Increasing Capacity of Wrap-Around Services for Underserved Children through Mobile Health Program

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A behavioral health pilot program serving one county by one LCSW was initiated in 2017. Many lessons were learned through this pilot and the program was then expanded to serve three counties, adding an additional social worker, beginning in 2020-2021. By increasing this capacity and working to meet the needs of children in rural West TN, this behavioral health program was expanded to serve ten school systems in seven counties during the 2021-2022 school year. Referrals can be initiated by a child’s school but are primarily made the Le Bonheur on the Move medical provider. Once referred, children and their families may receive behavioral health navigation services, assistance with applying for and obtaining health insurance or other social service benefits, complete psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, one-on-one counseling, collaboration with school staff, and transition of services to a long-term care provider. Outcomes from this program include improved behavior of 39% of participants in at least one of the following categories: behavior at home, behavior at school, academic performance. A focus on quality improvement led to prioritizing care coordination for our patients and families. Because of the population served and the school-based nature, care coordination is imperative in assisting and empowering caregivers to close healthcare gaps children face. The communities in rural West Tennessee have a shortage of pediatricians, pediatric medical specialists, and mental/behavioral specialists for children – even fewer of these accept Medicaid. A clinical case coordinator was added to the care team during the 2021-2022 school year. This coordinator works with caregivers to ensure timely communication of referrals for children, assisting caregivers in locating providers and securing appointments, attempting to address social determinants of health, and following up with compliance. This school year, 66% of patients have completed their appointments referred from the medical provider on Le Bonheur on the Move.

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