173673 Responding to Rosie D and MA Behavioral Health Screening Initiative: Using a Community of Practice model to enhance school-based mental health services

Tuesday, October 28, 2008: 12:45 PM

Gail Gall, PhD (c ), MS , Graduate Program in Nursing, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Charlestown, MA
     
Beginning in January, 2008, the Rosie D vs Romney lawsuit settlement was implemented in Massachusetts. This decision mandates that behavioral health screening be provided to every child covered by Mass Health up to age 21. In MA SBHC, the majority of enrollees are covered by Medicaid and are vulnerable to inequities in receiving mental health services.

This workshop will report on a pilot program that expanded access mental health services for children in selected SBHC using the Mental Health Program Assessment Tool and a Community of Practice model. The process of adopting evidence-based screening tools as required by the Rosie D. settlement, referring students to appropriate mental health services, and monitoring utilization will be presented focusing on three key elements: stakeholder involvement, school collaboration, and quality improvement.

Learning Objectives:
Describe how the Behavioral Health Screening Initiative became public policy as a result of a court decision. Discuss the role of school-based health centers in mental health screening for children and youth. Apply the principles of the Community of Practice model to expanding access to mental health services for publicly insured children and youth.

Keywords: Access and Services, Child/Adolescent Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the evaluator of the SBHC Community of Practice Program described in the program
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: School-Based Health Centers to Enhance Child Health Access and Reduce Disparities
See more of: Community Health Planning and Policy Development