Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for improving the quality of life of children and their families. Half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14, while 1 in 5 youth aged 13 – 18 years old live with a mental health condition. Adolescence is also the time when many people begin experimenting with substances. It’s important to support youth and families so that they can recognize and treat behavioral health conditions.
If you are a young person or a family member looking for immediate emotional support, call or text 988. Our specialists provide confidential care 24/7.
BHSB manages and supports the entire continuum of care of treatment and rehabilitation services for children, adolescents and young adults in Baltimore City’s public behavioral health system.
School-Based Services
BHSB works with Baltimore City Schools to ensure all youth have access to high-quality behavioral health care that promotes social-emotional health and academic success. If undetected or left untreated, early behavioral problems can develop into more serious mental health conditions that can impact learning and academic achievement. Behavioral health conditions experienced by youth correlate to negative educational outcomes, such as chronic absence, low achievement, disruptive behavior, and dropping out.
If you are a caretaker looking for early childhood mental health care, or to connect with a behavioral health specialist at your child’s school, please see our Expanded School Behavioral Health (ESBH) Services Directory.
Community-Based Services
Community-based behavioral health services are available to all youth in Baltimore City. BHSB partners with providers and other organizations serving children and families to offer access to high-quality, equitable and evidence-based behavioral health care, including wraparound services for youth and families with intensive mental health needs, respite support for caregivers and alternatives to the juvenile justice system.
The programs below are available if you are looking for rehabilitation and treatment services for a child or young adult or need a community-based behavioral health provider.
Care Coordination, or targeted case management, provides wraparound services to youth and families with intensive mental health needs.
Care coordinators use a holistic approach to create care plans that are:
- Youth guided
- Family-driven
- Individualized
- Tailored to the needs, strengths and goals of the youth and family
- Supported by mental health professionals and trusted community resources.
To be eligible, youth must be:
- Age 17 and below at time of enrollment, may receive services through age 21
- Diagnosed with or in need of assessment for a mental health diagnosis
The Juvenile Court Early Intervention Program (JCEIP) provides substance use assessments for youth and caregivers involved in the juvenile justice system to determine the recommended level of treatment, facilitate treatment referrals, and provide referral follow-up support. JCEIP offers bi-weekly adolescent substance use disorder support groups and quarterly substance use prevention and education groups, using a harm reduction approach.
Services (Insurance is not required):
- Drug testing/urinalysis assessments
- Substance use disorder support group
- Substance use disorder prevention and education groups
- Educational groups offered on a regular basis
- Links to community-based behavioral health providers
For referrals, contact jceip@marylandtreatment.org
The Juvenile Court Services (JCS) Office aims to divert youth from the juvenile justice system by providing community-based resource alternatives and supporting communication between the courts and child-serving agencies, such as the Department of Social Services, Department of Juvenile Services and the Department of Health. The LINKS program, through JCS, assists at risk children and their families in accessing or “linking” to entitlements and community-based resources. Youth and parents are invited to participate in specialized in-person groups and activities for eight weeks.
Services:
- LINKS referrals accepted year round
- Group sessions held in summer, fall and spring
Send referrals to Renee.Myrie@mdcourts.gov
Meet me Halfway, The Adolescent Clubhouse, engages youth ages 12-17 who are at risk of substance use disorders, and is operated through the Progressive Life Center.
Services:
- Peer support and life skills development
- Care coordination and prevention activities
- Recreational activities
- Referrals to more intensive mental health and substance use services
- Vocational services & homework help
- Assistance for parents and caregivers
For referrals, call 410-235-2800 or email info@plcntu.org
Potomac Recovery Housing offers a supportive and sober recovery environment for male and female adults, ages 18-26, with a history of opioid use disorder. People who are interested in this service are expected to function independently and be highly motivated to maintain a sober lifestyle.
Services:
- 24/7 onsite staff
- Recovery housing with amenities
- Individualized recovery planning
- Life skills development groups
- Recreational activities
For referrals, call 240-285-6682 or email mjones@marylandtreatment.org
Support for Families
Community-based behavioral health services are available to all youth in Baltimore City. BHSB partners with providers and other organizations serving children and families to offer access to high-quality, equitable and evidence-based behavioral health care, including wraparound services for youth and families with intensive mental health needs, respite support for caregivers and alternatives to the juvenile justice system.
The programs below are available if you are looking for rehabilitation and treatment services for a child or young adult or need a community-based behavioral health provider.
The Children’s Mental Health Matters Campaign aims to raise public awareness and acceptance of the importance of children’s mental health to overall child and family well-being. The campaign is an initiative of the Mental Health Association of Maryland in partnership with Maryland Coalition of Families and other partners.
Services and Supports
- Calendar of community events and trainings
- Children’s Mental Health Webinar Series
- Family Resource Kit
The Baltimore City Local Care Team works with families of children with intensive needs to find and coordinate care across multiple agencies. If you are facing any of the following issues, contact the Local Care Team at lct@familyleague.org or visit the website.
- Your child or family is involved with multiple agencies, and you feel like you’re getting nowhere.
- You think your child needs more services but you’re not sure where to turn.
- You know what you need but you can’t seem to locate the service locally.
- You feel overwhelmed and need a guide through the maze of reports and recommendations.
In-home respite services are designed to support families by providing planned self-care breaks for caregivers. Respite providers work with the family and treatment team to align planned respite activities with identified treatment goals while allowing personal time for the parent or caregiver. To be eligible, the young person must have a mental health diagnosis and must be participating in mental health therapy.