Given the larger context of children’s mental health, the challenge for the clinicians and staff of the WellPower’s Child and Family services program has been to address the needs of the Denver community by creating a comprehensive continuum of care “from cradle to grave.” Innovations taking place within Child and Family services are a response to this challenge, with the goal of creating efficient and effective ways to support the health and well-being of families. Here are some of the programs that have met success.

Prevention and Intervention

Infant Mental Health

Right Start for Infant Mental Health is an innovative prevention and early intervention program that supports at-risk single parents and their young children—prenatal through age 3. In contrast to more traditional approaches that address either the caregiver or the child independently, Right Start focuses on the their relationship and addresses both of them in tandem. A comprehensive, collaborative community network provides supports and services to these infants and their families, creating opportunities for healthy childhood development and family relationships.

Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation

Recently, the largest increase in the number of expulsions in the state of Colorado has been amongst 3-year-olds. Our Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation program sends clinicians into early learning centers to apply evidence-based practices that support parents, teachers, and children. More recently, the program has expanded beyond standard pre-schools into home care settings.

In the past calendar year, the program’s 4 clinicians have served 400 children in the Denver community.

Integrated Care

Innovations in integrated care are inspired by the belief that as healthcare providers, we need to enhance our ability to treat the whole person.

A recent study showed that 70% of visits to primary pediatric care are related to psycho-social concerns. In many cases, primary care physicians don’t have the resources or are not trained to address these sorts of issues. Child and Family services has recently developed partnerships with 4 pediatric primary care sites across Denver to respond to this trend. Through our partnerships with Rocky Mountain Youth Clinics and Denver Health’s Montbello and Eastside Clinics, our clinicians and a child psychiatrist are available to pediatricians to help assess possible mental health issues, provide short-term therapy, and work jointly to observe and diagnose.

Read another blog post about how the Mental Health Center is participating with other Denver community organizations to develop strategies for integrated care here.