•  
  •  
 

Abstract

Project Reach was established to deliver evidence-based mental healthcare services to children and adults affected by Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath. Through Project Reach, an innovative multi-component assessment and treatment service is utilized to identify and treat in integrated healthcare settings both children and adults exhibiting significant behavioral health concerns in Houston. The aim is to provide sustainable, integrated mental health services through primary care and school-based settings to post-Harvey affected individuals whose emotional needs remain unmet. This paper describes the design and implementation of Project Reach as well as special considerations for implementation. The overall goal of Project Reach is to form a platform for expanding integrated services for those affected by Harvey that will maximize behavioral health outcomes while reducing cost and improving access.

Key Take Away Points

  • Project Reach aims to provide a sustainable model for integrated behavioral health service delivery for large numbers of significantly affected individuals and families following a community-wide disaster, as well as explore examples of primary care consultation and education.
  • The successful implementation of this program will help those affected by Hurricane Harvey and form the platform for expanding integrated services within communities that will ultimately maximize behavioral health outcomes while reducing cost and improving access.

Author Biography

Lynn M. Hana, Sandra L. Cepeda, and Catherine C. Christian are Research Coordinators in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Sophie C. Schneider is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Ashley M. Shaw is a Postdoctoral Clinical Research Fellow in the Child and Adolescent Mood and Anxiety Treatment (CAMAT) program at the University of Miami. Dr. Jill Ehrenreich-May is an Associate Professor in the Child Division of the Department of Psychology at the University of Miami and the Director of the Child and Adolescent Mood and Anxiety Treatment (CAMAT) program at the University. Dr. Alison Salloum is a Professor in the University of South Florida School of Social Work and has a joint appointment in the Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Laurel L. Williams is an Associate Professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and the Director of Residency Training for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Asim A. Shah is the Executive Vice Chair and Professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Department of Community and Family Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Eric A. Storch is a Professor and McIngvale Presidential Endowed Chair in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. He also serves as vice chair and head of Psychology at the College.

Acknowledgements

Funding for this study was provided by the Greater Houston Community Foundation. We acknowledge the contributions of Ms. Stacy Baynham, Dr. Lawrence Chiu, Ms. Cynthia Connor, Dr. Michelle Davis, Ms. Roxanne Deams, Dr. Syed Iqbal, Dr. Natalia Kazakevich, Ms. Alana Stanley, Dr. Beenish Syed, Mr. Frank Velasquez, and Dr. Lorna Wilks. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Eric A. Storch, Ph.D., Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, 1977 Butler Blvd, Suite 4-400, Houston TX 77030. Email: eric.storch@bcm.edu.

Download

Share

COinS