TEAM UP — Transforming and Expanding Access to Mental Health Care Universally in Pediatrics

Our Mission

The TEAM UP Center equips primary care practices to integrate behavioral health services to ensure all children and youth have equitable access to care.

Our Vision

Our vision is that all children and families will live within a community that fosters and promotes physical and behavioral health, wellness, and resilience.

Why TEAM UP Matters

Access to behavioral health care is an ongoing challenge in Massachusetts and across the United States.

1 in 5

children experiences a mental health issue

11

years average delay in receiving proper diagnosis

~20%

of children with mental health issues receive treatment from a mental health professional

How TEAM UP Works

The TEAM UP Learning Community provides clinical training and practice transformation to help primary care practices to meet the behavioral health needs of all their patients, especially children and youth who have experienced barriers to care.

Our Values

Equity-Focused & Mission-Driven

Equity guides our work to ensure all children and youth have equitable access to behavioral health care.

Partnership & Collaboration

We build relationships and partnerships founded on trust and authentic collaboration while working with a shared purpose.

Empathetic

We listen with care, value differences, and act with compassion —willing to learn, grow, and speak up in service of our values and mission.

Curiosity & Creativity

We approach challenges with curiosity, seeking new ideas and creative solutions that advance equity with a focus on sustainable solutions.

Transformative

We commit to sustainable, systemic change that improves the lives of all children, families, and communities—creating a future grounded in wellness, resilience, and equity.

Our Commitment to Equity

TEAM UP is an initiative designed to integrate behavioral health into the pediatric medical home and increase access to behavioral health services in structurally marginalized communities. At its core, TEAM UP is committed to being part of health equity solutions and recognizes that active dismantling of systemic discrimination and incorporating antiracist practices are integral to our mission. A step that many organizations have taken toward addressing these issues is to form groups or committees that uphold a focus on diversity, equity, belonging, and accessibility. The intention is not for the group to bear the full onus of systems change; rather to think critically about existing workplace culture and practices, seek opportunities for organizational growth and development, and provide guidance therein.

In 2023, TEAM UP formed its own Diversity, Equity, Belonging, Accessibility (DEBA) workgroup. Among the steps that TEAM UP has taken to align our organization with these values are: 1) partnering with agencies that provide training in anti-racism and diversity-informed approaches, 2) establishing standing office hours for employees to discuss DEBA-related issues, 3) shifting policies and procedures around equitable hiring practices, and 4) creating a roadmap for building inclusive, antiracist, and culturally responsive care within healthcare settings, which can be accessed below.

Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Accessibility (DEBA) Toolkit

Access DEBA Toolkit

A Practical Guide for Organizational and Practitioner Change within Healthcare Systems This toolkit represents the ongoing efforts of the DEBA workgroup to respond to unique needs of different workplaces and serves as a “living document.” The TEAM UP Center website reflects the most recent version.

Want to learn more or partner with TEAM UP on our mission? Contact TEAM UP and discover how we’re transforming access to behavioral health care for children and families.

Contact TEAM UP

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