When a veteran returns home, the journey doesn’t end with a homecoming. For many families in Baltimore, it’s just the beginning of a new chapter filled with adjustment, healing, and growth. Veterans may face mental health challenges, physical injuries, or difficulty reintegrating into civilian life. And their loved ones — spouses, parents, children, and caregivers — are often deeply affected by these experiences.
Fortunately, Baltimore is home to a growing network of support systems that recognize the essential role family plays in a veteran’s recovery and well-being. From emotional counseling to hands-on caregiver training and financial assistance, these services help entire families navigate life after military service.
Let’s take a look at the resources available and how Baltimore families of veterans can tap into them for real support, connection, and relief.
The Role of Family in a Veteran’s Recovery
Veterans don’t transition alone. Behind every returning service member is a family unit doing its best to adjust — often while shouldering emotional and financial strain. Some families may be dealing with trauma-related challenges like PTSD, depression, or substance use. Others may find themselves in caregiving roles without formal training or access to support.
That’s why the role of family in a veteran’s recovery is more than emotional — it’s logistical, physical, and psychological. Support services in Baltimore are increasingly focused on serving the family as part of the care plan, not just as spectators.
Maryland’s Commitment to Veterans
One of the most comprehensive support programs in the state is Maryland’s Commitment to Veterans (MCV). Operated by the Maryland Department of Health, MCV connects veterans and their families to mental health, substance use, and social support services throughout the state.
MCV has regional resource coordinators, including those based in Baltimore, who assist families with:
- Navigating VA and non-VA healthcare options
- Accessing behavioral health treatment and support
- Finding local support groups and community resources
- Crisis management and suicide prevention referrals
Crucially, these coordinators also help family members who may need their own counseling or who are looking for tools to better support their loved one. Services are confidential and offered at no cost to eligible families.
Counseling and Emotional Support for Families
Mental and emotional strain can take a toll on families of veterans — especially when the veteran is dealing with invisible wounds of war. That’s why counseling services specifically designed for families are so critical.
The Baltimore VA Medical Center offers family therapy sessions as part of its broader mental health programming. These sessions can help loved ones understand what the veteran is going through and how to cope as a family unit. The VA also provides Marriage and Family Therapy through its outpatient mental health clinics.
Local nonprofits such as Give an Hour and The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Easterseals also offer free or low-cost mental health services for veterans and their families. The Cohen Clinic, located just outside Baltimore, is particularly known for its trauma-informed care and ability to serve children and spouses of veterans.
Whether you’re seeking marriage counseling, individual therapy, or child behavioral support, these services are designed to reduce stigma and make it easier for families to heal together.
Caregiver Resources and Training
Being a caregiver for a veteran — whether due to physical disability, chronic illness, or mental health struggles — can be an overwhelming responsibility. Thankfully, Baltimore families don’t have to do it alone.
The VA Caregiver Support Program, available through the Baltimore VA Medical Center, offers comprehensive services including:
- Respite care
- Peer mentoring
- Training on caregiving techniques
- Access to a caregiver support coordinator
- Mental health counseling for caregivers
Caregivers may also qualify for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, which offers financial stipends, health insurance (for those who qualify), and ongoing support for those providing full-time care.
Outside of the VA, organizations like Hope for the Warriors and Military OneSource offer workshops, educational materials, and virtual support groups that specifically target caregivers and family members.
Housing and Financial Assistance for Families
For some families of veterans, financial strain and unstable housing are real concerns. Baltimore organizations offer a safety net through rental assistance, job placement, and emergency aid for qualified veteran households.
St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore, for instance, runs Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), a program that helps veterans and their families stay in or transition into stable housing. Services include:
- Temporary financial assistance for rent and utilities
- Case management
- Employment support
- Legal aid referrals
Families can also access help through MCVET (Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training), which not only supports homeless veterans but also provides wraparound services that include family reintegration assistance and job training.
Peer Support and Community Connection
There’s something powerful about sharing space with people who truly understand what you’re going through. That’s where peer support groups come in. Baltimore is home to several community-led initiatives where family members of veterans can connect, vent, learn, and heal together.
Organizations like Operation Tohidu, TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), and The American Legion hold local events and meetups where veteran families can find camaraderie and validation. Whether you’ve lost a loved one, are caring for someone struggling with mental illness, or simply want to connect with others walking a similar path, these groups offer a place to be seen and heard.
Churches and community centers throughout Baltimore also host military family support nights, potlucks, and education sessions. These aren’t just social events — they’re opportunities to build networks of mutual aid and strengthen the bonds between veterans and their communities.
Helping Children Thrive
Children of veterans may also experience the effects of their parent’s service, especially when dealing with deployment, reintegration, or long-term injury. Baltimore schools and mental health providers are increasingly aware of these challenges.
Programs like Project SERVE (Supportive Education for the Return of Veterans and their Families) work within school systems to offer resources to children of service members. And mental health providers such as Kennedy Krieger Institute offer trauma-informed care for children dealing with emotional or behavioral issues related to a parent’s military service.
Parents can also reach out to organizations like Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) for help navigating school transitions, special education needs, and emotional health challenges.
Making the First Call
With so many services available, families may wonder where to start. A good first step is contacting Maryland’s Commitment to Veterans or a local Veteran Service Officer (VSO) through the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families. These professionals can walk you through available benefits, set up referrals, and advocate on your behalf.
The VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 is also open for anyone who just needs someone to talk to or is unsure what programs they qualify for.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone in This
Caring for a veteran isn’t always easy. It requires strength, flexibility, and often a little help. In Baltimore, families of veterans have access to a growing network of organizations dedicated to offering just that — help when it’s needed most.
Whether you’re facing a housing crisis, searching for counseling, or trying to find your footing as a caregiver, there’s no shame in asking for support. These services exist because your contribution matters. Your well-being matters.
So take the first step. Reach out. Get connected. Because when veteran families thrive, the whole community grows stronger.