The Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) http://www.nh.alabama.gov and Children’s of Alabama http://childrensal.org were awarded $2,009,323 from HRSA to establish a pediatric telemental health network to serve children and their families living in rural parts of the State.
The five year grant will create a network of providers to establish the “Alabama Pediatric Telemental Health Network” which is going to use evidence-based telehealth methods to train, educate, and equip rural primary care providers,
The goal is to enable the primary care providers in rural communities support early identification, diagnosis, treatment, and if necessary, refer children and adolescents with behavioral health conditions in a timely manner for additional help or assistance. This grant names the ADMH as the lead agency and Children’s of Alabama as the primary implementation partner.
“The need for mental and behavioral health guidance is a growing issue among children in Alabama and Nationwide,” said Commissioner of ADMH. “This grant enables us to provide preventive care that can offer home and assistance for families in the state.”
In the second year of the project, an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant will be incorporated within the network of mental health providers to help pediatricians address social, emotional, and behavioral issues specifically needed by infants and young children under the age of five.