CLINICAL SERVICES

The core services of TCYSB include individual, group and family counseling in each of the three counties in Southern Maryland.  Staff works closely with families, school systems, the Department of Social Services, the Health Department, the Department of Juvenile Services, and other local agencies to develop intervention plans that will maximize young people’s resources and help them move towards resolving academic, behavioral and emotional problems.

Child and Family Counseling

Tri-County Youth Services Bureau provides results-oriented counseling services for children, youth and families.  Master’s level clinicians provide services with specific and ongoing training in child and family issues and interventions.  TCYSB emphasizes best practices and continuous quality assurance through customer satisfaction surveys and goal attainment. 

The primary focus of our counseling services is to produce positive outcomes by helping families to achieve their goals.  Clinicians provide counseling as well as case management services to children and youth up to age 21 and their families.  Issues addressed in counseling include, but may not be limited to

• family conflict
• child abuse and neglect
• separation and divorce
• domestic violence
• behavioral problems
• delinquency prevention
• anger management
• social relationships
• personal growth and development
• parenting

School Based Mental Health Counseling

The Mental Health Program offers school-based services designed to support youth development and improve school behavior and success by working with families, schools and the community.

The program uses the Ecological-Developmental approach identified as an effective practice for delinquency prevention and promotion of mentally healthy children and youth as recommended in the Surgeon General’s Report on Children’s Mental Health and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

The Program focuses on:

1. Developing strong attachments to school.
2. Creating potential for individual children’s school success.
3. Working with schools to ensure that children facing challenges have what they need to succeed. 

During the course of intervention, the clinician works with the child, parents, teachers and other school staff to develop strategies for success in and out of the classroom.

Service Access

School based counseling services are available in all 20 elementary and eight middle schools and at the Robert Stethem Alternative School in Charles County.  Students are referred for services by the school principal or guidance counselor.  Services are free of charge.

Program Services

Individual Intervention: individual assessment, individual counseling, service planning and classroom support.

Group intervention: offers skill building groups and support in the areas of anger management, social skills, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and relationship abilities.  The program utilizes the Second Step program, a best practices model embraced the Maryland State Department of Education.

Parent consultation:  Partnerships to develop intervention plans, parent support, community linkages and coordination of interventions between home and school.

Teacher/Staff consultation:  ongoing consultation with teachers and staff to provide support and develop plans to assist students in achieving school success.

Parenting Enhancement Workshops:  monthly support groups are offered at different schools throughout the school year.

The Charles County Public Schools system combines the best quality educational practices with a wide range of vital services to ensure that children are physically, emotionally, and socially prepared to learn.  Parents and community members are welcomed and encouraged to become involved in promoting the educational and social growth of all youth.

Group Counseling

Reconnecting Youth

Students in grades 4 to 12 meet weekly for 8 weeks to discuss the following topics:

• Controlling emotions
• Healthy relationships
• Goal-setting
• Decision-making
• Improving self-concept

DELINQUENCY PREVENTION

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

SOCIAL SKILLS

Best Foot Forward for girls

The Best Foot Forward program offers young girls the opportunity to explore and gain knowledge in a number of areas including etiquette, self-esteem, career choices and relationship building.  The Best Foot Forward program is an 8-week journey of self discovery for girls ages 12-18, and meets weekly at a TCYSB designated site.

GOALS

Etiquette

Girls will learn the basics of etiquette, including table setting, serving and proper table manners.  The group will also have a meal at a restaurant to practice skills learned.

Career choice

Girls will be given tools to help them discover their talents, explore and to use them wisely.  Successful career women in the community will share how they overcame obstacles to success.

Personal image

Group discussion and activities will focus on what young girls project through their personal appearance (mode of dress, language, manners, make-up, accessories, attitude and how to make a right impression).

Healthy relationships

Girls will develop effective communication skills, how to respect others’ feelings, resolve conflict, and make lasting friendships, in addition to learning how to give and receive respect from others.  This topic will include a discussion on safe and healthy relationships, dating, and how it relates to life long goals.

Special events: 

Restaurant Night Out

Museum Field Trip

Mother-Daughter Tea Party

Step On Up for boys

The Step On Up program offers young boys the opportunity to explore and gain knowledge in a number of areas including: character development, self-esteem career choices and creating healthy relationships.  This is an 8-week journey of self discovery.  Boys ages 12-18 are invited to participate in this program which meets weekly at a TCYSB designated sited.

Goals:

Character development

Boys will learn the basics of appropriate language and behavior to use in different settings.  Group discussion and activities will also focus on social and professional manners as well as table etiquette.

Career choice

Boys will be given tools to help them discover their talents, explore and to use them wisely.  Successful career men will share how they overcame obstacles to success.

Self Image

Group discussion and activities will focus on what young men project through their personal appearance (mode of dress, language, manners, attitude and how to make a right impression).

