.com

Johns Hopkins Called to Care Program:

The Called to Care program offers various support groups and classes for caregivers, including post-caregiver programs, and information sessions

• Schedules vary monthly, call 410-550-1660 or click here for an online schedule

VA Caregivers Support Program:

A program which provides peer mentoring, skills training, telephone support, referrals, and resources for the caregivers of veterans

• The VA program has two subprograms: the Program of General Caregiver Support Services and the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC includes health insurance and and financial stipends for those eligible)

  • Clients must be enrolled in the VA to be eligible, other application requirements vary per the client's choice of program

  • More information can be found on their website, by viewing the PDF on the two programs, or by calling their support line 1-855-260-3274 Monday-Friday 8am-10pm or Saturday 8am-5pm

Smart Patients:

Smart patients is an online forum with communities for caregivers to voice concerns, share information, and offer support.

• Visit the website here for more Information and an up to date list of information/programs

While becoming a paid caregiver is difficult, there are still some opportunities to receive a stipend. Most caregivers seeking a stipend enroll In the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) and Maryland Medicaid's Community First Choice (CFC) Program 

National Family Caregiver Support Program:

The NFCSP provides non-emergency and non-expedited financial assistance to caregivers to pay for respite and supplemental services (approximately $300-600 per year)

• Funds can be used to pay for caregivers or reimburse expenses of family member caregivers

• Caregivers must be:

  • providing care to someone 60+

  • providing care to children 18 and under (the caregiver can be a grandparent or a relative 55+)

  • The care RECIPIENT must be a Baltimore City resident, but need not live in the same household as the caregiver

How to apply:

1. Clients can complete the attached application OR

2. Call 410-396-1337 to obtain an application package. Clients can complete the Family Caregiver Grant Request and submit the following paperwork:

   1. Copies of receipts, invoices, or bills to demonstrate the reason for the request

   2. A completed Medical Status Verification Form by a primary care physician 

   3. The W-9 form of the payee

   4. A copy of the social security card and photo IDs for both the caregiver and the recipient

More information and contact information can be found here

Maryland Medicaid's Community First Choice Program:

CFC offers options for elderly and disabled state residents who would otherwise require care in a nursing home or intermediate care facility.

• The primary focus of the program is to provide personal assistance with basic activities of daily living (ex. bathing and dressing), meal preparation, and transportation

• Participants can hire family members as caregivers (Medicaid approved caregiver rates are about $13-17 per hour) and there is no cap to the number of eligible people who can be enrolled simultaneously. 

• Recipients can still receive these benefits even if they already receive a Medicaid waiver (services provided are not duplicated) and there is no waiting list for services

• Applicants must:

  • have a diagnosed medical condition to meet the demands for personal care assistance

  • be eligible for Medicaid programs that include nursing home services

  • be a Maryland resident and meet income eligibility requirements (these are about the same as Medicaid requirements. but more information can be found here)

    • Note: Individuals who do not meet Medicaid requirements may still qualify if his/her income Is below 150% of the Federal Poverty Line

    • Seniors enrolled in a Medicaid waiver automatically qualify for CFC

Contact Information:

Baltimore City Area Agencies of Aging

Baltimore City Health Department Office of Aging and CARE services

417 E. Fayette Street, 6th Floor, Baltimore MD 21202

Or call the Medicaid Long-Term Care and Waiver Services 410-767-1739

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)

The AAA provide caregiver training/respite care, nutrition counseling, referrals to community based assistance programs, insurance counseling (especially for Medicaid) and more!

• Note: the program does not provide hands on care themselves

• More Information can be found here or the client can visit:

Baltimore City Health Department Office of Aging and CARE services

417 E. Fayette Street, 6th Floor, Baltimore MD 21202

The Option Group:

The Option Group is a support group for caregivers of the elderly

• Ensures proper well-being of caregivers through various support groups, including those that are condition-specific, based on caregiver demographics, facilitator-led, and those for youth caretakers

• An up to date schedule can be found here or clients can call 410-667-0266

Maryland Family Network Family Support Centers:

Supports parents/caregivers of young children (0-3) through developmental assessments, classes to assist parents with finishing their GED, job readiness assistance, nutrition courses, and Early Head Start enrollment

• A list of locations with their contact information can be found here. You can work with your client to find the 2-3 locations closest for them that are the best fit.

Kinship Care:

Kinship caretakers are grandparents or relatives who step In as caregivers for children when the parents are unable/unwilling to support them.

