Programs & Services

MSMHS functions as lead agency for the new Community Alternatives Framework.  With the cooperation of Maryland's Mental Hygiene Administration, MSMHS joined with the other CSAs on the Eastern Shore in the Fall of 2009 to design a series of new or enhanced services that we believe will greatly improve satisfaction with, and access to, key crisis assistance and a broader array of housing opportunities. These services were necessitated by yet another traditional state hospital facility closure, consistent with Maryland's goal of caring for behavioral health consumers in the least restrictive environment.

Nancy Fauntleroy, LCSW-C, is the Administrator of all Community Alternatives Framework (CAF) activities.  Based in Easton, her responsibility is to coordinate both provision of, as well as access to, all these new services that are blossoming.  For example, as of February 15, 2010 all nine Shore counties had at least one clinic that would set aside time each business day to see individuals in crisis.  There will be many referral points into these Urgent Care Clinics as we call them, but the Eastern Shore's long-time dedicated crisis hotline is at 800-422-0009 and will be a foundational point of access for all the system growth we are pursuing.

March 1, 2010 represents quite a red letter day for behavioral health on the Eastern Shore.  Both the 24/7 Eastern Shore Operations Center and our Mobile Crisis Teams will "go live" after weeks of organization.  Life Crisis Center Inc. in Salisbury, at the 800-422-0009, will field both crisis and non-emergent calls on an around the clock basis, linking the Shore's consumer with crucial services and dispatching the Northern and Southern Mobile Crisis Teams trained and operated by Affiliated Sante Group, who will have offices in Chestertown, Easton and Mardela Springs.  Concurrently, 12 new residential rehabilitation beds are being brought "online" by Channel Marker Inc. and Crossroads Inc. and Kent County Health Department is expanding its Whitisitt Center for co-occurring treatment by 16-beds, with 4 crisis beds to boot.  Yes.  That all happens on one day of this process.

Stay tuned, of course.  There are more elements to come.  And we are developing comprehensive print materials and there will be many opportunities to meet individuals like Nancy Fauntleroy and learn more in the months ahead.