Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project – Improving Outcomes for Children

Having access to behavioral health care is essential to positive health outcomes for children. Primary care providers have the responsibility of identifying and treating behavioral health issues in children, but they often lack the proper training and resources. The Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project addressed this problem by providing child psychiatry consultations and specialized care coordination by telephone to over 95% of pediatric primary care physicians (PCPs) in Massachusetts.

In 2013, the project served 10,553 children. Pediatric PCPs who were enrolled in the project reported improved ability to meet the behavioral health needs of their patients. Similar projects have spread across the country, providing telephone access to behavioral health for children and PCPs in many states. Access the article, Behavioral Health Care for Children: The Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project.