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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D

DBFP - State of Maryland Department of Budget and Fiscal Planning - An executive department of the State government that is responsible for the preparation of budget and fiscal planning.

DDA - State of Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration - An agency in the State government charged with providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities in Maryland. DDA is located within Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

DHCD - State of Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development - Maryland agency charged with administering federal and State programs for housing and community development.

DHMH - State of Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. An executive department of State government which is responsible for all health related issues. Also known as the "State Health Department."

DHR - State of Maryland Department of Human Resources. A department of the State government charged with serving families and individuals who, due to financial hardship, disability, age, chronic disease, or any other cause, need help in obtaining basic necessities of food and shelter. Responsible for welfare programs.

DJJ - State of Maryland Department of Juvenile Justice - A department of the State government charged with providing juvenile justice services to children with suspected involvement in delinquent and/or status offenses.

DOE - U. S. Department of Education

DORS - State of Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services - A division of the Maryland State Department of Education that focuses on the vocational and rehabilitation needs of persons with disabilities. Formerly the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation or DVR.

DRADA - Depression Related Affective Disorders Association

DRG - Diagnostic Related Group.

DSM-IV R - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, revised. Manual of standard definitions of clinical diagnostic terms. Produced by the American Psychiatric Association.

DSS - State of Maryland Department of Social Services - Local county agencies which provide a large range of services including: public assistance payments, medical Assistance, protective services to children and adults, and services to families with children. These local agencies are under the State Department of Human Resources.

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E

EBD - Emotionally or Behaviorally Disturbed

EHA - The Education of All Handicapped Children (PL 94-142)

EPSDT - Early and Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment - The federal law requires states to provide EPSDT services to all medicaid-eligible recipients under age 22 in order to identify physical and mental problems through periodic examinations (called screens).

ERISA - Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Supercedes state regulations for employee health insurance programs where the company has self-insured.

ESY - Extended School Year, for special education needs

EVS - Eligibility Verification System - To determine if a recipient has already selected an managed care organization.

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F

FFCMH - Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health

FICC - Federal Interagency Coordinating Council

FY- Fiscal Year - The fiscal year for the State of Maryland runs from July 1 to June 30.