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

BACK TO TOP

G

GAF - Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale, DSM IV - The reporting of overall function on Axis V is performed using the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale. The GAF scale may be particularly useful in tracking the clinical progress of individuals in global terms, using a single measure. The GAF scale is to be rated with respect only to psychological and occupational functioning.

GAO - Federal General Accounting Office

GES - Geriatric Evaluation Services - Provides comprehensive long-term care evaluations for aged and functionally disabled adults to prevent unnecessary and/or inappropriate institutionalization. A multi-disciplinary team assesses the individuals' needs and identifies those services that would help the individual to remain in the community, or the least restrictive environment. GES may provide assistance with obtaining the identified services or refer to other providers for case management. GES is administered by the Medical Care Policy Administration within DHMH.

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

GWSCSW- Greater Washington Society for Clinical Social Work

BACK TO TOP

H

HB- House Bill - Proposed legislation in the Maryland House of Delegates (e.g., HB38).

HCFA - U.S. Health Care Financing Administration

HD - Health Department - Local governing authority which oversees the health and often the mental health agencies within its specific jurisdiction.

HHS - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

HMO - Health Maintenance Organization.

HRD - Human Resource Development - General term used in reference to staffing issues, including staffing patterns, training, hiring and retention of staff.

HUD - U.S. Housing and Urban Development. A federal agency responsible for housing programs and Section 8 housing, a program of vouchers for housing for the disabled.

BACK TO TOP

I

IAC Interagency Committee on Aging Services - Established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1983 to ensure coordination of services to elderly Marylanders. It includes the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Human Resources, Housing and Community Development, Economic and Employment Development, Transportation, the State Office on Aging, local area Agencies on Aging, and a representative of the general public.

ICC - Interagency Coordinating Council (required by Part H. PL 99-457)

IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

IEP - Individualized Education Plan

IFSP - Individual Family Services Plan

I&R - Information and Referral

IEP - Individual Education Plan, for the special education needs of a particular child.

IMD - Institute for Mental Disease as defined by 42 CFR (code of Federal Regulations) § 435.1009 and includes State psychiatric hospitals. (in-patient care)

IPA - Independent Practice Association

IRWE - Impaired-Related Work Expenses - When an individual works while receiving Social Security Disability or SSI benefits, certain impairment- related work expenses can be deducted from what is counted as earnings by Social Security.

IRB - Institutional Review Board. A committee that approves and monitors research projects.