Referral Process
Interest in Service Eligibility?
AGENCY REFERRAL
If an LCT member agency determines that a child with special needs may require technical assistance or brainstorming, that agency should promptly refer the child’s case to the LCT for discussion and coordination of interagency services.
Any time a lead agency believes that a child may require the services of an out-of-state program, that agency shall immediately refer the child to the State Coordinating Council (SCC). See Cabinet #3 Directives.
FAMILY REFERRAL
If a family and/or youth are in need of technical assistance or brainstorming but have no involvement with any of the LCT member agencies, then that family and/or youth can self-refer to the LCT. They should click on link #1, LCT REFERRAL FORM.
After submitting your Referral Form, please email the completed Release of Info Form and Confidentiality Form to the LCT Coordinator.
Local Care Team
Who We Are
The Somerset County Local Care Team (LCT) is a division of the Somerset County Local Management Board. It is funded by the Maryland Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. The LCT aims to reduce out-of-home placements for youth with intensive needs. It connects families with resources, services, advocates, and navigators. This addresses needs from diagnostic evaluations to residential treatment and voluntary placements.
The LCT raises community awareness. It does so through advocacy, marketing, training, and technical assistance. It strengthens partnerships with local agencies. It also collaborates with the Somerset County Behavioral Health Authority, provider networks, and other LCTs. This fosters safe, healthy, and stable environments. It ensures youth remain within their communities of origin.
Our Mission
Our mission is to promote a safe, healthy, and stable environment for all Somerset County children and families by building a comprehensive system of education, health, and human services through public and private interagency collaboration.
Our Vision
Our vision is to reduce the number of youths being placed outside the home as well as reduce the number of out-of-state referrals by providing families with access to local resources.
✔️ Provide a forum for children and families with
intensive behavioral health needs
✔️ Provide interagency problem solving to identify
individual needs and potential resources
✔️ Refer children and families to care management
entities and/or available local and community resources
✔️ Identify and share resource development needs
✔️ Discuss a request for a Voluntary Placement
Agreement (VPA)
❌ Make placement decisions
❌ Make treatment decisions
❌ Make placement referrals
❌ Approve out-of-state placements
❌ Make VPA decisions
What is the role of a local care team?
LCT History
July 1, 2011
This new legislation supports the implementation of Maryland’s shift to a service delivery process that is more family driven, facilitates the provision of community-based services for children with intensive needs by allowing families to self-refer for services without a lead agency, and provides for child-and-family teams selected by the families to develop plans of care for community-based services rather than the currently-required local interagency bodies that often lack first-hand familiarity with the families’ needs.
Current Maryland Annotated Code Human Services Article, Title 8, Subtitle 4
There is a Local Care Team in each Maryland jurisdiction that coordinates services for children in need of residential placement and children with intensive needs. LCTs also provide interagency plans of care for youth diverted from residential placement.
How We Can Help You
Help Your Child
If you have a child with an intensive behavioral/mental health need and/or IEP who you think could use additional support to be successful, you are in a perfect position to refer to the Local Care Team (LCT).
-
You will talk to the parent or guardian about this resource explaining this is a voluntary opportunity to connect with other resources.
-
You will complete a referral packet and submit it to the LCT Coordinator.
-
You or a designee from your agency will present the case to the LCT while the parent or guardian is present to share their perspective.
-
The team will brainstorm with the parent or guardian to create a Plan of Care for the child.
-
Typically, you and your agency will take the lead and follow up with the family to make sure that the child and family connect with the resources discussed.
-
-
A scheduled appointment time and link approximately five days prior to the meeting date.
-
You may join the virtual meeting using Zoom on your laptop, tablet, Android, or iPhone. For the best meeting experience, please download Zoom onto your device before you try to join the meeting at the scheduled meeting time.
-
You may also join an audio-only version of the meeting on your phone by dialing one of the phone numbers listed in your invitation.
-
Your child does not need to participate with you.
-
Please, be patient. We try to stay on time. However, you may need to wait in the virtual waiting room if we are running behind.
-
-
The Local Care Team is made up of representatives of each agency in our county that work with children. It can seem like a lot of people. Just remember, we are all here to help do what is best for your child, you, and your family.
-
We are all a part of your child’s team and we will work together to suggest solutions to support them.
-
Everyone will introduce themselves.
-
We will ask you and the individual representing the organization that referred you to tell us about what has brought you to the LCT.
-
The LCT members will share various suggestions about resources and referrals that can be made. Remember, everyone in the meeting is there to help.
-
The LCT Coordinator will send recommendations to the parent and team after the meeting, which will include suggested services and contact for respective agencies.
-
Resources
Category | Title | Description | Phone | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Resource Guides | UMES Gender & Sexuality
Spectrum LGBTQ+ Guide | This guide promote
conversations that allow for better understanding and support of one another | 🔗 | |
Mental Health Apps | Happify | Spanish | 🔗 | |
Mental Health Apps | Calm | Spanish | 🔗 | |
Mental Health Apps | Meditopia | Spanish | 🔗 | |
Mental Health Apps | Simple Habits | Mindfulness | 🔗 | |
Mental Health Apps | What's Up? | Coping Skills | 🔗 | |
Mental Health Apps | Happify | Coping Skills | 🔗 | |
Mental Health Apps | Super Better | Coping Skills | 🔗 |
