In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Family–centered treatment” means an evidence–based practice used to stabilize youth in the home by addressing underlying functions of behavior in order to reduce disruptions in the home, school, and community. “Functional family therapy” means a family–based prevention and intervention program for high–risk youth that addresses complex and multidimensional problems through clinical practice that is flexibly structured and culturally sensitive. “High–fidelity wraparound model” means a research–based model of care coordination that uses a highly structured, team–based, family–centered management process to meet the needs of children and adolescents who experience complex emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs. “Mental health case management program” means a program that provides an identified subset of wraparound services. “1915(i) model” means the 1915(i) Intensive Behavioral Health Services for Children, Youth, and Families program established under Title 10, Subtitle 9, Chapter 89 of the Code of Maryland Regulations. “Value–based purchasing” means financially incentivizing providers to meet selected outcome measures. “Wraparound services” means services provided to children and youth with intensive mental health needs and their families in their communities, including: Intensive care coordination; Child and family team meetings; and Plans of care that are individualized to each family and include: Formal supports, including individual and family therapy; and Informal supports, including intensive in–home services, respite care, mobile crisis response and stabilization, family peer support, experiential therapies, and flexible funds for goods and services that are identified in the plan of care.

The Department shall ensure that care coordinators delivering services under the 1915(i) model or a mental health case management program receive training in the delivery of services under a high–fidelity wraparound model. The Department shall provide reimbursement for: Wraparound services delivered by care coordinators under a high–fidelity wraparound model under the 1915(i) model or a mental health case management program that is commensurate with industry standards for the reimbursement of the delivery of wraparound services; Intensive in–home services delivered by providers using family–centered treatment, functional family therapy, and other evidence–based practices under the 1915(i) model that is commensurate with the industry standards for the reimbursement of the delivery of family–centered treatment, functional family therapy, and other evidence–based practices; and At least one pilot program utilizing value–based purchasing for case management services. Beginning in fiscal year 2024, the Behavioral Health Administration shall fund 100 slots in the mental health case management program for children or youth who are not eligible for program services and who are at risk of out–of–home placement. The Governor shall include in the annual operating budget bill the following amounts to fund customized goods and services for youth receiving services under the 1915(i) model or mental health case management program: $150,000 for fiscal year 2025; $250,000 for fiscal year 2026; and $350,000 for fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter.

On or before December 1 each year, beginning in 2023, the Department shall report to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Health and Government Operations Committee, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on enrollment in: The 1915(i) model; and Child and adolescent case management services. The report shall include: The total number of children and adolescents served by each program; Whether the number represents an increase or a decrease in the number served; and Any steps the Department has taken to increase enrollment in the programs.