David Y. Igé | Department of Health Press Release: Department of Health Receives $ 2.2 Million Federal Grant to Address Pediatric Mental Health in Hawai’i

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) is one of 30 states to receive a federal pediatric mental health care (PMHCA) grant of $ 2.2 million, providing the ‘State $ 445,000 per year for the next five years, or $ 2.2 million in total, to address pediatric mental health care for children and youth ages 3 to 21.

The goal of the PMHCA program is to promote the integration of behavioral health into pediatric primary care using telehealth, which has increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic to curb the spread of the disease and alleviate the burden on hospitals and doctors AA – Government offices.

“During this critical time, children and youth continue to struggle with mental health issues under the unusual circumstances of COVID-19,” said Danette Wong Tomiyasu, deputy director of the Health Resources Administration at DOH. “This grant will help our state directly overcome some of the barriers to pediatric mental health care that Hawaiian families face. “

According to University of Hawaii Annual Report 2020, the pandemic has exacerbated the shortage of primary care doctors and psychiatrists in the state. Telehealth is a solution to help fill the gap in health care providers and achieve health equity related to racial, ethnic and geographic disparities in access to care.

The Department of Family Health Services at DOH, where the grant will be housed, is exploring how best to implement the PMHCA program at state and community levels. This may include pediatric mental health care teams that will provide teleconsultation, training, technical assistance and care coordination to pediatric primary care providers to diagnose, treat and refer children with behavioral health issues.

The PMHCA grant is part of the American Rescue Plan Act of the Federal Administration of Health Resources and Services (HRSA). Learn more about MSM Access to pediatric mental health care program.

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