Overview of the Public Mental Health System (PMHS)

Overview of the Public Mental Health System (PMHS)

The PMHS is jointly coordinated and administered by the Mental Hygiene Administration (MHA), Core Service Agencies (CSA’s), and Value Options (the contracted Administrative Service Organization).

MHA has oversight authority of the PMHS, which includes policy development, State-wide planning, resource allocation, and continuous quality improvement responsibilities.

Value Options, the administrative service organization for the PMHS determines consumer eligibility, issues authorizations for services, conducts utilization review of services, collects data, submits reports, processes billing claims, and remits payments to providers.

CSA’s are the local mental health authorities responsible for planning, managing, and monitoring public mental health services at the local level.  Functions include planning, developing, and managing a full range of treatment and rehabilitation services for individuals with serious mental illness in their jurisdiction as stipulated by the Health General Article 10-10-1203, Annotated Code of Maryland.

Further Information Regarding Mental Health

Network of Care
Network of Care is a highly interactive, single information place where anyone can go to easily access a wide variety of important information.
Visit – Network of Care

National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI)
America’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.
Visit – NAMI

Evidence Based Practice
National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) is a searchable database of interventions for the prevention and treatment of mental and substance use disorders.  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has developed this resource to help people, agencies, and organizations implement programs and practices in their communities.
Visit – NREPP