Disclaimer

Healthy Minds Fairfax aims to help improve the integration of behavioral health services for children and adolescents in both public and private primary care practices that serve the children in Fairfax County. At the request of the physicians in our community, we have compiled a list of publicly available resources to help you enhance the integration and provision of pediatric behavioral health services into your practices.

This list is not exhaustive, and providers are encouraged to research and review other resources and contact behavioral health professionals for further assistance.

Primary care tools

• This American Academy of Pediatrics supplement (https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Mental-Health/Pages/Primary-Care-Tools.aspx) outlines strategies to enhance pediatric mental health at both the community level and in individual pediatric practices. The report also provides clinical algorithms to guide primary care clinicians through the process of implementing mental health care into a pediatric practice.
• This American Academy of Pediatrics mental health screening and assessment chart (https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Mental-Health/Documents/MH_ScreeningChart.pdf) is a listing of pediatric mental health screening and assessment tools, summarizing their psychometric testing properties, cultural considerations, costs, and key references. It includes tools that are proprietary and those that are freely accessible. Products are listed for informational purposes only. Document included as part of "Addressing Mental Health Concerns in Primary Care: A Clinician’s Toolkit," https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Mental-Health/Documents/MH_ScreeningChart.pdf.
• The Virginia Mental Health Access Program (VMAP) provides mental health regional consultation and interactive education for pediatricians, family practice physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
  • Meet VMAP’s Northern Regional Team, available for consultation and care navigation.  
  • Find VMAP Education for Practitioners.

Flyers and advertisements

• The American Academy of Pediatrics has two promotional advertisements, "Mom! Dad! Ask the doctor about my emotional development, too!," which are available in versions for young children and teens, both in English and Spanish (https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Mental-Health/Pages/Flyers-and-Ads.aspx)
• Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) of Northern Virginia flier on caring for your child’s mental health (https://www.scanva.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/MentalHealth_English.pdf).

Patient online self-screening tools

• Mental Health America hosts online screening tools (https://screening.mentalhealthamerica.net/screening-tools) for patients to self-administer for a variety of mental health conditions. Most tools are not pediatric specific with the exception of the “Parent Test” (Pediatric Symptom Checklist) that may be useful.

Mental health disorder descriptions

• The Centers for Disease Control has descriptions of specific types of mental health disorders among children, including symptoms, treatment and prevention.
• National Institute of Mental Health has information on specific mental health disorders, a range of related topics, and the latest mental health research.
• The Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program has information on various psychiatric syndromes (http://www.mcpap.com/Provider/Overview.aspx), including clinical reference guides, screening and diagnostic instruments and sources for parent education.

Crisis intervention services

• Healthy Minds Fairfax has area resources for crisis intervention.

Local psychiatric hospitals and day treatment programs

• Dominion Hospital in Falls Church, 703-538-2872
• Inova Children's Hospital in Falls Church, 703-776-4002
• Inova Kellar Center in Fairfax and Sterling, 703-218-8500
• Children’s National Health System – Inpatient Psychiatry Unit in Washington, D.C., 202-476-4085
• Psychiatric Institute of Washington in Washington, D.C., 202-885-5610

Non-crisis intervention services

• Healthy Minds Fairfax has information on non-emergency services and supports for children and youth with mental health or substance abuse issues.

Evidence-based interventions

• The American Academy of Pediatrics has a guide of evidence-based child and adolescent psychosocial interventions (https://www.aap.org/en-us/Documents/CRPsychosocialInterventions.pdf) for practitioners, educators, youth, and families in developing appropriate plans.

Early childhood services (0 to 5 years)

• Infant & Toddler Connection
  • Fairfax-Falls Church, 703-246-7121
  • Loudoun, 703-777-0561
  • Prince William, 703-792-7879
  • Arlington, 703-228-1640

Perinatal mental health

• Northern Virginia Family Service provides counseling and support to new mothers.
  • Fairfax County: 703-324-9729
  • City of Alexandria: 571-748-2850
  • Arlington County: 571-748-2711
  • Prince William County: 571-748-2743

Alcohol/substance use disorder

• Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board
• Fairfax County Health and Human Services Resource Guide listings

Family support services

• Northern Virginia Family Service provides multiple services available across a wide spectrum of issues affecting families.
  • If you are not able to locate a service or program, contact the main office at 571-748-2500 or email info@nvfs.org.

Mental health providers

• One of the aims of the Virginia Mental Health Access Program (VMAP) is to provide Care Navigation services. Care Navigation assists families, providers and medical professionals in navigating the mental health system, linking them to agencies that offer the appropriate services for pediatric patients. If your organization provides mental health services or supports, your participation in the comprehensive database of available services and supports is encouraged