§ 7-447

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2) “Behavioral health services” means trauma–informed prevention, intervention, and treatment services for the social–emotional, psychological, and behavioral health of students, including mental health and substance use disorders.

(3) “Coordinated community supports partnership” has the meaning stated in § 7–447.1 of this subtitle.

(b) Each local school system shall appoint a behavioral health services coordinator.

(c) In addition to the requirements under Subtitle 15 of this title, each behavioral health services coordinator shall:

(1) Coordinate existing behavioral health services and referral procedures for behavioral health services within the local school system, including through a coordinated community supports partnership;

(2) Working in collaboration with the local health department, the local department of social services, and other local entities that provide behavioral health services, including a community supports partnership, ensure that a student who is referred for behavioral health services obtains the necessary services in a timely manner;

(3) Maximize external funding for behavioral health and wraparound services;

(4) Have at a minimum a master’s degree and behavioral health training experience in schools;

(5) Provide the required behavioral health training under § 6–122 of this article; and

(6) Develop and implement a standardized screening to identify students with behavioral health services needs using an evidence–based measurement approach.

(d) (1) The Department shall dedicate staff to coordinate with behavioral health services coordinators and staff in local education agencies.

(2) The Department shall designate an employee to be the primary contact for school behavioral health services to work with school–based behavioral health providers and to assist in expanding services through coordinated community supports partnerships.

(3) The Maryland Department of Health shall designate an employee to be the primary contact for school behavioral health services to work with school–based behavioral health providers and to assist in expanding services through coordinated community supports partnerships.

(4) The staff in the Department will be responsible for close collaboration with other youth–serving agencies, the Maryland Consortium of Coordinated Community Supports, and the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center to establish:

(i) Shared goals;

(ii) Processes to collect and share data; and

(iii) Ways to leverage and blend funding to support behavioral health in schools and community–based settings.