Maryland Systems of Care
Click on a box/circle to get information about that agency
( Click on each box and get information about that agency – see below, provide links to all agencies )
The Children’s Cabinet
Established by the Governor, the Children’s Cabinet membership comprises all child-serving agencies. Its mission is to coordinate the child and family focused service delivery system by emphasizing prevention, early intervention, and community-based services for all children and families. The Cabinet is chaired by the Executive Director of the Governor’s Office for Children.
Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS)
www.djs.state.md.us
DJS is the cabinet level department that oversees the state’s juvenile justice system. The mission of DJS is to ensure the safety of the community and the well-being and safety of the youths under DJS care, to hold juvenile offenders accountable to victims and communities, and to assist youths in developing competency and character to aid them in becoming successful members of society. The DJS web-site includes an extensive glossary of terms used in the juvenile justice system, as well as current reform initiatives.
Maryland Department of Human Resources (DHR)
www.dhr.maryland.gov
DHR is the cabinet-level department that oversees the state’s public assistance programs, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Cash Allowance, and Food Stamps. The department also manages Child and Adult Protective Services, along with foster care and adoption programs.
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH)
www.dhmh.state.md.us
DHMH is the cabinet-level department that oversees the public health functions of Maryland government, and includes the deputy departments of Health Care Policy, Finance and Regulations; Public Health Service; and Behavioral Health and Disabilities. The Office of Behavioral Health and Disabilities comprises the Family Health Administration, the Mental Hygiene Administration, the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Administration, and the Developmental Disabilities Administration.
DHMH manages the state’s Medicaid (Medical Assistance) Program, along with the Children’s Health Program (MCHP) and the Primary Adult Care Program (PAC). Information about these programs and how to apply for them can be found on the DHMH website.
Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)
http://www.marylandpublicschools.org
MSDE is the state agency responsible for monitoring local school systems and ensuring that they comply with federal and state law. MSDE also provides funding, professional development, technical assistance, and training to the local school systems.
Maryland Department of Disabilities (DOD)
www.mdod.maryland.gov
DOD partners with other state agencies to remove barriers for people with disabilities and create new opportunities in education, employment, housing and transportation. It provides information, resources and advocacy to all Marylanders with disabilities.
Family Health Administration (FHA)
www.fha.maryland.gov
The division of DHMH that works with communities to improve the health of all Marylanders, giving special attention to: vulnerable populations in the areas of maternal-child health; family planning and reproductive health; genetics and children with special health care needs; women, infants and children; cancer control; tobacco use prevention; chronic disease and injury prevention; oral health; public health data, policy and planning; and chronic rehabilitative facilities.
Mental Hygiene Administration (MHA)
www.dhmh.state.md.us/mha
The division of DHMH responsible for planning, funding and monitoring mental health services throughout the state. MHA receives state and federal dollars for mental health and allocates the funds to the Core Service Agencies throughout the state to fund local programs.
Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
www.dhmh.state.md.us/dda_md
The division of DHMH that provides a coordinated service delivery system so that individuals with developmental disabilities receive appropriate services oriented toward the goal of integration into the community. These services are provided through a combination of state residential centers (providing services to individuals with intellectual disability) and a wide array of community based services delivered primarily through a network of non-profit providers.
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Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration (ADAA)
http://maryland-adaa.org/
The division of DHMH responsible for the planning, development, coordination, and delivery of services to prevent harmful involvement with alcohol and other drugs, and to provide treatment to individuals with substance abuse disorders.
Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education and Early Intervention
http://www.marylandpublicschools.org, click on “Divisions”, then “Special Education and Early Intervention”
The Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services collaborates with families, local early intervention systems, and local school systems to ensure that all children and youth with disabilities have access to appropriate services and educational opportunities to which they are entitled under federal and state laws. To local school systems, the Division provides grant funding, professional development opportunities, technical assistance, and monitoring.
Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
www.dors.state.md.us
DORS is a department of the Maryland State Department of Education that promotes the employment, economic self-sufficiency, and independence of individuals with disabilities. A representative of DORS should be part of the child's transition planning team as a child and family anticipate the child graduating from high school to the world of work. DORS can provide access to vocational training and supported employment after a child leaves school.
Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood Development
http://www.marylandpublicschools.org, click on “Divisions,” then “Early Childhood Development”
The Division of Early Childhood Development responsible for early care and education in Maryland. The main mission of the Division is to improve early education in Maryland so that young children are well prepared for school. The Division is composed of the Office of Child Care, the Early Learning Branch, and the Collaboration and Program Improvement Branch.
Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
www.dbm.maryland.gov
The Department of Budget and Management helps the Governor, State agencies, and their employees provide effective, efficient, and fiscally sound government to the citizens of Maryland. They support agency efforts to achieve results by helping them obtain the fiscal, capital, and personnel resources needed to provide services to Maryland citizens.
