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.

Launching in 2024 – Behavioral Health Initiative Quality Improvement Project

In 2024, the BHI launched a yearlong Quality Improvement Project, offering a cohort of PHN practices participating in our Value-Based Care contracts the opportunity to build their behavioral health infrastructure with guidance from the BHI team. Please watch this page for updates on the project.

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. 

For members of PHN value-based contracts: we are offering exclusive Office Hours with our BHI team. Bring your questions or problems to troubleshoot with our experts.

Webinars are free and open to everyone, regardless of PHN membership. Register below for each webinar. Office hours are only available for PHN member practices that participate in our value-based care contracts. You may register for office hours here now.

Upcoming Sessions

State and Local Resources

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

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Professional Development and Practice Toolkits

Online collections of mental health resources for mental health providers.

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Anxiety

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

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Autism and Intellectual Disability

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

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Depression

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

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Early Childhood Mental Health

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

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Feeding and Eating Disorders

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

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Inattention, Hyperactivity, and Executive Functioning Problems

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

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LGBTQ+ Support

Resources for supporting LGBTQ+ youth.

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Mood Dysregulation, Disruptive Behavior, and Aggression

Online resources for pediatricians supporting youth with severe externalizing behaviors.

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Perinatal Mental Health

Provider-facing resources on perinatal mental health issues.

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Psychosis

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

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School-Based Mental Health

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

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Substance Use

Resources for supporting families facing issues with substance use.

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Suicidality, Self Harm, and Safety Planning

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

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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. 

January 10, 2024

Managing Pediatric Depression in the Outpatient Setting 2.0

Presented by: Kelly Register-Brown, M.D., and Elana Neshkes, M.D.

Future of Pediatrics 2023: Behavioral Health Initiative Overview

Presented by: Olivia Soutullo, PhD, and Lee Beers, MD, FAAP

June 6, 2022

Diagnosis and Management of Depression in the Pediatrician’s Office

Presented by: Laura Willing, MD

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.