Local Behavioral Health Authority (LBHA)

The Local Behavioral Health Authorities (LBHAs) are the local behavioral health authorities responsible for planning, managing, and monitoring public behavioral health services at the local level. LBHAs exist under the authority of the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and also are agents of the county government, which approve their organizational structure.

The functions of local behavioral health authorities are to plan, develop, and manage a full range of treatment and rehabilitation services for persons with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or co-occurring disorders in their jurisdiction as stipulated by the Health General Article, 10-10-1203, Annotated Code of Maryland.

Programs

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)

Purpose

Provide leadership and accountability in Worcester County for the establishment of a diverse, comprehensive and accessible array of quality behavioral health services responsive to the needs and desires of citizens with behavioral health conditions (mental illness, substance use disorder, or co-occurring disorders), their families and service providers. Identify trends and service needs and to promote prevention, outreach, education, referral, advocacy and service delivery through collaboration with the community.

Mission

The mission of the Worcester County Local Behavioral Health Authority is to ensure that people of all ages experiencing behavioral health conditions can better manage their illness; achieve their personal goals; and live, work, and participate in their community.

Vision

To have a comprehensive, effective and responsive service delivery system that assists consumers in achieving optimum wellness and recovery.

Shared Values

The Worcester County LBHA is committed to take actions consistent with the following fundamental values of the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) and the Public Behavioral Health System:

Basic Personal Rights: Consumers have the right to choice, to retain the fullest possible control over their own lives, and to have opportunities to be involved in their communities.
Responsive System: The Public Behavioral Health System must be responsive to the people it serves, coherently organized, and accessible to those individuals needing mental health care and care for substance use disorders.
Empowerment: Consumers and families will be involved in decision-making processes, individually at the treatment level and collectively in the planning and operational aspects of the behavioral health system.
Family and Community Support: We must provide families with the assistance they need in order to maintain or enhance the support they give to their family members.
Least Restrictive Setting: An array of services will be available throughout the state to meet a variety of consumer needs. These services should be provided in the least restrictive, most normative, and most appropriate setting.
Working Collaboratively: Collaborations with other agencies at the state and local level will be fostered so support to consumers is inclusive of all activities of life.
Effective Management and Accountability: Accountability is essential to consistently provide an acceptable level of behavioral health services. Essential management functions include monitoring and self-evaluation, responding rapidly to identified weaknesses in the system, adapting to changing needs, and improving technology.
Local Governance: Local management of resources will improve continuity of care, provide needed services in a timely manner, and improve the congruence of services and resources with needs, and increase economic efficiency due to the closer proximity of the service delivery level.
Staff Resources: The presence of a competent and committed staff is essential for the provision of an acceptable level of behavioral health services.
Community Education: Early identification and prevention activities for risk groups of all ages, public education, and efforts that support families and communities must be incorporated into our service system. Increased acceptance and support for mental health and substance use services comes from increased awareness and understanding of psychiatric disorders, the cycle of addiction, and treatment options.

LBHA Contracts

The LBHA is not a service provider but contracts for services with various providers in the area. Funds primarily come from BHA, but can be obtained through other grants or federal block grants.

Community Based Services
Early Intervention Assessment, Worcester County Health Department
Respite, Children’s Choice
Crisis Response Team (CRT), Worcester County Health Department
Jail/Mental Health, Worcester County Health Department
Alternative Directions, Worcester County Health Department
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (PRP)

Additional Responsibilities

The LBHA manages the Continuum of Care (formerly Shelter plus Care), which is a federally funded program providing housing subsidies to homeless individuals with a mental illness. Additionally, the LBHA manages a fund of money provided by BHA which can pay for goods/services for a person in the public behavioral health system. These goods/services should help the individual remain stable in the community.

Permanent Supportive Housing Program Forms

Forms for Permanent Supportive Housing Programs in HALS CoC