Boston Medical Center’s TEAM UP Program Expands Access to Mental Health Services for Children
TEAM UP welcomes the newest cohort to implement the TEAM UP model
BOSTON – The Transforming and Expanding Access to Mental Health Care Universally in Pediatrics (TEAM UP) Scaling and Sustainability Center announced the newest cohort of pediatric and family practices selected to implement its proven TEAM UP ModelTM . Based at Boston Medical Center (BMC), TEAM UP works to ensure all children and youth have equitable access to timely, high-quality behavioral healthcare to address the growing pediatric mental health crisis.
The three practices from across Massachusetts were chosen for their strong commitment to building sustainable, team-based behavioral health integration in pediatric primary care. Over the next two-and-a-half years, the TEAM UP Center will provide over $800,000 in direct funding to support these practices, expanding the reach of its innovative, evidence-informed, and trauma-responsive model.
The cohort includes:
Community Health Center of Franklin County Greater Lawrence Family Health Center
Charles River Community Health
Together, these practices provide care for over 12,000 children.
“Many children and families continue to face serious mental health challenges,” said Anita Morris, Executive Director of the TEAM UP Center. “Finding timely care can be difficult, and too often families have to navigate a complicated system on their own. The TEAM UP model brings mental health services right into pediatric primary care, ensuring they are at the ready when a child or family needs support. We’re honored to work with these three new practices and support their efforts to make sure kids have access to the care they need.”
With the support of TEAM UP, pediatric patients can access behavioral health services in their pediatric medical home, often on the same day a concern is identified. Over a 12-month period, children receiving mental health services in TEAM UP practices have shown significant improvements in mental health symptoms, quality of life, and school functioning, including fewer missed school days.
The selected practices will also join the TEAM UP Learning Community, a collaborative network offering in-depth clinical training, customized technical assistance, and data-driven support to help participating sites successfully implement and sustain integrated behavioral health.
“TEAM UP is breaking down barriers to care and ensuring children and families can get the care they need,” said Megan Bair-Merritt, MD, MSCE, Chief Scientific Officer at BMC and former director of TEAM UP’s research team. “We are proud to partner with these dedicated practices to bring behavioral health services directly into pediatric primary care.”
Since its inception in 2015, TEAM UP has supported more than 15 practices and trained more than 1,200 professionals in implementing the TEAM UP model and building capacity for integrated behavioral health care. Anchor funding for the TEAM UP Center was provided by the Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation and The Klarman Family Foundation.
To learn more about this program, visit teamupcenter.org.
About Boston Medical Center
Boston Medical Center models a new kind of excellence in healthcare, where innovative and equitable care empowers all patients to thrive. We combine world-class clinicians and cutting-edge treatments with compassionate, quality care that extends beyond our walls. As an award-winning health equity leader, our diverse clinicians and staff interrogate racial disparities in care and partner with our community to dismantle systemic inequities. And as a national leader in research and the teaching affiliate for Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, we’re driving the future of care.