Behavioral Health Initiative

The Behavioral Health Initiative is a collaborative partnership between Children’s National Hospital and the Pediatric Health Network that aims to develop a comprehensive strategy to address mental and behavioral health needs in our regional primary care practice network, recognizing there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. We focus our efforts on two key areas that we believe will make a major impact on the mental and behavioral health of children and families in the Pediatric Health Network. These focus areas are 1) Training, Education, and Partnerships, and 2) Integrated Business Models and Care Management.

Behavioral Health Initiative Quality Improvement Project

In 2024, the BHI launched a yearlong Quality Improvement Project, offering two cohorts of PHN practices participating in our Value-Based Care contracts the opportunity to build their behavioral health infrastructure with guidance from the BHI team. We are now offering a third cohort the opportunity to participate from January 2025 to October 2025.

This yearlong Quality Improvement Project with MOC Part 4 credit is dedicated to enhancing your site’s system of integrated behavioral health care. This initiative includes complimentary consultation with esteemed Children’s National Hospital and PHN integrated behavioral health experts. Importantly, this project is crafted to suit practices whether or not behavioral health providers are currently on staff.

Selection will be based on applications and availability, ensuring a diverse and dynamic group of participants. Interested? Please apply here by December 18, 2024.

Apply Now

Behavioral Health Initiative Webinars

Join the BHI for our free, quarterly behavioral health webinars led by child and adolescent psychiatry experts. The series offers intermediate-level insights into common pediatric behavioral health issues and their management in primary care. The sessions will be conducted virtually quarterly on Wednesdays, with recordings available online after each session.

Webinars are free and open to everyone, regardless of PHN membership. Register below for each webinar.

Upcoming Sessions

Navigating Complexities of Treating Opioid Use in Adolescents

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Register here.

Resources for Providers

As part of the Behavioral Health Initiative, experts have created a comprehensive list of useful online mental and behavioral health tools that are available for primary care providers in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. See below for a collection of free resources covering a range of behavioral health topics.

Behavioral Health Resources: Start Here

These toolkits for pediatricians provide comprehensive and efficient collections of guidelines and materials for supporting child mental health in primary care practice.

State and Local Resources

Pediatric mental health resources in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

Professional Development and Practice Toolkits

Online collections of mental health resources for mental health providers.

Anxiety

Resources for supporting youth with anxiety problems including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Separation Anxiety Disorder.

Autism and Intellectual Disability

Resources for supporting youth with autism and/or intellectual disability.

Depression

Tools, including screening instruments and treatment guides, for pediatric depression.

Early Childhood Mental Health

Early childhood mental health resources for children ages birth to five.

Feeding and Eating Disorders

Resources for youth with feeding and eating problems, including sensory food aversions, ARFID, anorexia, and bulimia.

Inattention, Hyperactivity, and Executive Functioning Problems

Rating scales, treatment tools, and other resources for supporting youth with executive functioning problems including ADHD.

LGBTQ+ Support

Resources for supporting LGBTQ+ youth.

Mood Dysregulation, Disruptive Behavior, and Aggression

Online resources for pediatricians supporting youth with severe externalizing behaviors.

Perinatal Mental Health

Provider-facing resources on perinatal mental health issues.

Psychosis

Provider-facing resources on managing prodromal and early psychosis in youth.

School-Based Mental Health

Resources that support the social-emotional, psychological, behavioral, and physical health of students in school.

Substance Use

Resources for supporting families facing issues with substance use.

Suicidality, Self Harm, and Safety Planning

Resources for supporting youth with safety problems including suicidality and self-harm behaviors.

Trauma

Resources for supporting youth who have had traumatic experiences, including pain and medical trauma.

Past Presentations

All our didactic webinars are recorded, and the supplemental handouts and guidelines are available for your reference below. We hope you enjoy these materials and are able to join us in future virtual learning opportunities.

November 2024

November 13, 2024

Managing Eating Disorders in the Primary Care Setting

Presented by: Elana Neshkes, M.D.; Sarah Hornack, Ph.D.