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 AMWELL 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 FY22, SCS SERVED 714 CLIENTS THROUGH ITS OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS.DEEPLY EMBEDDED WITHIN OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAM AREA ARE SCS'S CHILD ABUSE SERVICES AND OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS IN ALL JURISDICTIONS. A CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER 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.

SPRINGBOARD COMMUNITY SERVICES (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 1,962 VICTIMS DURING THE FISCAL YEAR.IN 2022, SCS EXPANDED ITS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES IN HOWARD COUNTY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HOPE WORKS OF HOWARD COUNTY AND GRASSROOTS CRISIS INTERVENTION. SCS PROVIDES INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT AND, IN ELIGIBLE CASES, EMERGENCY SHELTERING TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FLEEING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. SCS CASE MANAGER'S WORK WITH CLIENTS TO BUILD A PERSONALIZED SAFETY PLAN TO PREVENT FUTURE INCIDENCES OF VIOLENCE AND AN INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICE PLAN TO ADDRESS CLIENT NEEDS THAT WILL PROMOTE SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND STABILITY. SCS PROVIDES DIVERSION CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS INTERACTING WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THROUGH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTED DIVERSION PROGRAM (LEAD) IN HARFORD COUNTY. IN LIEU OF PROSECUTION, ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS ARE REFERRED TO TRAUMA-INFORMED CASE MANAGEMENT WITH A WIDE RANGE OF SUPPORT SERVICES, INCLUDING HOUSING ASSISTANCE, SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES. THE LEAD PROGRAM SEEKS TO ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES NEEDS THAT MAY MANIFEST IN INDIVIDUALS AS LOW-LEVEL CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. 25 CLIENTS WERE SERVED THROUGH LEAD IN FY22.AS SCS IS THE COMPREHENSIVE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICE PROVIDER IN CARROLL COUNTY, SCS OFFERS VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS PERPETRATING ABUSE WITH AN OVERALL GOAL OF REDUCING INCIDENTS AND ESCALATION OF DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE. THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE GENERALLY REFERRED TO SERVICES VIA COURT MANDATE. THE ABUSER INTERVENTION PROGRAM (AIP) IS A 26-WEEK PROGRAM DESIGNED TO INCREASE THE SAFETY OF VICTIMS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE BY TEACHING THEIR PERPETRATORS ABOUT THE CYCLE OF ABUSE AND NON-VIOLENT RELATIONSHIP SKILLS. WITHIN THE AIP, VICTIMS ARE ALSO OFFERED CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO PROMOTE SUPPORT, SAFETY, AND SECURITY. ANGER MANAGEMENT AND PARENTING ANGER MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMING IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO SELF-REFERRALS AND INDIVIDUALS REFERRED BY THE LEGAL SYSTEM. THESE SERVICES ARE OFFERED AT OUR CARROLL AND HOWARD COUNTY LOCATIONS. IN FY22, 117 CLIENTS RECEIVED VIOLENCE INTERVENTION SERVICES.SCS OPERATES A MEDICAL ADULT DAY CARE IN CARROLL COUNTY, WEST END PLACE (ADC), 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. THROUGH THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC, THE ADC EXPERIENCED MANY CHALLENGES MAINTAINING A SUSTAINABLE CLIENT CENSUS AS RESULT OF FORCED CLOSURES, CHANGING PROTOCOLS, STAFFING AND TRANSPORTATION. AFTER MUCH THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION, SCS DETERMINED TO WIND THE PROGRAM DOWN AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR, WHILE DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING TRANSITION PLANS FOR CLIENTS AND STAFF. THE PROGRAM OFFICIALLY CLOSED IN AUGUST OF 2022.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 43 ACTIVE MEMBERS SERVING IN THE PROGRAM DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR. PREVENTION SERVICES: 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. AS SUCH, SCS WAS AWARDED FUNDS UNDER THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM FROM HOWARD COUNTY TO PROVIDE RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE FOR LOW TO MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FINANCIALLY IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. IN FY22, SCS PROVIDED EMERGENCY RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE TO 183 CLIENTS. ADDITIONALLY, SCS CASE MANAGERS PROCESS UTILITY ASSISTANCE REQUESTS IN THE COUNTY THROUGH THE H2O PROGRAM. