Behavioral Health and Implementation
Baltimore Public Health Gap Analysis Implementation Plan
In 2019, the City conducted a gap analysis of its public behavioral health system. This report included several recommendations. Now, the City is releasing its plan to implement the key recommendations, developed in conjunction with the Collaborative Planning and Implementation Committee (CPIC).
View the Public Behavioral Health Gap Analysis Implementation Plan here.
Behavioral Health Gap Analysis Implementation Plan Semiannual Reports
Paragraph 97 of the Consent Decree reads as follows: “The City will coordinate with the Collaborative Planning and Implementation Committee (“CPIC”) to conduct an assessment to identify gaps in the behavioral health service system, recommend solutions, and assist with implementation of the recommendations as appropriate.” The goal of the assessment was to:
● analyze a sample of police interactions with people with behavioral health disabilities to identify systemic barriers and solutions;
● and for the Public Behavioral Health System (PBHS) at large, to identify gaps in behavioral health services, problems with the quality or quantity of existing services, and other unmet needs that in turn can lead to preventable criminal justice system involvement.
In response to the recommendations issued in the analysis, the Behavioral Health Gap Analysis Implementation Plan was published in Summer 2022. This plan demonstrates a commitment to address gaps within the public behavioral health system and transform the landscape in our city to adequately provide the resources and support that those experiencing behavioral health crises need.
The Behavioral Health Gap Analysis Implementation Plan consists of four main sections:
● 911 Diversion and Mobile Crisis Team Response,
● Crisis Services Integration,
● Peer Supports and
● Social Determinants of Health.
The following reports provide a semiannual update of implementation progress of the plan.
Quarterly Behavioral Health System Implementation Updates
Under the Consent Decree Monitoring Plan, the City is required to provide detailed public-facing reports that describe the status of and progress made in the following areas related to Behavioral Health reforms as directed by the Consent Decree agreement:
- Mobile Crisis Team standards,
- Development of a comprehensive behavioral health call center in order to increase 911 diversion opportunities, and
- A public awareness campaign that promotes alternatives to calling 911 for a behavioral health crisis (e.g., the Here2Help Hotline).
Q1 2021 Behavioral Health System Implementation Update
Q2 2021 Behavioral Health System Implementation Update