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.
The Behavioral Health Initiative: Three Key Focus Areas
We focus our efforts on three 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) behavioral health education and training, 2) care management or coordination, and 3) integrated business models for mental health support in primary care.
This initiative will be integrated with other ongoing efforts within the PHN and will leverage expertise across our network. We plan to create sustainable solutions with measurable impacts to improve the pediatric behavioral health of our population.
If you have questions about the initiative or suggestions for content to include, please contact us at PHN@childrensnational.com.
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.
We also offered a pilot educational initiative that ran from May through August 2022, pairing clinical behavioral health education webinars with discussion-based office hours staffed by Children’s National psychiatrists. We offered lectures tailored for experienced pediatricians to build on their existing skill sets and help them meet the mental health needs of their patients. You may view those recordings below.
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.
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.
Mood Dysregulation, Disruptive Behavior, and Aggression
Online resources for pediatricians supporting youth with severe externalizing behaviors.
School-Based Mental Health
Resources that support the social-emotional, psychological, behavioral, and physical health of students in school.
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.
August 2022
August 8, 2022
Evaluation and Management of Anxiety Disorders in Pediatric Primary Care
Presented by: Laura Willing, MD
- Evaluation and Management of Anxiety Disorders in Pediatric Primary Care Presentation Slides (.pptx)
More Resources:
- Anxiety: SPACE treatment for anxiety, OCD, and related disorders
- Anxiety: Children’s National anxiety treatment options, including group therapy
- Anxiety: 2020 DC MAP / PHN ECHO Video Presentation
- Anxiety: Seattle Children’s Partnership Access Line Anxiety Care Guide
August 4, 2022
Office Hours: Pharmacology in ASD
Presented by: Kelly Register-Brown, M.D.
July 2022
July 28, 2022
Office Hours: ASD Screening and Diagnostic Tools
Presented by: Kelly Register-Brown, M.D., and Anne Inge, M.D.
July 11, 2022
Autism Spectrum Disorder Evaluation and Management in Primary Care
Presented by: Kelly Register-Brown, MD
More Resources:
- Autism: Seattle Children’s Partnership Access Line Autism Spectrum Disorders Care Guide
- Autism: Resources for Providers – Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Autism: ECHO Autism: Provides access to a hub of autism specialists to support community providers to diagnose, treat and care for ASD children and their families.
- Autism: ADEPT: Autism Distance Education Parent Training – 10-Lesson interactive, self-paced, online learning module for parents
- Autism: TRIAD Families First Program – Practical tools for caregivers to support young children (ages 2-7) newly diagnosed with ASD
- Autism: STAT: Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children
- Autism: Project Impact – Coaching program for parents of young children with ASD
- Autism: Hanen Programs for Parents
- Autism: “Help is in Your Hands” Log-in for Courses
- Autism: “Help is in Your Hands” Resource for families with young kids on the autism spectrum
- Autism Speaks Tool Kit
June 2022
June 6, 2022
Diagnosis and Management of Depression in the Pediatrician’s Office
Presented by: Laura Willing, MD
May 2022
May 12, 2022
Office Hours: Using ASQ and CSSRS Screening to Triage Care
Presented by: Kelly Register-Brown, M.D.
May 2, 2022
Safety planning and Suicide Prevention in Pediatric Primary Care
Presented by: Kelly Register-Brown, M.D.