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT THE MULTISERVICE CENTER IN LAUREL, MARYLAND. IN JANUARY 2022, SCS STARTED A YOUTH RESOURCE CENTER (YRC) IN BALTIMORE CITY. MANY OF THE YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS ACCESSING YRC AND ITS DROP-IN SERVICES ARE HOMELESS/UNSTABLY HOUSED OR ESCAPING ABUSE, NEGLECT, VIOLENCE, AND SEX OR WORK TRAFFICKING. THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE STRIVING FOR THE STABILITY OF A HOME, SAFETY FROM THE STREETS, AND SUPPORT IN OBTAINING CRUCIAL CONNECTIONS TO SERVICES THAT WILL MOVE THEIR LIVES FORWARD. AT THE YRC, CLIENTS HAVE ACCESS TO COMPUTER LABS, SHOWERS, LAUNDRY SERVICES AS WELL AS CRISIS INTERVENTION, COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, PEER SUPPORT, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. THE YRC ALSO SERVES AS THE ONLY YOUTH-SPECIFIC HOUSING NAVIGATION SITE IN BALTIMORE CITY. INDIVIDUALS SEEKING NAVIGATION SERVICES ARE ENTERED INTO THE CITY'S COORDINATED ACCESS SYSTEM TO BE CONNECTED WITH AND PLACED IN SECURE HOUSING OPTIONS. HOMELESS YOUTH ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR DIVERSION SERVICES THAT INCLUDE CASE MANAGEMENT, KINSHIP ASSISTANCE, PLACEMENT IN TEMPORARY HOUSING OPTIONS, AND ASSISTANCE WITH OBTAINING VITAL DOCUMENTS. THE YRC HAS DEVELOPED A CALENDAR OF WEEKLY WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES INTENDED TO TEACH YOUTH LIFE SKILLS, JOB READINESS SKILLS, AND COPING SKILLS FOR STRESS AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES. 67 CLIENTS WERE SERVED DURING THE FISCAL YEAR.

SCS' HOUSING ARM INCLUDES A FAMILY VIOLENCE SAFE HOUSE FACILITY, EIGHT EFFICIENCY UNITS THAT SUPPORT LOW INCOME AND VULNERABLE SENIORS IN CARROLL COUNTY, AND RAPID REHOUSING SERVICES TO CLIENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN BALTIMORE CITY. UNTIL APRIL 2022, SCS OPERATED A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER THAT HOUSES 5 ADULTS, 7 VICTIMS TOTAL FOR 19 YEARS. IN MAY 2022, SCS MOVED TO A SAFE HOUSE THAT CAN HOUSE UP TO 22 VICTIMS OF CRIME WHO ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER AND NEED TO LEAVE THEIR LIVING SITUATION TO MAINTAIN SAFETY FROM ABUSE AND VIOLENCE. THE SAFE HOUSE 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 FY22, A TOTAL OF 29 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS WERE HOUSED. IN FY2022, SCS BEGAN OFFERING RAPID REHOUSING (RRH) SERVICES TO CLIENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IS BALTIMORE CITY. THE SCS RRH PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP HOMELESS YOUTH (AGES 18-24) SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD END THE CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS AND LIVE HEALTHY, SELF-SUFFICIENT, PRODUCTIVE LIVES. THE PROGRAM INCORPORATES HOUSING NAVIGATION AND INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO QUICKLY MOVE YOUTH FROM HOMELESS TO STABILITY. THROUGH VARIOUS FUNDING SOURCES ALLOCATED BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF HOUSING SERVICES, THE RRH PROGRAM HOUSES SINGLE YOUTH AS WELL AS PARENTING YOUTH, MANY OF WHOM MAY BE FLEEING FAMILY OR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR HAVE SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESSES. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES NOT ONLY ON ENDING EPISODES OF HOMELESSNESS, BUT ALSO CREATING ACTIONABLE PLANS FOR GAINING EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME TO REMAIN PERMANENTLY HOUSED. IN FY22, 27 YOUTH AGES 18-24 RECEIVED HOUSING AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES THROUGH THE RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM. BECAUSE OF THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM IN FY22, SCS WAS AWARDED A RENEWAL OF 12 UNITS AND 20 ADDITIONAL RAPID REHOUSING VOUCHERS FOR THE PLACEMENT OF CLIENTS IN FY23.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 HOUSED 8 SENIORS IN THE FISCAL YEAR. IN MAY 2022, SCS COMPLETED AND MOVED INTO THE HARRY & JEANETTE WEINBERG FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER AT THE FORMER WEST END PLACE FACILITY IN WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND. THIS NEW 20,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE CRISIS, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF CRIME ACROSS CENTRAL MARYLAND. THE PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES PERMANENT AFFORDABLE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR LOW- INCOME SENIORS. NOW THE HUB OF SCS SERVICES IN CARROLL COUNTY, THIS $5,000,000 FACILITY WAS THE JOINT EFFORT OF SCS, EPISCOPAL HOUSING CORPORATIONS, CARROLL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THE KAHLERT FOUNDATION, THE HARRY & JEANETTE WEINBERG FOUNDATION, MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, THE RURAL MARYLAND FUND AND NUMEROUS INDIVIDUAL DONORS.