Family & Childrens Services Of Central Maryland Inc

A NON-SECTARIAN AGENCY COMMITTED TO PROVIDING TARGETED SERVICES TO VULNERABLE FAMILIES & INDIVIDUALS IN ALL STAGES OF LIFE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS RELATED TO SOCIAL AND PERSONAL ADJUSTMENT THEREBY ENHANCING THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.

SPRINGBOARD COMMUNITY SERVICES' (SCS) BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAM AND OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS (OMHCS) OFFER THERAPEUTIC SPECIALIZATIONS THAT RESPOND TO COMMUNITY AND INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND IS COMPRISED OF MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATION MANAGEMENT, CHILD ABUSE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT TREATMENT SERVICES AND THERAPY FOR THOSE WITH CO-OCCURRING MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS. SCS IS RENOWNED FOR OUR TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH THAT INCORPORATES EVIDENCED BASED PRACTICES INCLUDING ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACES). OUR COUNSELING SERVICES ARE AIMED AT HELPING VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES MAINTAIN A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT AND FUNCTION AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL POSSIBLE. WE OFFER COUNSELING AT COMMUNITY-BASED LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT CENTRAL MARYLAND INCLUDING BALTIMORE CITY AND HOWARD, CARROLL AND HARFORD COUNTIES. WE PROVIDE OUR SERVICES TO HELP CLIENTS THRIVE DESPITE CHALLENGES OF CHRONIC MENTAL ILLNESS, BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, BEREAVEMENT, THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE AND SELF-HARM AND OTHER CHALLENGES RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH. IN RESPONSE TO THE ONGOING COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE CONTINUED TO INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES THROUGH THE USE OF TELEHEALTH VIA MULTIPLE PLATFORMS, INCLUDING NETSMART AND GOOGLE DUO, AND IN PERSON SERVICES WHERE SOCIAL DISTANCING COULD BE ACCOMMODATED. OUR GOAL WAS TO AVOID DISRUPTION OF SERVICES IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC THAT THREATENED STABILITY AND WELLNESS. IN FY21, SCS SERVED 796 CLIENTS THROUGH ITS OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS.DEEPLY EMBEDDED WITHIN OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAM AREA IS SCS'S CHILD ABUSE SERVICES AND OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS IN ALL JURISDICTIONS. A CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS IS A CHILD FOCUSED FACILITY BASED PROGRAM IN WHICH REPRESENTATIVES FROM MANY DISCIPLINES INCLUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT, CHILD PROTECTION, PROSECUTION, MENTAL HEALTH, MEDICAL AND VICTIM ADVOCACY WORK TOGETHER TO CONDUCT INTERVIEWS AND MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION, TREATMENT, MANAGEMENT AND PROSECUTION OF CHILD ABUSE CASES. IN HOWARD, HARFORD AND CARROLL COUNTIES, SCS CLINICIANS ARE THE SOLE PROVIDERS OF THE ONSITE MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING FOR CHILDREN/ADOLESCENTS WHO HAVE DISCLOSED PHYSICAL AND/OR SEXUAL ABUSE/ASSAULT. OTHER SERVICES INCLUDE; CRISIS INTERVENTION, ASSESSMENT, TREATMENT, AND OR REFERRAL, CASE MANAGEMENT, INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY AND GROUP THERAPY, PLAY/ART THERAPY WITH EXPERT TRAINED CLINICIANS IN TRAUMA FOCUSED CARE AND LEGAL ADVOCACY, COURT ACCOMPANIMENT, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH. SCS EDUCATES FAMILIES ABOUT ABUSE PREVENTION, HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AND SEEKS TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF VICTIMS' RIGHTS LAW. SCS' STAFF ARE AVAILABLE TO TALK WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS, PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ABOUT SIGNS OF ABUSE AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT SUSPECTED ABUSE.

