A $1 million grant has been awarded to the Carroll County Health Department to improve the health and well-being of young children with behavioral health needs. The grant is provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Carroll County Times reports,

Health Department Director of Quality Improvement and Prevention Dawn Brown said the grant will fund Early Screening, decision Making, Assessment, Referral and Treatment (E-SMART) for Children and Families.

“E-SMART will allow us to further expand that work that has been happening within the early childhood community for the last five years,” Brown said. “Specifically, we will be able to develop our system to include services and supports that are family-driven and developmentally appropriate while also enhancing the skills and competencies of our early childhood workforce to better serve those with complex behavioral health needs. The Carroll County Health Department will continue to partner with community stakeholders to support the implementation of E-SMART in our community.”

The grant will “enhance and expand the early childhood system of care by implementing a model that bridges early childhood infrastructure and supports with quality care coordination and services to meet the needs of young children experiencing serious emotional disturbances and their families,” Brown said.

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