The lack of accessible, effective behavioral health* care is among the gravest threats to the healthy development of children and adolescents. Early identification and treatment of behavioral health needs can prevent more serious problems that require a costlier response later in life.1 It is estimated that 75% of children with mental health disorders go untreated due to workforce shortages, stigma, and administrative barriers to health care coverage.2 In addition, many primary care providers (PCPs) acknowledge they lack the training, time, and connection to solutions to adequately identify and respond to behavioral health needs. Furthermore, when PCPs make referrals to community providers, their patients can experience long time lags in receipt of services or, worse, no access at all.
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