It is strongly encouraged for children and youth to receive a mental health evaluation if they are suspected of being victims of abuse or neglect. Please connect with your jurisdiction's CAC to access trauma-informed mental health resources.
The Mental Health Program (MHP) at the Center for Hope (CFH) provides trauma-focused, culturally humble, evidence-based outpatient mental health treatment to individuals experiencing trauma and other Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) within Baltimore City. Mental health services are designed to meet the needs of victims of child abuse, victims of sexual assault, child witnesses to homicides, child survivors of homicide victims and individuals who have experienced or witnessed community violence. Please refer to the information below for specific program descriptions.
Services are provided in person and virtually through HIPAA compliant platforms. We offer individual therapy, therapeutic family support, case management and round-trip transportation to therapy appointments. Services are available during regular business hours: Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., although each clinician manages their schedule according to client needs. Referrals for mental health services come from Center for Hope programs, from the larger Life Bridge Health Violence Intervention Division and from community partners. To refer an individual for services, please review the service descriptions below.
Child victims of Abuse & Neglect and Immediate family members
(Secondary victims) of the direct child victim if treatment determined medically necessary by MHP Clinician; adult is admitted only if the direct child victim is also enrolled in the MHP at CFH. Ages: In person: 3+/Virtual: 5+. Incident must have occurred in Baltimore City and the individual must live in Baltimore City. Treatment is needed if the victim has been sexually abused, physically abused or emotionally abused.
Excludes:
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Children who have experienced only Interpersonal Violence (IPV); if they experience IPV they must also experience sexual abuse or neglect.
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Survivors of incidents that occurred outside of Baltimore City.
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Individuals that live outside of Baltimore City.
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Adults who are secondary victims due to their child’s experience but have the child enrolled in treatment outside of MHP. CFH prioritizes treatment for adults whose children were the primary victims and are also enrolled in MHP services.
It’s important to note that services are free, not insurance based, income eligibility is not required and it’s available to undocumented individuals. Bilingual clinicians are available.
Adult Victims of sexual assault and Adults who have experienced or witnessed community violence
Adult survivors of homicide victims that are aged 19+. The incident must have occurred in Baltimore City and the individual must live in West Baltimore City. Zip codes: 21223, 21229, 21216, 21217.
Treatment is needed due to the following trauma sources: non-fatal community violence such as physical/sexual assault with or without a weapon, non-fatal community violence due to gender identification, survivor of non-fatal crime in the community.
Excludes:
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Adult survivors of homicide victims Survivors of interpersonal violence.
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Survivors of incidents that occurred outside of Baltimore City.
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Individuals that live outside of Baltimore City.
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Individuals 18 and younger.
Services are free, are not insurance based, income eligibility is not required and it’s available to undocumented individuals. Bilingual clinicians are available.
Child & Adolescent survivors of homicide victims
Individuals within the age range who lost a loved one due to homicide, ages 5-18. The homicide must occur in Baltimore City and the individual must live in West Baltimore City. Zip codes: 21223, 21229, 21216, 21217.
Excludes:
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Children who need grief and bereavement therapy for reasons other than homicide, such as COVID-19 or chronic illness.
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Survivors of incidents that occurred outside of Baltimore City.
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Individuals that live outside of West Baltimore City.
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Individuals 19 and older.
Services are free, are not insurance based, income eligibility is not required, and it’s available to undocumented individuals. Available only in the English language.