Expanded School Mental Health

Through a variety of state and local administrative arrangements, Expanded School Mental Health (ESMH) programs have been developed in nearly 119 Baltimore City schools over the past decade. These programs augment existing services provided by the school and help to ensure that a comprehensive range of services (assessment, prevention, case management, treatment) are available to youth in regular education.
Hope Health Systems’ Expanded School Based Program strives every year to be the best clinical Program serving Public and Charter Schools in Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Charles County. Our goal, for each school that we service, is to strive for excellence in service, promote academic success, establish and develop students’ personal assets and capabilities; and, provide high quality services that will incorporate evidence-based practices and practice-based evidence interventions, continuum of care, authentic parent/family engagement, meaningful youth involvement, culturally and linguistically competent service provisions, training, consultation services, and, data-driven planning, evaluation, and quality improvement. For additional information please call 410.265.8737.

Scope of Practice for ESMH Programs

A mental health screening is conducted with the parent and or guardian of the individual by a mental health professional. The face-to-face screening assesses the individual’s strengths, available resources, and treatment needs.

A psychiatric diagnosis is formulated and includes a description of the presenting problem, any relevant history, mental status examination and rationale for diagnosis.

A treatment plan is developed in collaboration with the individual and parent and or guardian. ITP includes the individual’s diagnosis, presenting problems, needs, strengths, treatment expectations and responsibilities. Long term and short term goals are determined in measurable terms. Target dates are also provided for each individual goal. Criteria for successful completion of treatment and reasons for continuing treatment are outlined. Lastly, the client will be provided with a crisis response plan as well as updates on progress of their objectives.

A contact note is completed after each visit describing the service delivered. Each month a progress summary note is completed that describes progress towards ITP goals and any changes in an individual’s status. If needed, changes in treatment goals and services will be determined.

Appropriate recommendations for referral are provided if applicable.

If indicated, medication services, i.e. prescription, monitoring, and education regarding medication are provided.

Crisis services are made available during schools hours. If a HHS staff member is not on site, there will be a HHS staff member on call. An appropriate crisis plan will be developed and documented in the medical records.

HHS staff will provide training of clinical services and clinical intervention relating to children with mental health needs to school teachers and staffs. Consultation regarding clinical interventions, classroom observation, and classroom feedback will be provided.

A discharge plan is prepared when the treatment team i.e. Therapist, Psychiatrist and Treatment Coordinator, determines that discharge is appropriate. The plan is developed in collaboration with the client and parent/guardian and assesses individual’s current clinical status, services needs and progress on agreed goals.

School Sites List by County

  • Arbutus Middle
  • Chadwick Elementary
  • Hillcrest Elementary
  • Relay Elementary
  • Southwest Academy
  • Windsor Mill Middle
  • Winfield Elementary
  • Woodlawn High
  • Abbottston Elementary
  • Arlington Elementary/Middle
  • Baltimore Design School
  • Beechfield Elementary/Middle
  • Cecil Elementary
  • City Neighbors Charter
  • City Neighbors Hamilton
  • City Neighbors High
  • Dallas F. Nicholas, Sr. Elementary
  • Dr. Nathan A. Pitts-Ashburton
  • Fort Worthington Elementary
  • Furley Elementary/Middle
  • Gardenville Elementary
  • Garrett Heights Elementary/Middle
  • Govans Elementary
  • Green Street Academy
  • Hamilton Elementary/Middle
  • Harford Heights Elementary
  • Hilton Elementary
  • James McHenry Elementary/Middle
  • Leith Walk Elementary/Middle
  • Moravia Park Elementary
  • NACA Freedom & Democracy II
  • Pimlico Elementary/Middle
  • Vanguard Collegiate Middle
  • Windsor Hills Elementary/Middle

To find out if your school has an Expanded School Mental Health Program, Contact your local Core Service Agency:

Baltimore City
Behavioral Health Systems Baltimore
One North Charles Street,
Suite 1300,
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-637-1900
Fax: 410-637-1911

Baltimore County
Baltimore County Bureau of Behavioral Health
6401 York Road
3rd Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21212
Phone: 410-887-3828

Woodlawn, MD

1726 Whitehead Rd
Array
Baltimore, MD 21207
Phone 1: 410.944.HOPE
Phone 2: 410.265.8737
Fax: 410.265.1258
Email: info@hopehealthsystems.com


Greenspring, MD

2605 Banister Rd
Baltimore, MD 21215
Phone: 410.878.0236
Fax: 410.567.0399


Carroll County, MD

6210 Georgetown Blvd
Suites A, B & C
Eldersburg, MD 21784
Phone: 410.216.5500
Fax: 410.567.0401


Middletown, DE

417 E Main St
Middletown, DE 19709
Phone: 302.376.9619
Fax: 302.378.1028