Florida's Behavioral Health Capacity Project: Increasing Access to Pediatric Care

In response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, the Mental and Behavioral Health Capacity Project in Florida (MBHCP-FL) partnered with pediatric affiliates of Federally Qualified Health Clinics (FQHCs) and schools to integrate mental and behavioral health (MBH) social work services. This presentation will (i) define the role of pediatric social work within FQHCs and (ii) demonstrate collaboration with schools in order to provide parents with best practices for management of their children’s behaviors.

 Methods: Utilizing a collaborative model, MBHCP-FL placed a licensed clinical social worker, a registered clinical social worker, and advanced standing "field placement" MSW students at pediatric clinics in FQHCs. On-site, clinicians are available for warm hand-offs, immediate consultation with the physician when needed, as well as on-going therapy. In addition, a protocol has been implemented that guides patients to a social worker prior to seeing the physician. This social worker initiates assessment with the parents and schools to provide additional information that aids in establishing a diagnosis and treatment plan. Early numbers show that approximately 250 clients have been referred to MBH clinicians in a 16-month period at two different pediatric sites.

 Results: Preliminary data show that the majority of cases referred have a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Other diagnoses include: Oppositional Defiant Disorders, Learning Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Adjustment Disorders.

 Conclusions: Integration provides MBH services to a previously underserved population, while allowing innovative training for social work students.  Collaboration with both FQHCS and schools provides comprehensive MBH support to children and parents.