North Carolina Psychiatric Access Line (NC-PAL)
Grant Status: Active
Training Category: Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program (PMHCA)
Project Director(s):
Sharon Bell
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Raleigh, NC 27603
Phone: 919-707-5600
Email: Sharon.Bell@dhhs.nc.gov
Goals and Objectives:
The purpose of this project is to enhance and expand the current PMCHA-funded North Carolina Psychiatry Access Line (NC-PAL). For the project period, the NC-PAL team, in collaboration with stakeholders across North Carolina, will address four key objectives: (1) expand use of the NC-PAL telephone line by providers caring for underserved children in rural, tribal, and underserved areas with a goal of addressing health inequities; (2) expand mental health consultation and support to schools, including school-based health clinic providers; (3) extend complex consultation to support children with acute and complex needs, including those receiving care in the emergency department (ED) setting; and (4) advance health equity through trainings, communications, and technical assistance, in collaboration with the community.
Methodology:
The NCPAL program has grown as a result of initial HRSA funding and subsequent NC DHHS support. The program's primary components are designed to support clinicians serving children in primary care settings through (1) a telephone line for real-time consultation, (2) education and training on evidence-based practices in pediatric psychiatry, and (3) practice support initiatives to inform care for the most vulnerable children, such as young children and those with IDD. The receipt of competing continuation funding will allow the program to further grow in three areas: (1) targeted outreach to clinicians serving children in rural and underserved communities, (2) supports to schools and school-based health center providers and other state, local, and Tribal educational agencies, and (3) consultation related to the care of children with complex needs (e.g., children receiving psychiatric care in ED settings).
Coordination:
The NCDHHS, Division of Child and Family Well-Being, Whole Child Health Section (WCHS) is the applicant agency for this funding opportunity announcement. WCHS with its key partners, Duke University School of Medicine and other state agencies including Title V, will work collaboratively with partners such as professional societies, academic institutions, and advocacy organizations, leveraging existing resources and promoting alignment with other statewide activities.
Evaluation:
The goal of the evaluation is to measure progress of 1) NC-PAL telephone consultation line calls from providers serving underserved children in rural and tribal areas; 2) mental health consultation and support to state and local education agencies; 3) mental health consultation and support for children with acute and complex needs, including those receiving care in the emergency department; 4) advancement of health equity through trainings, communications, and technical assistance, in collaboration with the community.