GUIDE’s Independence Program provides psychiatric rehabilitation services to adults and transitional age youth with psychiatric disabilities at sites in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. Supervised community housing is available in both group home and apartment venues, and education and training are provided to program participants in activities of daily living, self care, medication management, and employment or job readiness skills. A supported employment service is offered.  GUIDE provides transportation and recreational and social activities. Counseling and family involvement are encouraged, and collaboration is maintained with clinic, employment, and day program service providers with whom consumers may also be involved.

Catonsville Structured Shelter

 For more than 23 years, GUIDE has operated a short-term structured shelter program for youth involved in the juvenile justice system.  Located in Baltimore County, this program provides a short-term, community-based, structured environment. Around-the-clock supervision and guidance are provided, and youth receive substance abuse screening and educational assessments. The shelter’s school provides educational services through a state approved short-term educational program. Shelter activities are based on a philosophy of balanced and restorative justice.  Staff collaborate with the Department of Juvenile Services to facilitate each youth’s long-term placement or return to his family.

Therapeutic Group Homes for Youth

GUIDE operates two therapeutic group homes for youth (one in Prince George’s County and one in Baltimore City), providing around-the-clock supervision, therapy and guidance. Youth participate in chores and other household activities, get involved in community service projects, attend school, and take part in recreational and cultural activities. As needed, medical evaluation and care are provided, and youth receive personal and family counseling. Some youth are able to obtain part-time jobs and otherwise contribute to neighborhood and community activities.

Non-Residential Programs

Youth Service Centers

Prevention, early intervention, and treatment services are available to youth and families through GUIDE's three Youth Service Centers (YSCs) located in Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Olney. YSCs offer drug and alcohol awareness education; psychoeducational groups in area schools; youth and family counseling; crisis intervention, information, and referral; tutoring; and community outreach. The YSCs’ school-based social services provide case management as well as psychoeducational and literacy programming to families in area public schools.  Similarly, and in collaboration with the Family Services Agency, Inc., the YSCs’ school-based mental health services provide diagnostic assessment and treatment to at-risk students and their families. Within these school-based services, special efforts are made to provide outreach and advocacy-based services to those new to this country. Most of the YSCs’ school and community-based sites have Spanish-speaking staff available for youth or family members for whom English is a second language.

Specialized Juvenile Justice Clinical Intervention

GUIDE's Intensive Intervention Program in Montgomery County provides counseling and outreach services to children, youth, and families who are referred through the local juvenile justice agency. Mental health and substance abuse interventions are provided, including therapy, psychoeducational classes, problem solving, and character-building activities in group, individual, and family formats. In Prince George's County, specialized intensive aftercare family intervention services are provided in collaboration with local juvenile justice authorities. GUIDE also provides a part-time clinical psychologist to the Cheltenham Youth Center.

  The SHARP Suspension Program

In collaboration with faith communities, which host the program sites, community and church volunteers, the public school system, and the Montgomery County Government, SHARP offers academic and emotional support in safe, supervised environments to students who have been suspended from school.  The program’s goals include helping participants stay current with school work, guiding them in evaluating their choices, and preparing students to return to the regular school environment.

Confidentiality, Privacy, and Non-Discrimination

Services at GUIDE are offered in a confidential and private manner in conformity with customary professional ethics and law. Services in some programs are governed by State and Federal rules and regulations, information about which is provided to participants as they become involved in various programs. Copies of GUIDE's Notice of Privacy Practices for Mental Health Services - pdf as well as Notice of Privacy Practices for Substance Abuse Services - pdf are maintained on this web site and are also available upon request. GUIDE's services and programs are offered in a nondiscriminatory manner. Other than targeting some services to particular age groups, personal circumstance, or handicapping condition, services are provided without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, disability or any other personal characteristic protected by law.