Last updated December 2025

Connection Learning Health System (LHS): A Collaboration to Connect Early Psychosis Research and Practice in Maryland and Pennsylvania

Principal Investigators:

Melanie Bennett, PhD

Monica E. Calkins, PhD

Overview

Connection Learning Healthcare System (CLHS) is a two-state first episode psychosis learning healthcare system representing a network of Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) programs across Pennsylvania and Maryland. It is a collaboration of investigators and service providers based at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins Medicine, the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and Sheppard Pratt, along with involvement of both states’ behavioral health systems. CSC programs in CLHS collect program evaluation data that are used to identify practice gaps and generate solutions. The goal of CLHS is to improve services for youth and young adults experiencing early psychosis and their families.

See the full list of LHS clinics

Smiling African American Mother and Daughter

Features

Programs in CLHS deliver CSC within a framework of shared decision making, personalized and flexible services, and mental health recovery.
CSC programs in CLHS collect common data elements from CSC participants, family members, and clinicians that can be accessed via data visualization tools for use in treatment planning and measurement based care.
CLHS supports data collection, analysis, feedback, and infrastructure development to promote continuous quality improvement across 20+ well-established CSC programs in Maryland and Pennsylvania serving over 500 young adult clients per year in urban, suburban, and rural settings.
Collaboration among clinicians and researchers supports identifying clinical challenges, analyzing relevant data, and applying findings to optimize practice and improve CSC implementation and outcomes.
CLHS includes active involvement of two state behavioral health systems which supports examining strategies for cross-system implementation and generalizability. This has the potential to be impactful in our region and may provide a model for CSC programs in other neighboring states.
CLHS supports research on topics related to improving CSC practice including optimizing treatment engagement, addressing cannabis use, and improving cognitive functioning.

Contact Information

Questions related to CLHS:
Melanie Bennett
Principal Investigator
Mbennett@som.umaryland.edu

Monica Calkins
Principal Investigator
mcalkins@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Brian Brandler
CLHS Coordinator
BBrandler@som.umaryland.edu
CLHS website

Questions related to CSC services in Maryland
Leslie Mohler
Maryland Early Intervention Program Central Referral Line
(877) 277-MEIP (6347)
info@MarylandEIP.com
Maryland EIP website

Questions related to CSC services in Pennsylvania:
Catherine “Cat” Conroy
Pennsylvania HeadsUp: Changing Minds, Empowering Lives
(215) 687-3429
headsuppaorg@gmail.com
Pennsylvania HeadsUp website Opens a new tab