Maryland’s SOAR Initiative
Introduction
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 theSocial 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.
Work Groups and Local SOAR Leads
In order for a jurisdiction to participate in SOAR, a key component is to establish a local work group. The work group consists of a range of stakeholders, for example, representatives from community providers, housing providers, Department of Social Services, Core Service Agency, treatment providers, shelters, Health Department, and other agencies who work with those who are homeless/at risk of homelessness and who have mental illness and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder. The work group, supported by BHA, is tasked with developing a comprehensive work plan that details how SOAR will be effectively implemented in that jurisdiction.
Each work group is chaired by a local SOAR lead. In addition to leading the work group, the local SOAR lead ensures agreed processes are followed, approves case managers for training, acts as the contact person for DDS and SSA, collates data reports and submits them to BHA monthly and provides technical assistance as needed.
In addition to the local work groups, there is a State Planning Work Group, which is chaired by the SOAR State Lead, Caroline Bolas, Director: SOAR Initiative. This group meets quarterly and has representatives from SSA, DDS, community providers and a number of other state and local government agencies. Each year the State Work Group produces a work plan that includes goals and action plans and the plan is regularly reviewed.
Participating in the SOAR Initiative
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 one day in person SOAR training, SOAR Works!
· Participate in ongoing SOAR related learning events
Online Curriculum and in person training components
The SOAR training consists of two components, namely the online curriculum and an in person training workshop.
Individuals who wish to submit SOAR applications must:
1. Complete modules 1 to 5 of the SOAR online training course, including completing all the Try It quizzes
2. Obtain approval from their local lead to attend the in person training
3. Attend a one day in-person SOAR Works! training workshop
The online practice case study is optional as are modules 6 and 7.
The in-person SOAR Works! training will be held every two months in locations across the state. Please note that undertaking this in-person training is required even if an individual has successfully completed the on-line curriculum. The in-person 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.
Prior to commencing the on-line curriculum, it is strongly recommended that individuals first contact either their local SOAR lead or Caroline Bolas, Director: SOAR Initiative at or 410 402 8350 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 on-line 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.
Following the SOAR Works! training, all participants are provided with an electronic file that contains copies of all the necessary SOAR and SSA forms as well as helpful tools and contact information.
Once case managers have been trained, their names are placed on the SOAR trained list held by BHA and this is shared with SSA and DDS. These agencies check all SOAR applications against this list and will not accept SOAR claims from anyone who has not completed the training. All trained providers are also linked to their local SOAR lead and are provided with information about their jurisdiction’s specific SOAR processes. Although all jurisdictions undertake the key components of SOAR, for example, becoming the applicant’s representative, obtaining medical records, producing a medical summary report, and submitting data forms, there are differences in how they work with their local SSA field offices, and undertake the quality review process. It is therefore essential that newly trained providers maintain contact with their local SOAR lead.
SOAR Referrals
Maryland’s SOAR Initiative is designed to serve adults who are homeless/at risk of homelessness and have a mental illness and/or co-occurring disorder who meet adult criteria under SSA. If you, or a relative, meet this criteria and would like to find out if a SOAR trained provider could assist you in submitting an application under SOAR, please contact Caroline Bolas, Director: SOAR Initiative ( or 410 402 8350)
SOAR Certification
In 2012 BHA started a pilot SOAR Certification Program in Baltimore City and Montgomery County. In 2014, the pilot Certification program was expanded to all jurisdictions. The purpose of the program is to ensure high quality applications and provide recognition for all the hard work that goes into completing SOAR applications.
To become certified, participants must be SOAR trained, complete a specified number of SOAR applications, be involved in SOAR activities, submit supporting documentation and complete a self assessment form.
For more information about the SOAR Certification Program contact Caroline Bolas ( or 410 402 8350)