• Kinship caregivers can apply on behalf of their child for benefits such as child support, Medicaid, food stamps, child care, MEAP, and OHEP

• Caregivers can also receive consent for healthcare affidavits and education affidavits through this resource

• Clients can apply:

1. Via an online application through myDHR

   • Clients also complete an application for Medicaid or Maryland Health Connection (MHCP)

2. By calling/writing to the client's closest social services office to request an application

3. By going in person to the local services office to receive an application (you can complete the application in person, but there may be a wait before being interviewed by a social worker)

More information can be found here, as well as factsheets in English and Spanish

Family Connects Maryland:

A short-term (1-3 visits) visiting service from an RN for Baltimore City mothers who deliver at Sinai Hospital

• The program is free and Includes mom/baby health checks, safe sleep Instruction, managing a crying Infant, caregiver support, back-to-work support, and postpartum depression management

• Sinai Hospital's website has up to date information on the program and contact information

B'more for Healthy Babies:

A home visiting service where pregnant mothers and caregivers can discuss health concerns, learn about services to support their needs during and after pregnancy, and begin to make a plan for schooling/employment after birth 

• Specialists can meet at the client's home or at a public place where they feel comfortable

• Services are free to Baltimore City women, however they must contact HCAM at 410-649-0521 to determine whether they meet basic qualifications

DRU/Mondawin Healthy Families:

DRUM provides support to families In East and West Baltimore through comprehensive In-home visitation, WIC enrollment assistance, healthy relationship counseling, parental training and support, and referrals for other resources (such as those for GED, housing, employment, shelters, and counseling)

• Families are assigned a support worker who visits families at home regularly to assess the child's development, train caregivers, and provide tools for school readiness.

• Eligible families:

  • Pregnant women or families with children under 5

  • Reside in a neighborhood with a high risk for poor birth outcomes and school readiness:

  • As of 2025, eligible neighborhoods include Druid Heights, Reservoir Hill, Rosemont, Upton, Mondawin, and Northeast Baltimore. 

• Families are accepted into the program after a review of environmental factors and health situations

Contact: 410-225-3555 

In many cases, clients with disabilities meet the requirements for the "Becoming a Paid Caregiver" resources, however the Attendant Care Program is also a great program

Attendant Care Program:

The ACP provides financial reimbursement to assist individuals with severe chronic or permanent physical disabilities who require care services.

• This reimbursement allows individuals to choose their own service providers and It can be utilized to reimburse services at home, in the workplace, schools, or other communities. 

• Applicants must be between 18-64 with a severe chronic or physical disability

• Applicants must also meet one of the following criteria:

  1. Be self-employed or competitively employed with compensation

  2. Be actively seeking employment

  3. Be attending a post-secondary institution, higher education, or apprenticeship program

  4. Be a resident of a nursing facility/similar institution seeking to transition into the community

  5. Be at risk of placement In a nursing home (as certified by an attending physician) if attendant care services are not received by the community

• How to apply:

  1. Applicants create a OneStop account and utilize the portal while receiving benefits

  2. Once enrolled In the program, participants can utilize the portal to submit their annual redetermination application, biweekly timesheets, and supporting documents

• For more information, visit the website, call the Maryland Department for Disabilities at (410)-767-6025 or email Maxine Morris at maxine.morris@maryland.org 

Maryland Achieving a Better Life Expectancy (ABLE) Accounts:

ABLE accounts are savings accounts for individuals with disabilities to cover medical or quality of life related expenses. 

• Clients who open an ABLE accounts will not be excluded from benefits received from other services (ie Medicaid) and they may receive contributions from other sources (including family or friends).

• Accounts can receive up to $16,000 a year and have a balance up to $100,000 to maintain social security income benefits

To apply, the beneficiary must:

1. Develop a qualifying disability before the age of 26

2. Be over the age of 18

3. Meet the Social Security Definition of disability (receiving SSI or SSDI) OR have filed a valid disability certification with the Secretary of the Treasury for the current tax year

4. Be able to deposit $25 to open the account

Authorizes legal representatives (ALRs) may apply on beneficiary's behalf if:

1. Client is under 18

2. Client is unable to open the account themselves

3. ALRs may be parents (under 18 only), attorneys, legal guardians, or a conservator for the beneficiary. 

4. ALRs can manage more than one account, but only one ABLE account is allowed per beneficiary.

Clients can learn more/apply through the Maryland ABLE website or call 1-855-563-2253 (Monday-Friday 9am-8pm)