Addressing the behavioral and mental health needs of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders (AAPI), and local communities in Howard County, Maryland.
Community Health Initiative (CHI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Howard County, Maryland. We address the increasing health needs of our community, especially behavioral health needs. Our mission is to raise awareness, educate, advocate, and provide services related to behavioral health to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) and other communities.
During the pandemic, many Chinese American youth and families in Howard County experienced racism and race-related trauma. It is imperative to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate social-emotional learning to support children, youth, and families during challenging times.
We proudly partner with local schools and cultural organizations to raise awareness and distribute mental health resources.
Mr. Zhao is an engineer, project manager, and business owner. He received a B.Sc. in engineering and an M.Sc. in Computer Science. He is very passionate about community service and has over ten years of experience serving on the boards of various nonprofit organizations.
Dr. Hui Dong is a General Engineer with a unique background spanning high-stakes manufacturing at the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing and over 15 years in the regulated pharmaceutical and medical device field. With a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, he specializes in applying precision engineering to complex production challenges. This dedication to building and protecting vital systems extends into the community, where he serves as Chair of the Columbia-Liyang Sister City Committee, building bridges across cultures.
Guodong (Gordon) Gao, Ph.D., M.B.A., is a professor at Johns Hopkins University's Carey Business School. He is also director of the Health Insights AI Lab and co-director of the Center for Health Information and Decision Systems (CHIDS). He is a recipient of the CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation, and his research interests include Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in healthcare, health IT, and quality transparency. He is very active in community service and enjoys working with students.
Ian Qian, M.D., is a psychiatry resident at the University of Maryland/Sheppard Pratt Psychiatry Residency Program where he is gaining experience in managing mental health disorders and delivering psychoeducation. He grew up in a Chinese immigrant family while experiencing K-12 education in Baltimore and Howard County, Maryland. He has participated in AAPI psychoeducation groups and is interested in culturally sensitive psychiatry.
Chun Ye was a Medical Doctor in China and has a Master's in Accounting from the University of Houston. She has been the Electronic Health Records Administrator and MIPS Incentives Project Manager at Infectious Disease Care Center for 15 years and Adjunct Faculty at Howard Community College teaching Chinese language and culture. She trained with the Racial Equity Health Initiative program at the Horizon Foundation in 2019 and has organized many well-received seminars on mental health wellness, marriage/family relationships, and proactive mental health awareness workshops for parents and students. She also created a parent support WeChat group with ~500 members for sharing resources and discussing mental health and family relationships. She has been with CHI since 2022 as a founding member.
Feiran Zhang, M.A. & Ed.M., graduated from Columbia University in the summer of 2022 with a double master's degree in counseling psychology on the track of school counseling. During the 2021-2022 academic year, she finished one year of fieldwork as a school counselor in a middle school in New York City and earned the school counselor certificate. Communicating with at-risk teenagers made her more aware of the impact of both family dynamics and cultural environments on children's development, which led her to the goal of reducing the effects of barriers that impede students' success and health.
We focus on education, advocacy, and direct support to foster a healthy body and healthy mind.
This is a 10-week SEL curriculum for youth that is culturally adapted based on Merrell's Strong Kids SEL program.
Merrell's Strong Kids curriculum includes: understanding one's own emotions, understanding others' emotions, dealing with anger, identifying and avoiding thinking traps, managing interpersonal issues, coping with stress, living positively, and setting goals. Each 60–80 minute lesson begins with a guided relaxation or meditative activity.
Building emotional resilience and positive coping strategies in youth.
This is a 10-week culturally responsive parent training program for Asian American parents, including a 4-week Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training.
Developed by Dr. Cixin Wang using the Participatory Culture-Specific Consultation method. The intervention teaches Asian immigrant parents about child development, evidence-based parenting practices (parent-child communication, emotion coaching, problem-solving, effective praise, active listening, moving beyond tiger parenting and shaming, stress management), navigating school resources, and coping effectively with discrimination.
Strengthening parent-child relationships and family harmony.
This is a series of two-hour parent workshops developed by Dr. Cixin Wang related to Parent-Child Relationship and Psychological Growth.
