The HSF General Endowment Fund (GEF) recently awarded grants that support clinical care program development among other initiatives. One project that was selected for funding this cycle was CARE-BHAM (Co-located Access and Resident Education for Behavioral Health Assessment and Management). This initiative is led by Terry Wall, M.D., professor in the Division of Academic General Pediatrics, to address the challenges of providing mental health services to a high-risk pediatric population which experiences many negative social determinants of health.

“Mental health problems are increasing in frequency in primary care settings, and access to services is limited, particularly for Medicaid recipients,” said Dr. Wall. “Studies have shown improved outcomes when mental health services are embedded in primary care practices.”

The grant from the GEF will provide start-up funding to create much-needed behavioral health services in the UAB Pediatric Primary Care Clinic (PCC), which also serves as the pediatric primary care training site for the UAB Pediatric Residency Program.

Psychologists will be located in PCC two half-days per week and be available for both scheduled visits and same-day consults. Behavioral health evaluations frequently utilize standardized instruments which can be administered on tablets, some of which will provide objective measures to follow over time. Psychologists will assist the pediatric team with evaluations and management, while also providing a unique opportunity for improved training of residents, many of whom will leave residency to enter careers where these skills are much needed.