About the Network
The Child Psychiatry Access Network launched May 18, 2020 throughout the state as part of the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium. CPAN is designed to help increase education, knowledge and skills among primary care physicians in pediatric mental health allowing for more timely access to evidence informed care for children with mild to moderate mental health disorders per recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians. CPAN has been a proven model for effective collaborative care by 35 states who have a version of it. Additionally, similar programs have been well received by both primary care providers and families.
Why do we need CPAN?
Today, one in five children have a mental health disorder but cannot get timely access to psychiatric care. There is a state and nationwide shortage of mental health care professionals.
According to 2017 data from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, most of the United States has a severe shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists.
In Texas, there are only 646 child and adolescent psychiatrists. This averages out to approximately 9 providers for every 100,000 children under the age of 18 in Texas.
How does CPAN work?
The Child Psychiatry Access Network is a FREE, statewide program providing three services in one phone call for all primary care clinicians in Texas who see children under the age of 23.
CPAN provides PCPs with:
- Assistance in finding better referrals for families searching for mental health care in their areas accounting for their location, type of insurance and the length of the waitlist to receive services.
- Guidance in developing behavior plans for common emotional and mental health problems such as bedtime challenges, school refusals and kids struggling to manage emotions or behaviors
- Consultations with a child psychiatrist within 30 minutes of their call to help with any mental health question including those about assessment, diagnosis, and implementation of treatments plans including psychopharmacology
You can reach one of our licensed behavior health specialists at (888) 901-2726 (press 2, then 1) or by texting (832) 827-8301.* Our team will assist you with your consultation right away. If you would like to consult with one of our psychiatrists, they will call you back within 30 minutes or at your preferred time. Our behavioral health specialists can send you resources or a vetted list of referral options within 24 hours.
*Please note: Our text line is used to schedule consults with our team, please do not text protected health information.
**If your patient is experiencing an emergency, please call 911 or send the patient to the nearest emergency room.
How do I sign up?
Any primary care provider in Texas (including pediatricians, family practice physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) who sees children can enroll and utilize CPAN services. Our enrollment form, sent via Trayt, is short and easy!
Call us anytime Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT at 1 (888) 901-CPAN (2726), press 2 for South and Southeast Region and 1 for BCM, or email cpaninfo@bcm.edu.
Visit our state website or “like” us on our TexasCPAN Facebook for resources and information on upcoming events such as CME credits and educational webinars.
