Maryland Department of Health
Behavioral Health Administration

Child,Adolescent and Young Adult Services (CAYAS)

BHA’s Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Services (CAYAS) division is charged with developing a system of care for young people and their families ranging from early childhood all the way through to the time when young people reach the age of majority and legally become adults. The system of care is designed to meet the needs of individuals within this age range who have mental health conditions, substance-related disorders, and those who have both. The division evaluates the network of services that BHA funds for this age group and has the responsibility for statewide planning, development, administration and monitoring of provider performance to assure the highest possible level of quality in the delivery of services. The division also manages a number of special projects and is responsible for working with all other child serving agencies at both the State and local levels to assure a highly coordinated and individualized approach to care.​
 
Director Dr. Maria Rodowski-Stanco 
410-402-8487

Deputy Director Joana Joasil, LCPC
410-949-6175

The division of Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Services (CAYAS) includes the following programs:

 

Office of Early Childhood Services

Director: D'Lisa Worthy

(410) 402-8343

dlisa.worthy1@maryland.gov 

This office provides oversight of early childhood services to include technical support and guidance to jurisdictional leads and educational partners, as well as trainings on evidence-based programming specific to early childhood space. Programs and initiatives under this office include: 

  • Center of Excellence in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
  • Head Start Programs
  • Therapeutic Nurseries
  • Judy Centers
  • Children's Mental Health Matters 
  • Evidenced-Based Practices
    • Facilitating Attuned Interactions (FAN)
    • Pyramid Model
    • Healthy Steps
    • MomPower
    • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Interface
    • Mental Health First Aid 

Office of Child & Adolescent Services

Director: Caroline Jones

(410) 402-8488

cjones@maryland.gov 

This office provides oversight of children and adolescent services

  • Targeted Case Management (TCM)
  • 1915(i) Waiver
    For more information on TCM and 1915(i), contact JoAnn Baxley at joann.baxley1@maryland.gov 
  • Targeted Case Management Plus
    For more information on TCM Plus, contact Candice Adams at candice.adams@maryland.gov 
  • Residential Treatment Centers (RTC) 
  • Therapeutic Group Homes (TGH)
  • Mental Health Stabilization Services
  • School-Based Programs
  • Respite Services
  • Promotion & Wellness

 

Office of Juvenile Forensics

Director: Dr. Michael T. Guilbault

(443) 516-7613

michael.guilbault1@maryland.gov 

The Office of Juvenile Forensics houses the Juvenile Pretrial Services. Pursuant to Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 3­-8A-17.1, Juvenile Pretrial Services is responsible for providing pre-adjudication evaluations for competency to proceed in juvenile court.  This team oversees competency attainment services and the ongoing re-evaluations of juveniles who have been found incompetent to proceed but attainable. Unlike the adult criminal system, Juvenile Pretrial Services does not evaluate for criminal responsibility.  

Office of Juvenile Forensics also serves as the coordinating agency overseeing the Facility for Children (FFC) in collaboration with other relevant agencies including the Department of Human Resources (DHR), Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), and Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).   

For additional information, contact Dionna Joseph, Chief, Juvenile Pretrial Services at (443) 938- 0021; or via email dionna.joseph@maryland.gov 

 

Office of Transition-Aged Youth (TAY) and Young Adult Services

Director: Natalee Solomon

(410) 402-8474

natalee.solomon@maryland.gov  

The Office of Transition-Aged Youth (TAY) and Young Adult Services provide an array of mental health and supportive services for Seriously Emotionally Disturbed (SED) and Severely Mentally Ill (SMI) youth ages 16-25. TAY programs focus on a number of priority populations to receive these services, along with a specific emphasis on outreaching and engaging TAY who are currently not linked to services or underserved. The Office of TAY and Young Adult Services also monitors evidence-based substance abuse programming for adolescents, TAY & young adults. Programs and initiatives under this office include: 

  • Evidence Based Services
  • Adolescent Clubhouses
    • Adolescent Clubhouse Directory
  • Young Adult Recovery Houses​