MHA is diligent in our efforts to promote the importance of good mental health, to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and to serve as advocates for mental health issues in Frederick County.

• Frederick County Hotline, 301-662-2255

Confidential telephone information and referral, support and crisis intervention to callers in need 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in Frederick and Western Maryland Counties.

- Maryland's Youth Crisis Hotline (1-800-422-0009)

- Phone Friend (301-694-8255)

- Telephone Reassurance Program (301-663-0011)

- Parent Stress Line (301-662-2255)
- AIDS Hotline (301-668-7308)

• Counseling Services, 301-663-6135
  Professional, affordable counseling provided for people of all ages regardless of their ability to pay. Professional therapists provide outpatient mental health services in a safe, accepting environment in which to receive treatment.

• Child Care Choices, 301-662-4549 or 800-753-6841
  Central resource and advocate for child care concerns, phone-in referral service assisting parents looking for licensed child care, and provides ongoing training for child care professionals.

• Child Care Resource Room, 301-662-4549
  Resource rooms, operated by CCC, are available in Frederick and Carroll Counties.  Each have a lending library with books, magazines, videos and other materials on child-related topics are available for use by child care providers. A laminator, die cutter, art waxer and copier are provided.  Materials and publications on child abuse are also available.  Click for more information.

• Child Abuse Prevention Programs, 301-663-0011
  Provide conferences, training and education for children, parents and professionals. Offer custom presentations on "How to Recognize and Report Child Abuse." Increase public awareness about abuse through interagency projects.

  • CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), 301-663-0011
    Every year more than half a million abused and neglected children enter the foster care system, too many of which spend years moving from one temporary home to another. These children have no family to call their own and remain desperate for safe, permanent homes. CASA was created to ensure that the mistreatment these children once suffered at home does not continue within the foster care system. Thirty trained and judge-appointed CASA volunteers serve as voices for these children throughout the court process.  Their goal is to place the children in safe, loving homes.  

  • "Parent Power" Classes, 301-663-0011
    Frustrated?  Feeling stressed?  Want to learn how to creatively discipline your child?  The Mental Health Association offers parenting classes on a weekly basis.  Classes run for seven weeks and are currently offered on Saturday mornings.  Topics discussed include anger and stress management, positive and creative discipline, psychological, physical, and emotional development of children, and self-care.   Free child-care is offered.

  • Youth Education Outreach Program, 301-663-0011
    Custom on-site programs for schools and community groups on stress and anger management for teens and children in self-care for elementary-age children.

  • "Kids On The Block" Puppet Troupe, 301-663-0011
    Provides educational puppet programs addressing social issues children face in today's society. Programs include: child abuse prevention, drug abuse education, adjusting to divorce, mental health and cultural diversity and racial prejudice.

  • Supervised Visitation & Monitored Transfer, 301-663-0011

    The Supervised Visitation Program provides a forum for children and their non-custodial parent to develop or re-establish an ongoing familial relationship in a safe environment. Visitation takes place under the supervision of program staff and volunteers who are trained to intervene if the child’s safety is threatened or if inappropriate subjects are discussed.  Staff will terminate the visit if the safety or emotional well being of the child is considered threatened.

    The Monitored Transfer Program allows for the safe transfer of children from one parent to another with neither parent coming in contact with each other. Staff members escort the children from one parent to another in a safe neutral setting.