Massachusetts has successfully demonstrated the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project (MCPAP), a program that provides timely telephonic psychiatric and clinical guidance to primary care providers (PCPs) treating children with mental health problems. The program allows enrolled PCPs to get assistance for any child in their care. On the basis of an initial phone consultation, MCPAP may provide an in-person psychiatric or clinical assessment, transitional therapy, and/or facilitated linkage to community resources. Six regional teams based in academic medical centers reach out to and support enrolled PCPs in their catchment area. The program has enrolled most primary care practices, representing an estimated 95 percent of all youth in the state, and has high rates of PCP participation. PCPs report higher ratings of their ability to serve children with mental health problems as a result of the program.
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