Linking Primary Care to Community-Based Mental Health Resources via Family Navigation and Phone-Based Care Coordination

Authors

Leandra Godoy, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA. lgodoy@childrensnational.org.
Renee Williams, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
Lindsay Druskin, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.
Hailey Fleece, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
Sujatha Bergen, Bergen Analysis, LLC, Washington, DC, USA.
Gail Avent, Total Family Care Coalition, Washington, DC, USA.
Adelaide Robb, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
Matthew G. Biel, Georgetown University Medical Center/MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
Lawrence S. Wissow, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Lee Savio Beers, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
Melissa Long, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-24-2024

Journal

Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings

DOI

10.1007/s10880-023-09987-9

Keywords

Child psychiatry access programs; Family navigation; Mental health referrals; Primary care

Abstract

Family navigation (FN) and phone-based care coordination may improve linkages from primary care to community-based mental health referrals, but research on their differential impact is limited. This mixed-methods study compared FN and phone-based care coordination in connecting families to mental health services from primary care. Families of children (56.3% male, mean age = 10.4 years, 85.4% Black) were sequentially assigned to either receive FN through a family-run organization or phone-based coordination via the child psychiatry access program (CPAP). Caregiver-reported children's mental health improved in both groups and both groups were satisfied with services. More families in the CPAP group had appointments made or completed (87%) than families in the FN group (71%) though the difference was not statistically significant. Future research with a larger sample that matches family needs and preferences (e.g., level and type of support) with navigation services would be beneficial.

APA Citation

Godoy, Leandra; Williams, Renee; Druskin, Lindsay; Fleece, Hailey; Bergen, Sujatha; Avent, Gail; Robb, Adelaide; Biel, Matthew G.; Wissow, Lawrence S.; Beers, Lee Savio; and Long, Melissa, "Linking Primary Care to Community-Based Mental Health Resources via Family Navigation and Phone-Based Care Coordination" (2024). GW Authored Works. Paper 4128.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/4128

Department

Pediatrics