In 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Children's Hospital Association declared a national emergency for children's mental health which continues to this day. Supporting healthy mental development is a critical step in addressing the current crisis in child and adolescent mental health outcomes. Pediatricians are well-positioned to identify signs and symptoms of mental health conditions and provide appropriate care.
Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program
The Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program (PMHCA), also referred to as Child Psychiatry Access Programs (CPAPs), is a mental and behavioral helth teleconsultation resource for primary care professionals. Statewide/regional networks of pediatric mental health teams provide teleconsultation, training, technical assistance, and care coordination support services for pediatric PCPs to recognize pediatric mental and behavioral health conditions and to diagnose, treat, and refer children with such concerns within the medical home.
In Pennsylvania, the Telephonic Psychiatric Services (TiPS) program is designed to increase the availability of child psychiatry consultation teams, regionally and by phone, to primary care providers and other prescribers of psychotropic medications. This program is available for children insured by Pennsylvania's Medicaid program.
Site 1: Penn State Children's Hospital
Site 2: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Site 3: Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
The Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program (PMHCA), also referred to as Child Psychiatry Access Programs (CPAPs), is a mental and behavioral helth teleconsultation resource for primary care professionals. Statewide/regional networks of pediatric mental health teams provide teleconsultation, training, technical assistance, and care coordination support services for pediatric PCPs to recognize pediatric mental and behavioral health conditions and to diagnose, treat, and refer children with such concerns within the medical home.
In Pennsylvania, the Telephonic Psychiatric Services (TiPS) program is designed to increase the availability of child psychiatry consultation teams, regionally and by phone, to primary care providers and other prescribers of psychotropic medications. This program is available for children insured by Pennsylvania's Medicaid program.
Site 1: Penn State Children's Hospital
- Primary Contact: Dr. James Waxmonsky
- Services Offered: Telephone consulation, face-to-face/tele-health clinical consultation, interim psychotherapy, patient care coordination/resource and referral services
Site 2: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Primary Contact: Dr. Katrina Fletcher
- Services Offered: Telephone/face-to-face consultation, care coordination, training and education
Site 3: Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
- Primary Contact: Colleen D. Gianneski, LCSW
- Services Offered: Telephone consultation, face-to-face/tele-health clinical consultation, patient care coordination/resource and referral services, free education and training
Key Resources:
Common Elements Approaches: Brief Interventions for Common Pediatric Primary Care Problems
Common Elements Approaches: Brief Interventions for Common Pediatric Primary Care Problems
This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $4,160,000 with no percentage financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the US government.