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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P

P&A - Protection and Advocacy - The process of protecting mental health system consumers from abuse and neglect and assuring that their rights as citizens and recipients of care are fully respected. "P & A" can also refer to the "Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986: which provided federal funds for each State to establish programs designed to protect and advocate for the rights of people with a mental illness.

PA - Public Assistance

PASARR - Pre-Admission Screening and Annual Resident Review - The Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1987. (OBRA '87) requires pre-admission screening and annual resident review of individuals with mental illness or mental retardation and related conditions, who are applicants to or residents of nursing facilities certified for Medicaid, regardless of the source of payment for Nursing Facilities services.

P.A.S.S. - Plan for Achieving Self Support - a P.A.S.S. is a specific savings/spending plan to set aside income and resources for up to 48 months toward a Social Security Administration (SSA) approved occupational goal. A plan for Achieving Self-Support can help an individual to establish or maintain SSI eligibility and can also increase the individual's SSI payment amount.

PATH - Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness - This is a formula grant authorized by the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Amendments Act of 1990 to provide community-based services for people with serious mental illness who are homeless or at imminent of becoming homeless.

Perkins - Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center. The State of Maryland forensic hospital.

Physician Advisor - A physician Advisor is a board-certified practicing physician who preforms Care Management services. The physician is board-certified in psychiatry.

PL 96-272 - The Adoption Assistance & Child Welfare Act of 1980

PL 99-457 - Education for All Children Handicapped Act/Amendments of 1986

PL 99-660 - State Comprehensive Mental Health Services Plan Act of 1986. Federal Law that mandated that all states develop plans for a comprehensive community-based mental health service for individuals with serious mental illness.

PL 101-639 - Mental Health Amendments of 1990 to PL 99-660

PL 102-321 - Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Reorganization Act . Federal law that preempted PL 99-660 and continued requirements regarding developing community-based services for individuals with serious mental illness. PL 102-321 integrates the Mental Health Block Grant funding with comprehensive planning requirements.

PMHS - Public Mental Health System - Publicly supported mental health system of the State of Maryland, funded by State and Medicaid funds. The Mental Hygiene Administration has oversight authority and utilizes Core Service Agencies to plan and manage services on the local level and an ASO, Maryland Health Partners, to adminstrate key functions of the system.

PMHS Providers - Network of individuals and institutions who have contracted with a CSA to provide services to individuals served in the Maryland Public Mental Health System.

Population Group - means that an individual is part of the MA Waiver population, part of the MA Non Waiver Population, or part of the Non MA Population.

Population By Age Group - means that an individual is in the children and adolescent population [0-17], adult population [18-64] or elderly population [65±].

Population By Co-Existing Conditions - means that an the individual is also diagnosed as having a substance abuse problem, has developmental disabilities, has cognitive impairments, or has general medical conditions (HIV positive, tuberculosis).

PPO - Preferred provider organization.

Pre-admission Authorization or Preauthorization - Inpatient hospital care, residential treatment, partial hospitalization and intensive/traditional outpatient services are evaluated and authorization prior to or at the time the services are rendered. Because the services have not occurred, the plan for treatment can be reviewed by a Care Manager before the services are provided and the cost is incurred. In emergency situations, preauthorization will be done at the time services are rendered. If care is not preauthorized, it may be subject to a possible denial of some services/days for lack of medical necessity.

Project Shelter - Special project of United Way which funds innovative shelter programs.

Project Home - Housing and case management program of the Maryland Department of Human Resources.

PRP - Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program - Community-based rehabilitation programs for adults with serious mental illness, which provide skills training, socialization, support and job-readiness training.

PRWORA - Personal Responsibility & Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act -1996

PTI - Parent & Training Information Centers

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Q

QA - Quality Assurance

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R

R & T - Research & Training Centers (on Children's Mental Health)

Referred - Referred is the term used for those individuals who go through the MRP Care Manager to be "referred" for treatment.

Referring Source - Consumer, mental health care provider, somatic MCOs, primary care physician, CSA, family, or agency or individual within community.

Registration - Unmanaged Visits - Consumer registration with MHP is required for reimbursement of the five unmanaged visits.

Registration - Non Medicaid Consumers - Consumer registration with MHP utilizing the Non-Medicaid Consumer Registration Form and income verification documentation is required for reimbursement of all services rendered to Non- Medicaid consumers.

Residential Services -Care given in a residential crisis bed, a respite bed, a therapeutic group home, a group home, or residential rehabilitation program.

RFP - Request for Proposal. Specifies the terms and conditions for a bidding process or a grant application.

RICA - Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents - Facilities licensed and operated by the Mental Hygiene Administration which provide residential treatment for children and adolescents who are severely emotionally disturbed. RICAs are located in Baltimore City, Southern Maryland (Prince George's County) and Rockville (Montgomery County).

RRC - Regional Resource Centers (Special Education)

RRP - Residential Rehabilitation Program - Provides rehabilitation services in a structured home setting to individuals with serious mental illness.

RTC - Residential Treatment Center - A varied group of mental health facilitiies that provide 24-hour treatment and care for children and adolescents with emotional, behavioral or mental disorders. Includes the RICAs.

RWJ - Robert Wood Johnson Foundation