Maryland Governor’s Office for Children (GOC)
http://goc.maryland.gov
The Executive Director of GOC chairs the Maryland Children’s Cabinet, a partnership of all child-serving state agencies. In addition, GOC
- manages the Children’s Cabinet Interagency Fund
- convenes state agencies, local partners, and community stakeholders to develop policies and initiatives which improve services for Maryland’s children and youth
- partners with the Local Management Boards in each jurisdiction to plan, coordinate, and develop comprehensive systems of care, and to fund and monitor the delivery of integrated services to children and families
- oversees the state’s data management system to measure the progress of Maryland’s children
ValueOptions
http://maryland.valueoptions.com/
The Mental Hygiene Administration contracts with ValueOptions to administer the public mental health system in Maryland. ValueOptions determines eligibility, refers individuals to appropriate providers, and authorizes treatment.
Innovations Institute
www.medschool.umaryland.edu/innovations
A partnership between the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Medicine and the Maryland Children’s Cabinet, established to support efforts to improve child and family outcomes. The Innovations Institute provides training and technical assistance in multiple communities throughout the country. Their mission is to ensure that public and academic institutions, providers and advocates work together efficiently and effectively to support children, youth and their families.
Care Management Entity (CME)
The role of the CME is to serve as an entry point for children, youth and families with intensive needs so they can achieve the goals of safety, permanency , and well-being through intensive care coordination using a wraparound service delivery model and the development of home and community-based services. Maryland has been divided into three regions as follows:
- North Western Maryland, served by Maryland Choices (www.choicesteam.org/maryland)
- South Eastern Maryland, served by Wraparound Maryland (www.wraparoundmd.org)
- Baltimore City, served by Wraparound Maryland (www.wraparoundmd.org)
Department of Juvenile Services Area Offices (DJS)
Each jurisdiction in Maryland has a local office representing the Department of Juvenile Services. The local office provides programs on the local level to youth involved in the juvenile justice system. A representative of the local DJS office sits on the Local Care Team. For the local office in your jurisdiction, go to www.djs.state.md.us and click on your region.
Department of Social Services Offices (DSS)
Each jurisdiction in Maryland has a local office representing the Department of Human Resources. The local offices are responsible for providing access to economic assistance programs, including Medicaid, foster care, and adoption services, and investigating reports of child abuse and neglect. Local DSS offices also handle requests for Voluntary Placement Agreements. A representative of the local DSS office sits on the Local Care Team. For the local office in your jurisdiction, go to www.dhr.state.md.us and click on “local offices.”
Core Service Agencies (CSAs)
CSAs are the local mental health authorities responsible for planning, managing and monitoring public mental health services at the local level. Many CSAs have specialists that coordinate services for children and adolescents in the public mental health system. A representative from the CSA sits on the Local Care Team. Each jurisdiction is covered by a CSA. CSAs have different names from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. You can find the CSA in your jurisdiction by visiting http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/mha/csa.html.
Developmental Disabilities Administration Regional Office
The Developmental Disabilities Administration is divided into four Regional Offices. The Regional Offices are responsible for administrative oversight, coordination, and management of the DDA-funded community-based services for eligible individuals. Regional Teams establish individual eligibility and control, access to services, manage available funding, and monitor service provision to ensure quality of services. Community services are purchased primarily from private non-profit provider agencies that offer a range of programs, such as residential, vocational and a variety of support services. A representative of DDA sits on the Local Care Team. To find the local DDA office in your region, go to www.dhmh.state.md.us/dda_md/ and click on “Regional Offices.”
Local Health/Addictions Offices
The local offices of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration in each of Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions has an identified substance abuse county coordinator. County coordinators assist local citizens and organizations in identifying alcohol and drug abuse treatment needs and services, and coordinate the delivery of publicly funded treatment in each jurisdiction. A representative of the local health/addictions office sits on the Local Care Team. To find the local health/addictions office in your area, go to www.maryland-adaa.org/resource.
Local School System
Each jurisdiction in Maryland has a local Board of Education and Superintendent that oversees the provision of public education in their district. The Local School Systems have broad powers to develop the curriculum and policies within their district. Local School Systems make decisions about non-public school placements and residential placements for students. A representative of the Local School System sits on the Local Care Team. To find the local school system in your area, go to the www.marylandpublicschools.org, and click on “School systems,” “System links.”
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Local Management Boards (LMBs)
LMBs are charged with conducting needs assessments and setting priorities for children in their jurisdictions. Each county and Baltimore City has a Local Management Board. A representative of the Local Management Board sits on the Local Care Team. To find the LMB in your jurisdiction, go to: http://goc.maryland.gov and click on “Local Management Boards,” “Contact List.”
Local Care Team (LCT)
The Local Care Team is a body established in each local jurisdiction in Maryland designated as a forum for families of children with intensive needs to receive assistance with the identification of individual needs and potential resources to meet identified needs, and for interagency discussion and problem solving for individual child, family, and systemic needs. Families may refer themselves to the Local Care Team. For more information on the Local Care Teams, click here.
