Albany Med Receives Grant to Expand Pediatric Behavioral Health Services
ALBANY, N.Y., September 1, 2009— Albany Medical Center has been awarded a $242,000 grant from the New York State Health Foundation to fund the Improved Access to Behavioral Health Care project. The intent of the project is to increase access to comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for children in the Capital Region with behavioral and mental health needs.
More than 4,200 children in the three counties surrounding Albany Medical Center (Albany, Rensselaer, and Schenectady) are in need of behavioral health care, according to the most recent statistics from the United States Census Bureau. Behavioral and mental health conditions include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression and psychosocial disorders, among others. Without help, these conditions can lead to school failure, alcohol or drug abuse, family discord, violence or even suicide.
“This funding comes at a time when there is a severe gap in pediatric behavioral services due to a shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists,” said Melissa Doyle, Ph.D., clinical director of behavioral pediatrics at Albany Medical Center and assistant professor of pediatrics at Albany Medical College. “The New York State Health Foundation has afforded Albany Medical Center the incredible opportunity to build a program strong enough to address the ever increasing need for consistent, quality care for Capital Region children with behavioral and mental health conditions.”
In 2008, Albany Medical Center’s department of pediatrics established a section of pediatric behavioral health in an effort to create a foundation for future growth in this specialty area. Currently, Albany Med has two providers on staff designated to devote only a portion of their time to maintaining a caseload of nearly 300 children and adolescents.
The New York State Health Foundation grant will provide bridge funding to support the expansion of Albany Medical Center’s current services, which include diagnostic assessments, medication management, psychological testing, treatment and counseling. Funding will support a team of highly trained, experienced behavioral specialists including a developmental and behavioral pediatrician, a nurse practitioner, a clinical psychologist and two doctoral level therapists. In addition, the funding will enable the team to provide education and outreach to primary care providers and community organizations who currently struggle to care for pediatric patients with behavioral health needs due to a lack of resources, time constraints, and a limited knowledge base.
“Without proper mental health care available, children with emotional issues are unable to reach their full potential,” said James R. Knickman, President and CEO of the New York State Health Foundation. “We are confident that by expanding Albany Medical Center’s already successful program, this grant will help children and adolescents lead better lives.”
Upon completion of the one-year grant period, the section of pediatric behavioral health will be self-sustaining by providing services that can be reimbursed, Doyle said.
The New York State Health Foundation is a private Foundation dedicated to improving the health of all New Yorkers. NYSHealth has a three-part mission: expanding health insurance coverage, increasing access to high-quality health care services, and improving public and community health by educating New Yorkers about health issues and empowering communities to address them.
Albany Medical Center is northeastern New York’s only academic health sciences center. It consists of Albany Medical College, Albany Medical Center Hospital and the Albany Medical Center Foundation, Inc. Additional information about Albany Medical Center can be found at www.amc.edu.
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Kristen Cook
