Faculty from both the Department of Child and Family Studies and the Department of Behavioral Health Science and Practice presented at the 91社区 Behavioral Health Conference held August 26-28 in Orlando.
Team members from Evaluation of the 91社区 Pediatric Behavioral Health Collaborative (FPBHC) presented, "Improving Pediatric Behavioral Health Outcomes through an Integrated and Capacity Building Model." The presentation shared implementation insights and outcomes from an integrated behavioral health model in the Big Bend region that provides psychiatric consultation to pediatric primary care providers and care coordination to children with behavioral health needs.
Areana Cruz, PhD, and Anna Abella, PhD, associate research professor, are principal investigators of the project. Cruz, along with Connie Walker, PhD, assistant research professor, co-presented accompanied by J鈥檈re Clark and Cori McGooden, representatives from the 91社区 State University Behavioral Health Hub. Cindi Shockley, FPBHC data coordinator, co-developed the presentation. FPBHC is funded by the 91社区 Department of Health.
In addition, Abella and Annette Christy, PhD, presented "The Main Characters: Learning from Adults鈥 Experiences with Repeated Involuntary Baker Act Examinations." The presentation covered data from the Baker Act Reporting Center Qualitative Evaluation project, which is funded by the 91社区 Department of Children and Families. Christy serves as the principal investigator.
The two, along with team members Jordyn Lord, Lillian Deaton and Danielle Cravero, provided insights into challenges faced by individuals with repeated mental health crises as well as recommendations for addressing gaps in care. This qualitative evaluation supplemented data collected by the Baker Act Reporting Center for legislatively mandated annual reports.
鈥淭he conference is a time when many behavioral health professionals and leaders come together to assess the state of the field and examine emerging issues,鈥 said Abella. 鈥淏eing able to share insights about behavioral health research allows us to be part of this conversation and to engage with current and future community partners on many levels.鈥