The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), as part of the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), has oversight responsibility for publicly-funded inpatient and outpatient (community) behavioral health services, which includes a comprehensive array of services and supports to help individuals with substance-related disorders, mental health disorders, co-occurring disorders, and problem-gambling disorders recover. Additionally, BHA is the entity responsible for regulating and licensing all behavioral health programs in Maryland’s Public Behavioral Health System and has oversight responsibility to ensure provider compliance with COMAR 10.63 and state policy.
MISSION
The BHA will, through publicly-funded services and supports, promote recovery, resiliency, health and wellness for individuals who have or are at risk of emotional, substance related, addictive and/or psychiatric disorders to improve their ability to function effectively in their communities.
VISION
Improved health, wellness, and quality of life for individuals across the life span through a seamless and integrated behavioral health system of care.
GOALS
Increasing access to care by expanding:
- capacity of 24/7 crisis services
- the workforce
- the use of telehealth and other information technology applications
Improving quality of care by:
- improved data collection and analysis capabilities
- moving to measurement-based care
- expanding cultural and linguistic competency trainings
- increasing support of evidence-based practices and promising practices
- increasing integration of care
Improving coordination of care by:
- developing and utilizing an integrated systems management approach
- expanding recovery services and supports
DEPUTY SECRETARY OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Dr. Aliya Jones is currently serving as the Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health’s (MDH) Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). She is responsible for Maryland’s Public Behavioral Health System, serving over 300,000 individuals with direct oversight of a BHA administrative and service budget of $400 million, in addition to clinical oversight of a $1.6 billion Medicaid budget.
With nearly two decades of experience in the medical field, Jones came to MDH from Bon Secours Hospital in Baltimore, where she served seven years as Chief of Psychiatry and Chair of Behavioral Health. She led 19 service programs, nine of which were created under her leadership, including the nation’s first court-involved diversion program.
Recognized statewide for her expertise and leadership, specifically as physician leader and an addiction specialist, Jones has served on Baltimore’s Heroin and Prevention Task Force, the Maryland Hospital Association’s Behavioral Health Task Force, and Maryland’s Forensic Advisory Workgroup.
She has an MBA from the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business and a medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. She completed her residency in Adult Psychiatry, and fellowships in Addiction Psychiatry and Administrative Psychiatry at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Mary Kay Tierney
Administrative Assistant
(410) 402-8452