How to manage your own emotions as a parent, and then help your children accept and express their emotions in a reasonable way? As a parent, how to express empathy, communicate effectively with your child, solve problems together, and reduce parent-child conflict? Parents participate in small group discussions with all questions answered live by Dr. Wang.
Empowering parents to become supportive emotional coaches.
This is an 8-hour standardized public education program designed to educate adults, who interface regularly with youth, on common mental health challenges and how to appropriately intervene.
YMHFA has shown to be effective in promoting mental health literacy, confidence in helping a young person, and intentions to provide first aid to youth with mental health struggles. Dr. Cixin Wang has culturally adapted YMHFA training for Asian American parents by adding one 2-hour session before the YMHFA to augment engagement and ensure cultural sensitivity.
Educating adults to recognize crisis signs and assist youth in need.
Fall 2026 | University of Maryland College of Education & CHI
Community Health Initiative (CHI), in collaboration with the University of Maryland College of Education, offers two free, evidence-based programs led by Dr. Cixin Wang: Parent & Child Connect Workshop and Emotional Intelligence Workshop for Youth.
Scan the QR code below using your WeChat app to join the event registration group.
CHI in collaboration with the University of Maryland College of Education offers two free evidence-based programs led by Dr. Cixin Wang for Asian American families and youth.
Read More亲子关系和亚裔青少年心理健康. Taught by Dr. Cixin Wang, Dr. Jay Wang, and Li-Wen Wu (University of Maryland).
Read MoreTaught by Dr. Cixin Wang, Dr. Jiayi Wang, Elyssa Lou, M.S., and Li-Wen Wu, M.A. Evidence-based strategies for parenting and youth mental health.
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Nearly 80 Residents Gather at Howard County's New AAPI Cultural Center. On June 26, 2026, CHI hosted its Growing Together Community Mental Health Forum.
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On Saturday, June 16, the staff and volunteers at Community Health Initiative attended the Dragon Boat Festival at Dancel Y, hosted by CAPA. As a Panda sponsor of this outreach event, we prepared an entertaining spinning wheel trivia game that drew a large crowd.
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Everyone has biases that can lead to micro-discrimination and micro-aggression toward people, especially vulnerable and marginalized immigrants. These behaviors, left unchecked, can have a negative impact.
Read MoreCHI is excited to announce our participation in the 2024 Howard County 3rd Annual Asian American and Pacific Islander Festival! The festival will be held on May 11 from noon to 5PM at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods.
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The Clarksville Community Health Initiative (CHI) is proud to announce a successful online training session held on Saturday, April 13th. This event focused on two critical public health issues: overdose response and the dangers of vaping, particularly for young people.
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On February 8th, the Community Health Initiative team joined the Year of the Dragon celebrations at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in downtown Baltimore. Our booth attracted a large crowd, where we distributed flyers, festive red envelopes for children, and shared information about our organization.
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On February 4, 2024, Community Health Initiative participated in the Spring Festive Fair held at Howard High School. Our goal was to distribute flyers and connect with the community.
Read MoreIf you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out to these services immediately.
Local hotline for immediate behavioral health support: 410-531-6677.
Call 410-531-6677Find local assistance for food, health, housing, transportation, education, employment, and more.
Explore these directories, support groups, and toolkits dedicated to AAPI well-being.
Provides a comprehensive therapist directory, support groups, and the Lotus Therapy Fund for free therapy sessions.
Visit WebsiteNational AAPI Mental Health Association offering provider directories and advocacy resources across all 50 states.
Visit WebsiteSouth Asian Mental Health Initiative & Network focusing on the South Asian community with a provider directory and resources.
Visit WebsiteOffers wellness circles, peer support groups, and a Mental Health Toolkit to help navigate the healthcare system.
Visit WebsiteOrganizations dedicated to health equity, chronic disease, and overall well-being.
Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum influencing policy and strengthening community programs for health equity.
Visit WebsiteNational association of community health organizations providing resources on health equity and data.
Visit WebsiteImproving health and wellness through advocacy, research, and education with publications on AANHPI communities.
Visit WebsiteCulturally responsive guides on chronic disease, cancer, brain health, and mental wellness.
Visit WebsiteHelp us raise awareness, provide services, and advocate for AAPI mental health. Your gift makes a difference.
*Examples of how your donation may be utilized to support the community.
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