Stability Initiative Eligibility and Referral Information
DHR Referrals
The Stability Initiative makes CME services available in all Maryland jurisdictions and will be
open to referrals from both the Department of Human Resources (DHR) and Department of
Juvenile Services (DJS) on a first-come, first-served basis.
If eligible, the child/youth may be served by the Stability Initiative for up to 15 months in
accordance with the Contract.
Eligibility Criteria for DHR Referrals for the Stability Initiative (up to 250 slots shared
with DJS referrals)
DHR children/youth referred to the Stability Initiative must meet all of the following
criteria:
1. Child/youth has a Serious Emotional Disability (SED) diagnosis as documented in a
psycho-social assessment, psychological evaluation or psychiatric evaluation.
a. Diagnosis
i. Emotional, socio-emotional, behavioral, or mental disorder diagnosable
under the DSM IV (excluding V codes, substance use disorders and
developmental disorders unless they co-occur with another serious
diagnosable disorder).
ii. For children 3 years and younger, Of Mental Health and Developmental
Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood-Revised should be used as a
diagnostic tool as an alternative to the DSM IV.
iii. For children 4 years and older, the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for
Children (DISC) may be used as an alternative to the DSM IV.
b. Disability
i. Child/youth is unable to function in the family, school or community, or
in a combination of these settings.
ii. Or, the level of functioning is such that the child/youth requires
multiagency intervention involving two (2) or more community
service agencies providing service in the areas of mental health,
education, child welfare, juvenile justice, substance abuse, or
primary health care.
iii. For children under 6, community service agencies include those
providing services in the area of childcare, early childhood.
education (e.g., Head Start) pediatric care, and family mental
health.
iv. For youth ages 18-21, community service agencies include those
providing services in the area of adult mental health, social
services, vocational counseling and rehabilitation, higher education,
criminal justice, and housing and health.
c. Duration
i. The identified SED diagnosis (as defined above) must have been
present for at least one (1) year or, on the basis of the diagnosis,
severity or multiagency intervention, is expected to last more than
one (1) year.
2. The child/youth has been determined to be at risk of an out-of home placement and
has one of the following: an open CPS/In-Home Service case at the time of CME
referral; or currently is in out-of-home placement at the congregate (group home)
level or above.
3. The child/youth has a mental health condition that needs attention for which an
authorized health professional has recommended treatment by a mental health
professional.
Or;
At the time of referral, eligible children/youth for Voluntary Placement Agreement
(VPA) Diversion shall:
i. Have a documented developmental disability or mental illness;
ii. Be at risk of out-of-home placement in order to obtain treatment
directly related to the documented disability; and,
iii. Have parents or guardians who are unable to provide needed
treatment;
Or,
At the time of referral, eligible children/youth for group home diversion shall:
i. Have documented community-based services needs beyond that
which the LDSS can provide in order to maintain the family placement
setting;
ii. Be residing in a family placement; or,
iii. Are being stepped down to an identified public foster family
placement with thirty (30) days of referral;
Or;
At the time of referral, eligible children/youth for out-of-home placement diversion
shall:
i. Have been identified as at-risk of out-of-home placement;
ii. Have documented community-based services needs that require
additional coordination beyond that which the LDSS can provide to
stabilize the child/youth at home or with relative; and,
iii. Have an active in-home service case
At the time of referral, eligible children/youth being reunified with family shall:
i. Have the permanency plan of reunification;
ii. Have a date of return home within sixty (60) days from the date of
referral; and,
iii. Have documented community-based services needs that require
additional coordination beyond that which the LDSS can provide to
stabilize the child/youth at home.
DHR Referral Protocol and Gatekeeper:
a. Child/youth must be referred through the local department of social services.
Each local department will designate a Gatekeeper who shall be responsible for
screening the DHR referrals.
b. The Gatekeeper will forward referrals to the CME, using the identified referral
process and form.
c. The CME will enroll eligible children/youth and their families into the Stability
Initiative under the Contract as slots permit. The CME shall maintain
documentation that supports the eligibility/ineligibility of referrals received.
d. Once a child/youth is referred and determined to be eligible for the Stability
Initiative, services will be provided in accordance with the CME Contract upon
enrollment