Primary Care Pediatric Practices Respond to Mental Health Needs by Providing Integrated Behavioral Health Services

Anchor Pediatrics, Comprehensive Community Action Program and Hasbro Pediatric Primary Care have successfully completed the 2-year Pediatric IBH program. At the July meeting, the Cohort 1 practices shared successes, challenges, and lessons learned. The enormous value of having an Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) Clinician on staff was a common theme among practices, especially with the increased incidence of behavioral health needs of youth and families during COVID-19. Practices also shared stories of patients benefiting from their IBH Clinician’s care. The meeting concluded with Christina Tortolani, PhD presenting on Eating Disorders.

The Cohort 1 IBH practices will continue to participate and share their sustainability efforts at the quarterly best practice sharing meetings. Practices in Cohort 2 (Coastal Bald Hill Pediatrics, Coastal Waterman Pediatrics, Hasbro Medicine Pediatrics, Northern RI Pediatrics, and Tri-County) will complete the 2-year program in April 2022. The Pediatric Primary Care IBH program is made possible through the generous support of the Rhode Island Foundation/Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI, Tufts Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare.