Richmond, Va., March 3, 2023 — The Virginia Mental Health Access Program (VMAP) is collaborating with 18 philanthropic foundations from throughout Virginia to provide funding for expanded REACH behavioral health trainings for primary care providers treating children, adolescents and young adults across the Commonwealth. More than $170,000 has been contributed by these foundations to address the growing need for improved access to mental health care.
The primary goal of VMAP is to help health care providers take better care of children and adolescents with mental health conditions. Through education initiatives, training, and access to specialists, primary care providers are better equipped to screen, diagnose, manage, and treat mental health, ensuring better quality of life for children and their families. VMAP offers a training program developed by the REACH Institute, adapted for Virginia primary care providers. VMAP will coordinate two REACH trainings serving up to 80 primary care providers. These intensive three-day, 16-hour interactive courses for physicians, nurse practitioners, and PAs are focused on building skills and confidence in diagnosing and treating pediatric behavioral health problems. Following course completion, they participate in bi-monthly calls with national primary care and child/adolescent psychiatry experts to address cases in their daily practices.
VMAP is administered by the Medical Society of Virginia Foundation (MSVF) through a contract with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Melina Davis, CEO of MSV & Executive Director of MSVF shared, “To have the philanthropic community come together in support of this work has been incredible. We’re hopeful that the impact of these trainings will benefit all of Virginia by improving education and resources for youth mental health.”
According to Fairfax pediatrician and VMAP Founder, Dr. Sandy Chung, “Our foundation partners responded quickly in a meaningful way to help us address pediatric behavioral health needs – needs that are growing exponentially, outpacing the availability of mental health providers. The pandemic worsened a youth mental health crisis that was already present. We now have more young people than ever before suffering from anxiety, depression, and thoughts of self-harm. With VMAP, primary care providers can be prepared with the best information to help children and their families right away.”
Participating foundations include: The Alleghany Foundation, The Annabella Jenkins Foundation, Bob and Anna Lou Schaberg Foundation, Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, Community Foundation for Greater Richmond, Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties, The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, Culpeper Wellness Foundation, Danville Regional Foundation, The Harvest Foundation, Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, Northern Virginia Health Foundation, PATH Foundation, Potomac Health Foundation, Richmond Memorial Health Foundation, Virginia Health Care Foundation, Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia, Williamsburg Health Foundation
About the Virginia Mental Health Access Program
The Virginia Mental Health Access Program (VMAP) is a statewide initiative that helps health care providers take better care of children and adolescents with mental health conditions through provider education and increasing access to child psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and care navigators. To learn more about VMAP and the REACH program, visit www.VMAP.org.
About the Medical Society of Virginia Foundation
The MSV Foundation (MSVF) advances opportunities for physicians to participate in health improvement efforts in Virginia by supporting programs and initiatives that equip physicians to best serve themselves, their patients and their communities. For more information, visit www.msv.org/foundation.