SCS PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES IN BALTIMORE CITY AND ANNE ARUNDEL, BALTIMORE, CARROLL, HARFORD AND HOWARD COUNTIES. FAMILY VIOLENCE PROJECT IS THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR WORK AND IS A COMPREHENSIVE, HOLISTIC, REGIONAL ARRAY OF SERVICES DEVELOPED TO MOVE FAMILIES IMPACTED BY CRIME AND VIOLENCE FROM CRISIS AND VULNERABILITY TO SAFETY AND STABILITY. SCS' APPROACH IS ROOTED IN SUPPORTING FAMILIES AND OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES INCLUDING CRISIS INTERVENTION, CASE MANAGEMENT, COURT ACCOMPANIMENT, TEMPORARY SHELTER, AND COUNSELING. SCS PROVIDES THESE SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE, DOMESTIC AND/OR FAMILY VIOLENCE, ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, HATE/BIAS CRIMES, SEXUAL ASSAULT, BULLYING, SEX TRAFFICKING AND SURVIVORS OF HOMICIDE VICTIMS AMONG OTHERS. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC EXACERBATED INSTABILITY WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE SERVE; WE MADE ALL EFFORTS TO MAKE SERVICES MORE ACCESSIBLE THROUGH THE USE OF COMMUNITY VISITS AND VIRTUAL OPTIONS INCLUDING GOOGLE DUO. SCS CREATED A SENSE OF SAFETY AND EMPOWERMENT TO OVER 1,843 VICTIMS DURING THE FISCAL YEAR.SCS OPERATES A MEDICAL ADULT DAY CARE IN CARROLL COUNTY, WEST END PLACE, AS A COMPONENT OF OUR CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. THIS MEDICALLY SUPERVISED ENVIRONMENT IS DESIGNED TO ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN AN OPTIMAL LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE, MAINTAIN CAPACITY FOR SELF-CARE AND PERSONAL HYGIENE, STIMULATE AND SUPPORT PARTICIPANT'S MENTAL AND PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES AND IMPROVE OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE IN THEIR MORE DEPENDENT YEARS. THE PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS RESPITE FOR CAREGIVERS. THE OVERARCHING INTENT IS TO PREVENT PREMATURE OR INAPPROPRIATE INSTITUTIONALIZATION FOR THE DISABLED OR OLDER ADULT AND ALLOW THE INDIVIDUAL TO REMAIN AT HOME WHILE AGING IN PLACE. UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE CENTER WAS CLOSED MARCH 2020 THROUGH MAY 2021, HOWEVER STAFF CONTINUED TO REMAIN ENGAGED WITH CLIENTS BY PROVIDING MEALS, OFFERING MEDICATION OVERSIGHT, AND CONDUCTING DAILY PHONE CHECK-INS TO ALL 36 SENIORS ENROLLED AND THEIR CAREGIVERS BEFORE REOPENING IN JUNE 2021.THE FOSTER GRANDPARENTS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED FOR THE DUAL-PURPOSE OF ENGAGING PERSONS 55 AND OLDER, PARTICULARLY THOSE WITH LIMITED INCOMES, IN VOLUNTEER SERVICE TO MEET CRITICAL COMMUNITY NEED; AND TO PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY EXPERIENCE THAT WILL ENRICH THE LIVES OF THE VOLUNTEERS. OUR GOAL IS TO ENABLE THOSE PERSONS TO REMAIN PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY ACTIVE AND TO ENHANCE THEIR SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN NEEDED COMMUNITY SERVICES; ENABLE CHILDREN WITH EXCEPTIONAL OR SPECIAL NEEDS TO ACHIEVE IMPROVED PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT THEREBY HELPING THEM TO REACH SOCIAL, BEHAVIORAL, DEVELOPMENTAL, AND EDUCATIONAL GOALS. THERE WERE 67 ACTIVE MEMBERS SERVING IN THE PROGRAM DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR. CASE MANAGEMENT AND FAMILY STABILITY: MANY INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES REACH A CROSSROAD IN THEIR LIVES DURING WHICH THEY STRUGGLE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL PRESSURES THAT CREATE CRISES FOR THEM, E.G. LOSS OF A JOB, THREATENED UTILITY TURNOFF, HOMELESSNESS, SERIOUS ILLNESS THAT CAUSES JOB LOSS. FOR THESE PERSONS, SCS CASE MANAGERS TAKE A PROBLEM-SOLVING APPROACH, HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THEIR OPTIONS AND FREQUENTLY DIRECTING THEM TO RESOURCES THAT CAN HELP ALLEVIATE THE CURRENT PRESSURES. CASE MANAGERS ALSO ATTEMPT TO HELP THESE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES PLAN FOR THE FUTURE AND TAKE THE STEPS THAT WILL HELP THEM AVOID THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT THE MULTISERVICE CENTER IN HOWARD COUNTY. CASE MANAGEMENT AND FAMILY STABILITY SERVED 885 CLIENTS AND FAMILIES DURING THE FISCAL YEAR. IN FY21, SCS WAS ALSO AWARDED FUNDS UNDER THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM FROM HOWARD COUNTY TO PROVIDE RENTAL SUBSIDIES AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE FOR LOW TO MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FINANCIALLY IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. IN 2021, SCS STARTED AN EDUCATION, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR SCHOOLS, COUNSELORS, VARIOUS COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACES). TWO OUT OF THREE CHILDREN EXPERIENCE TRAUMA BY AGE 18. UP TO HALF EXPERIENCE MULTIPLE INCIDENCES OF TRAUMA. ADVERSE EXPERIENCES IN CHILDHOOD ARE WIDESPREAD AND CAN INCLUDE PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR THE DEATH OR INCARCERATION OF A PARENT OR SIBLING. ACES CAN RESULT IN LEARNING OR BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS IN CHILDHOOD, GREATER RISK FOR ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY, SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AND HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON LONG-TERM MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH OUTCOMES.

SCS' HOUSING ARM INCLUDES A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER AND EIGHT EFFICIENCY UNITS THAT SUPPORT LOW INCOME AND VULNERABLE SENIORS IN CARROLL COUNTY. THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER HAS BEEN IN OPERATION FOR 18 YEARS AND SERVES VICTIMS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE WHO ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER AND NEED TO LEAVE THEIR LIVING SITUATION TO MAINTAIN SAFETY FROM ABUSE AND VIOLENCE. THE SHELTER HOUSES 5 ADULTS, 7 VICTIMS TOTAL. THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER IS STAFFED 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK. VICTIMS HAVE ACCESS TO DAILY CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES (SAFETY PLANNING), TRANSPORTATION TO APPOINTMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY SUCH AS DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, HEALTH DEPARTMENT, LOCAL DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND ALSO HAVE ASSISTANCE WITH ACCESS TO FOOD, TOILETRIES, CLOTHING AND ANY OTHER BASIC NEEDS. IN FY21, A TOTAL OF 28 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS WERE HOUSED. THE WEST END APARTMENTS ARE LOCATED IN WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND AND PROVIDE HOUSING IN EIGHT BARRIER-FREE APARTMENTS, OFFERING INDEPENDENT LIVING TO LOW AND MODERATE INCOME SENIORS IN CARROLL COUNTY. THE APARTMENTS HOUSE 8 SENIORS IN THE FISCAL YEAR.