Healthy relationships

Boys will learn communication skills, how to respect others’ feelings, resolve conflict, and make lasting friendships, as well as learn how to give and receive respect from others.  This topic will include a discussion on healthy and safe dating and how it relates to life long goals.

Special events: 

Boys’ Night Out

Museum Field Trip

Father-Son Outing

Ready by 21
Life Skills Training for teens and young adults

This training program for teens and young adults meets weekly for 8 weeks to prepare youth for responsible adulthood.

Teens ages 14-17 meet to discuss the following topics:

Who are you?

Goal-setting

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

Peer relationships

Conflict recognition and resolution

Youth ages 18-21 meet weekly to discuss the following topics:

• Decision-making
• Job search vs. career development
• Transition, transformation, and transference
• Developing life skills

YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The Youth Leadership Development Program seeks to develop the leadership capacity of youth in Southern Maryland.  Youth will meet once weekly for 8 weeks to develop and enhance skills in the following areas:

Communication
Youth will develop basic communication skills for effective leadership, including public speaking, and business writing.

Team work
Youth will develop skills for performing the roles of both leader and follower, building on personal and team strengths and commitment to personal expression.

Leadership Development
Youth will assess their personal leadership style, explore areas for self-improvement, and increase awareness of consequences of personal action.

Professionalism
Youth will develop skill in utilizing tact in speech, understanding protocol, appropriate dress, behavior and action for different situations, and how to positively present themselves to others.

Project Management
Youth will develop skill in goal setting, developing action steps, implementation and completion of projects and project evaluation.

Special events: 

• Community service opportunities
• Job shadowing
• Presentation to local government officials

YOUTH ON THE MOVE ~~~a youth group for all youth

Youth on the Move is a youth-led group for young people. Group members plan community services projects and implement them under the supervision of TCYSB staff. Although staff supervise the group, the youth decide on what projects they will do and they plan the projects and implement them.

TRUANCY PREVENTION

·         Great Mills High School

·         Spring Ridge Middle School

FAMILY SUPPORT

Family Connection Center

The Family Connection Center provides the following services:

• Single point of access for information on community services and resources.
• Referrals to services.
• Formal and informal assessments.
• Linkage with both traditional and non-traditional services.
• Advocacy on behalf of children and families.
• On-going coordination and support for children and families.
• Individual services and supports wrapped around children and their families’ needs.

Call the Family Connection Center if:

• You are confused about how to obtain services.
• You are unsure about what activities are available in our community.
• You are worried your child may be using drugs or alcohol.
• You think your child may be depressed.
• Your child’s behavior is becoming unmanageable.
• Your child is failing in school.

The Family ACCESS Center

Aa
Continuum of
Care by
Enhancing the
Support
System for families in St. Mary’s County

The Family ACCESS Center serves as a single point for information and referral to community based serves for children and families in St. Mary’s County.  The Family ACCESS Center is a collaborative effort between Tri-County Youth Services Bureau and the Local Management Board of St. Mary’s county to provide information to families with children with intensive needs, and to link them with the services and supports that will strengthen them.

We are building a stronger support system for children and families.

We want to help your children, or any other children who may be in need!

GOALS

• To provide information on services available in the community.
• To link families to appropriate services in a timely manner.
• To ensure continuity of care from community services.
• To support families as they work their way through service systems.
• To build on family strengths, and encourage family participation at every step.
• To reduce the number of out-of-home placements.
• To enhance the quality of life for families in St. Mary’s County.

How does this work?

• Families in need of services call the Family ACCESS Center at (301) 866-5332.
• The Family Navigator contacts the family within 24-48 hours.
• The family may come in to meet with the Family Navigator to develop a “Family Centered Plan.”
• The family is provided information and linked to community services.
• Families with access to the internet may find information at www.stmarysnetwokof-care.org.
• The Family Navigator provides case management, and follows up with the family.
• Families are invited to network with other families and community providers by attending a monthly support group, “Family Fun Night” and “Lunch Bunch.”

WHO MAY CONTACT THE FAMILY ACCESS CENTER?

• Are you seeking information on services available to children and families in St. Mary’s County?
• Are you tired of going from one agency to the next and not receiving the help you need with your child?
• Is your child having problems at school? Low grades? Absenteeism: Suspensions? Behavior?
• Are you worried that your child may be using drugs or alcohol?
• Is your child’s behavior at home becoming unmanageable?
• Are you concerned that your child is involved in criminal activity?
• Do you think that your child may be depressed?
• Are you worried that your child may be thinking of taking his or her own life?

If you checked any of these questions, or you know of a parent of caregiver who would check any of these questions, the Family ACCESS Center can help you.

Do not hesitate to call today.  We are here to help your family.

Family Fun Night

Lunch Bunch

Parent Empowerment