At Ashley Addiction Treatment, advocacy is not a separate initiative or seasonal effort. It is part of how we uphold our responsibility to patients, families, and communities. 

Across Maryland and at the federal level, decisions are made every year that directly influence how addiction treatment and prevention services are delivered, from funding priorities and regulatory frameworks to workforce development and research investment. These decisions move forward whether treatment providers are present in the conversation or not. 

When experienced providers do not show up, policies risk being shaped without the insight of those delivering care on the ground. Silence is not neutral. It has consequences. 

Decisions Are Being Made — With or Without Providers at the Table 

Each legislative session, policymakers consider issues that directly affect behavioral health care, including: 

  • access to residential treatment 
  • capital investments in addiction treatment facilities 
  • prevention and early-intervention funding 
  • research and outcome measurement 
  • workforce sustainability and reimbursement 

In Maryland, these conversations occur through committee hearings, budget deliberations, and task forces focused on health, behavioral health, and social determinants of health. At the federal level, they are shaped through appropriations, regulatory guidance, and national prevention and treatment priorities. 

Ashley engages in advocacy to ensure these discussions are informed by clinical expertise, real-world outcomes, and decades of experience serving individuals and families affected by substance use disorders. 

Residential Treatment and Prevention Need Informed Voices 

Residential treatment plays a critical role for individuals with complex clinical needs, offering structure, stabilization, and comprehensive care. At the same time, prevention programs (including school and community-based initiatives) reduce long-term risk and strengthen protective factors before crisis occurs.  

Public policy often treats these services as separate conversations. In practice, they are deeply connected. 

In Maryland, statewide initiatives emphasizing prevention, early intervention, and community-based supports highlight the importance of youth-focused programs such as The Roots Project and The Clubhouse. Advocacy ensures that these programs are understood as part of a broader continuum — one that also includes high-quality residential treatment when higher levels of care are needed. 

Informed advocacy helps policymakers see the full picture. 

Advocacy as an Extension of Ashley’s Mission 

Ashley’s mission is grounded in transforming and saving lives through compassionate, evidence-based care. Advocacy allows that mission to extend beyond our campus and into the systems that shape access to care. 

By engaging in policy conversations at the state and federal levels, Ashley: 

  • shares outcomes and research to support evidence-based decision-making 
  • educates lawmakers on ethical, patient-centered treatment models 
  • advocates for policies that strengthen care quality and access 
  • supports sustainable funding for both treatment and prevention 

Recent investments in capital improvements and prevention infrastructure reflect growing recognition of the importance of stable, high-quality care environments. Advocacy plays a key role in ensuring those investments align with patient needs and long-term impact. 

The Importance of Long-Term Relationships 

Effective advocacy is built over time. 

Ashley prioritizes long-term relationships with legislators, committee members, and staff, grounded in trust, consistency, and shared commitment to public health. These relationships allow for meaningful dialogue across legislative sessions, budget cycles, and changing political climates. 

By showing up regularly, providing reliable information, and engaging thoughtfully, Ashley becomes a trusted resource, not just during moments of urgency, but as policies evolve. 

Why We Will Continue to Show Up 

The behavioral health landscape is dynamic, and public policy will continue to shape how care is delivered in Maryland and nationwide. Ashley will continue to engage in advocacy because patients deserve policies informed by evidence, families deserve systems that support recovery, and communities deserve sustainable prevention and treatment solutions. 

Advocacy is not about politics. It is about responsibility. 

Showing up is part of how we honor our mission, and part of how we ensure that quality care remains accessible today and in the future.