G3 - Addressing Mental and Behavioral Health Needs: Collaboration is Key

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Full Description: The prevalence of mental and behavioral health conditions in children is increasing throughout the country, exacerbated by the pandemic. Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and the Children's Hospital Association (CHA) declared a national state of emergency for children's mental health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 20% of all children have a mental or behavioral health condition. In addition, children from historically marginalized communities and/or low socioeconomic status are less likely to be promptly identified and less likely to have appropriate treatment. In this session, the AAP and AMCHP will demonstrate how Title V and CYSHCN professionals can utilize the AAP Bright Futures Guidelines, 4th Edition and related Periodicity Schedule to improve screening/early detection, interventions, and outcomes for children and families experiencing mental and behavioral health conditions.

AAP and AMCHP will facilitate a panel discussion with leaders in the field who are collaborating with partners in their communities to improve screening and referral rates and to expand access to care to mental and behavioral health services. Specifically, panelists will discuss opportunities to reduce the impact of systemic racism and disparities through intentional and inclusive collaboration that is culturally and linguistically appropriate. Strategies include increasing awareness, screening, and access to care through school-based health clinics, tele-mental health, and utilizing community health workers.

As a national pediatric health promotion and disease prevention program, Bright Futures provides a framework and common language to integrate services provided by public health and health care professionals to optimize health and wellness of the child/family and community. The Bright Futures Guidelines are designed to be adapted for use in any setting (eg, public health clinic, school-based clinic, home visiting, head start).

Using the Bright Futures framework, this session will highlight the unique roles and intersections between public health/Title V, primary care, mental health providers, and community-based services with children and families at the center of the intersections. This session will leverage Bright Futures, AAP, and AMCHP resources to foster stronger collaboration with primary care, public health/Title V, families, and communities to advance common mental health priorities and related national and state priority measures.

Abbreviated Description: This workshop will demonstrate how Title V and CYSHCN professionals, mental health providers, and community-based services can utilize the Bright Futures framework to collaborate with each other to improve screening/early detection, interventions, and outcomes for children and families experiencing mental and behavioral health conditions. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from state Title V representatives and partners about how they are successfully collaborating and using Bright Futures, AAP, and AMCHP resources in their state to meet their needs and goals. Discussion will focus on advancing mental health priorities and related national and state priority measures.