The Child Psychiatry Access Program (CPAP)Model

“Child Psychiatry Access Programs (CPAPs) are a model of care

wherein pediatric primary care clinicians receive training and support in treating their patients with regard to mental health and substance use disorders via in-person, phone, or online case based consultation from off-site mental health professionals.”

(Dvir et al.,2023)

The Goal:

Increase pediatric primary care clinicians’ comfort and skills in managing mild to moderate mental health and substance use disorders.

Federal funding has led to the expansion of the child psychiatry access program model. Legislation in 2018, 2021, and 2022 led to the creation of Pediatric Mental Health Access Programs (PMHCA) administered by the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA).

To learn more about the PMHCA Grant Program click here

CPAPs/PMHCAs

EMPOWER

primary care clinicians to screen, assess, and treat mild to moderate mental health disorders.

SUPPORT

effective integration of behavioral health services (in-person/tele-health) in the pediatric primary care practice.

OPTIMIZE

the limited workforce supply of child and adolescent psychiatrists, reserving them for patients with complex mental health needs.

REDUCE

existing health disparities in racial, ethnic, geographic, rural, and underserved groups through targeted programing and rigorous reporting and evaluation.

How do PMHCA/CPAPs work?

4 KEY

ELEMENTS

  • Tele-Consultation

    On-demand, real-time (often <30 minutes) telephonic consultation by expert children’s mental professionals (child and adolescent psychiatrists, psychologists and other licensed mental health professionals)

  • Direct Consultation

    Expedited, one-time direct psychiatric evaluation (in-person/virtual)

  • Resource & Referral

    Connection to community resources and referrals to specialty services provided to family and/or calling clinician

  • Education & Training

    Formal educational programs to support screening, diagnosis, and management of mental health and substance use disorders