Child, Adolescent, Young Adult and Family

The CAYA Team contracts for and monitors publicly-funded services for children and adolescents with severe emotional and behavioral problems who are at risk for out-of-home placement and their families.

SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS

Specialized programs, serving a smaller, but significant number of consumers, include a wide array of innovative home and community-based services. These services, dependent upon funding, may include:

  • Case Management
  • In-home, family-focused behavioral counseling
  • Respite services, home-based and out-of-home
  • Therapeutic after-school programs
  • Psychiatric rehabilitation programs
  • Psychiatric residential treatment centers
  • School-based mental health clinics
  • Therapeutic behavioral aides

Additional services may be available to children who are currently receiving therapy. Some programs require specific referral forms while others require medical assistance (MA). Some exclusions and waitlists may apply.

ELIGIBILITY

Many, but not all programs require:

  • Psychiatric Axis I diagnosis
  • MA insurance
  • An IQ of 70 and above
  • Referral by a mental health professional

FEES

MA reimburses on a fee-for-service basis for services authorized by the public mental health system. For consumers without MA, some services have a sliding-scale fee and some have no fee.

FORMS

PROGRAMS CURRENTLY OFFERED

Learn more about the following programs.

For children ages 5 and below at risk for termination from daycare and/or presenting significant challenges at home. Services include onsite daycare consult (to staff) and home-based family counseling.

Vendor: MENTOR Maryland/IFCS

Contact: Call Tiffany Chavis at 410-887-3828.

Requirements: Specific referral form required.

For children and adolescents (ages 3 to 17) with a diagnosed mental health disorder that attend outpatient mental health treatment on a regular basis and are considered at risk for out-of-home placement, and their families. Service twice a week for up to five months.

Services: Youth and caregiver-focused intervention to strengthen family functioning

Vendor: Villa Maria Behavioral Health or MENTOR Maryland/IFCS 

Contact: Call Tiffany Chavis at 410-887-3828.

Requirements: Specific referral forms and a psychosocial assessment required.

Caregivers of youth ages 17 and below, at risk for out of home placement. Youth must have MA, a mental health diagnosis and attend outpatient mental health treatment on a regular basis. A respite specialist picks the youth up at home and spends one-on-one time for recreational purposes with the goal of providing a break for caregivers. Monthly service of maximum 288 hours total per one year duration.

Vendor: Catholic Charities, Villa Maria Children’s Continuum

Contact: Call Tiffany Chavis at 410-887-3828.

Requirements: Respite for Youth with Medical Assistance Referral form required.  

Caregivers of youth ages 5 to 12 whom have a mental health diagnosis and attend outpatient mental health treatment on a regular basis, and are at risk for out of home placement. Limited access, only for youth who need institutional level of respite. 

Vendor: Catholic Charities, St. Vincent’s Villa Residential Treatment Center

Contact: Call Tiffany Chavis at 410-887-3828.

Requirements: Therapist’s statement of caregivers’ need for respite and youth’s most recent assessments are required. Based on space availability in the facility. Respite for Youth with Medical Assistance Referral form required.

Caregivers of youth ages 17 and below, at risk for out of home placement. Youth must have Medical Assistance a mental health diagnosis and attend outpatient mental health treatment on a regular basis

Vendor: Children’s Choice

Contact: Call Tiffany Chavis at 410-887-3828.

Requirements: Youth stays in a treatment foster care home (usually for two-night weekends, but can be single nights or week nights). Requires caregiver and youth interview, as well as Respite for Youth with Medical Assistance Referral form.

The Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Program is a Residential Rehabilitation Program (RRP) which assists young adults between the ages of 18 to 25 who have a priority mental health diagnosis towards the goal of independent living. View the RRP application.

Vendor: People Encouraging People (PEP)

Requirements: Individual must:

  • Be able to conduct their behaviors in a manner safe to self and others while living in an apartment (often sharing with an apartment-mate)
  • Engage in mental health treatment and daily activities or school
  • Adhere to program rules and with taking prescribed medication routines 
  • Have Medical Assistance only, no other insurance is accepted
  • Have or be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

LEARN MORE

For inquiries related to children: