Program will now reach primary care providers in 15 southwestern counties

Wisconsin will receive a $445,000 Pediatric Mental Health Care Access grant to expand the state’s Child Psychiatry Consultation Program (CPCP), which provides consultation and referral services to primary care providers working with children and adolescents with behavioral health concerns, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced today. Wisconsin was one of 18 states to receive the funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration.

“Mental health services are critical to the health and well-being of our youth,” said DHS Secretary Linda Seemeyer. “CPCP helps the state build a bridge between the children and adolescents who need behavioral health services and the health care professionals who can provide diagnoses and consultations on referrals.”

Working in partnership with the Medical College of Wisconsin Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, the program’s consultation and referral services will expand to Adams, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Juneau, Jefferson, Lafayette, Richland, Rock, Sauk, and Vernon counties. CPCP currently provides consultation services in 26 counties in the northern, northwestern, northeastern and southeastern Wisconsin.

The program helps primary care providers consult with child psychiatrists to aid in diagnosis and management, provides a system for referral to services, and provides education and training in mental health conditions for primary care providers.

Children’s mental health and providing easy access to psychiatric services to children are priorities of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and First Lady Tonette Walker. The Governor’s 2017-19 state budget included funding for youth mental health programs, including school initiatives, and called for eliminating waiting lists for children in need of long-term services. The First Lady is an advocate for Trauma-Informed Care, and for developing a greater understanding of the role adverse childhood experiences can play on emotional well-being.