Project Description Narrative:
In the United States, the overall annual prevalence of mental disorders in children is about 21% ? and only 20% of those children receive appropriate treatment, with an even lower proportion of African-American and Latino children receiving needed care. Based on these estimated, approximately 16,000 children enrolled in Milwaukee Public Schools may be in need of mental health services, yet only 3,200 are likely to receive necessary treatment.
In response, the School Community Partnership for Mental Health (SCPMH) project leverages the ongoing efforts of Youth Mental Health Connections to promote mental health by focusing on improving access, utilization and quality of mental health services available to children in need. Through this award, project partners aim to refine and demonstrate the effectiveness of a collaborative partnership model of mental health promotion and service and to influence systems changes needed for sustainability.
Community partners: Aurora Family Service, Children's Community Health Plan, City of Milwaukee Health Department, Community Connect Health Plan, IMPACT Planning Council, Molina Healthcare, OptumHealth, Pathfinders, Rogers Memorial Hospital, Sebastian Family Psychology Practice, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Wisconsin Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Wraparound Milwaukee
Additional MCW academic partner: Chelsea Hamilton, Pediatrics