Anyone faced with dealing with a mental illness can be easily overwhelmed by the vast "alphabet soup" of organizations, government agencies and programs that touch the lives of persons with mental illness. In addition, there is the huge learning curve to be overcome concerning the illness itself, the brain and medications.

For assistance with the illnesses, the brain and medications, check out the following web locations:

• NAMI Helpline
• Internet Mental Health

This glossary is our attempt to help you understand the "players", the services available, and some of the concepts used in the world of mental health in Maryland. The glossary is derived from definitions from NAMI members and definitions from the following glossaries:

• Maryland Mental Hygiene Adminstration
• Common Acronyms, Training Institutes Conference on Developing Local Systems of Care in a Managed Care Environment for Children and Adolescents with Serious Emotional Disturbances and their Families, June, 1998

Maryland Mental Health Glossary of Terms

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A

AAP - American Academy of Pediatrics - The professional association for pediatricans.

ACLU - American Civil Liberties Union

ACMHA - American College of Mental Health Adminstration

ACSW - Academy of Certified Social Workers

ACYF - Adminstration for Children, Youth & Families

ADA - American with Disabilities Act -The ADA provides the means by which Americans with disabilities can overcome barriers. According to the law, its purposes are to provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities, as well as clear, strong, consistent, and enforceable set of standards addressing discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

ADAA - State of Maryland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration - State agency charged with services related to alcohol and drug abuse. ADAA is located within the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

AFDC - Aid to Families with Dependent Children

ALOS - Average length of stay

ALU - Alternative Living Unit - A one-to-three person supervised home, usually approved by the Developmental Disabilities Administration or Mental Hygiene Administration.

AMBHA - American Managed Behavioral Healthcare Association

AMI - Alliance for the Mentally Ill. Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Maryland changed its name to NAMI Maryland in 1997.

AMICAN - Alliance for the Mentally Ill - Children and Adolescence Network

APA - American Psychiatric Association

APA - American Psychological Association

APHSA - American Public Human Services Association (formerly APWA)

Appeal - Any action a Medical Assistance eligible individual files with the office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) contesting a denial of services decision made by the CSA or any action a provider files with OAH contesting a denial of a claim.

APS - Adult Protective Services - This service is provided by the Department of Social Services to ensure adults are not abused, neglected or abandoned.

ARC - Association for Retarded Citizens

ASO - Adminstrative Services Organization. Maryland Health Partners is currently under contract as the ASO to administer Medicaid services for DHMH.

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C

C&A - Child and Adolescent Services - A division of the Mental Hygiene Administration which develops policy and monitors mental health services for individuals younger than 18 years of age.

C & A - Children and Adolescents

CAB/CAC - Citizens Advisory Board - also known as CAC (Citizens Advisory Committee)- A Citizens' board that ensures that community concerns and needs are expressed to appropriate county and State officials.

Care Management Team - The Care Management Team is a team of experienced mental health providers with doctoral-level supervision that is responsible for reviewing, coordinating and approving the mental health treatment. Inpatient hospital care residential treatment, partial hospitalization and intensive/traditional outpatient services must be approved in advance or at the time of admission by the Care Management Team.

Care Manager - The Care Manager is a mental health professional. He or she is responsible for reviewing, coordinating and approving the mental health treatment of individuals served by the Maryland Public Mental Health System. Inpatient hospital, residential treatment, partial hospitalization and intensive/traditional outpatient services must be approved in advance or at the time of admission by the Care Manager.

CARF - Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (Formerly known as Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities).

CASSP - Children and Adolescent Service System Program

Case Management - See CM.

CBH  - Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland A professional and advocacy group composed of most of Maryland's psychiatric rehabilitation program providers. Formerly  known as MAPSS - Maryland Association of Psychiatric Support Services

CHAMPUS - Civilian Health & Medical Program for the Uniformed Services

CHIP - Child Health Insurance Program

CICHA - Commerce & Industry Combined Health Appeal

CINA - Child in need of assistance. This term is applied by the State of Maryland departments of Social Services and Juvenile Justice to children and adolescents who are abused, neglected, abandoned or mentally disabled. Situation in which Juvenile Court will assume jurisdiction.

CINS - Child in Need of Supervision - This is the State of Maryland Department of Juvenile Justice term applied to children and adolescents who exhibit acting-out and pre-delinquent behavior.

CM - Mental Health Case Management (COMAR 10.09.45) ( Code of Maryland Regulations) "targeted case management" - services are targeted to individuals inadequately receiving mental health services. Case Management works with the individual to identify goals for the individual service plan, provides linkage to services, monitors service provision, and advocates on behalf of the individual.

CMHC - Community Mental Health Center

CMHS - Center for Mental Health Services. Federal agency that provides leadership to (1) ensure the application of scientifically established findings and practice-based knowledge in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders; (2) improve access, reduce barriers, and promote high quality effective programs and services for people with, or at risk for these disorders, as well as for their families and communities; and (3) promote the rehabilitation of people with mental disorders. A source for federal block grants.

CMI - Chronically Mentally Ill - A term sometimes used to describe adults with serious and persistent mental illnesses. Currently, the term SMI (seriously mentally ill) is preferred when referring to the population. Individuals with psychiatric disabilities is also used frequently.

COMAR - Regulations of the State of Maryland

Complaint -Any oral written action a consumer in the population group or a provider files with the ASO.

CON - Certificate of Need. Approval required by Maryland Health Resources Planning Commission for inpatient services for individuals of all ages. Required of a hospital before they are allowed to expand their facilities.

Concurrent Review - Concurrent review is performed simultaneously and on an ongoing basis. MHP follows the treatment as it is occurring and makes medical necessity determinations about the provisions of care while the care is being provided.

CONS - Certification of Need for Services - Documentation indicating need for inpatient treatment generated by an independent team prior to a child or adolescent's admission to a hospital or residential treatment center. Maryland Health Partners (MHP) serves as the independent team for all medicaid funded admissions to RTC.

Consumer - A consumer is an individual (or parent of a minor child) who received mental health services from the Maryland Public Mental Health System.

Core Service Agency - Local management entity for public mental health services within a jurisdiction. Agency responsibilities include planning, providing for service provision according to locally determined needs, and monitoring service delivery and evaluating service outcomes. CSAs are agents of county or City government and may be a county department, quasi government body or private non-profit corporation.

CPP - Community Psychiatric Program

CPS - Child Protective Services - A service provided by the State of Maryland Department of Social Services which investigates child abuse and neglect complaints received from the community.

Crownsville - A state hospital in Anne Arundel County.

CRP - Community Rehabilitation Program (formerly called psychosocial program)

CSA - Core Service Agency - See definition above.