Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity: Youth Behavioral Health Strategy Program

In this episode of the Managed Care Cast podcast series Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity, Chris Barton, LCSW, the senior director of Integrated Systems of Care & Network Innovation at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, discusses the Youth Behavioral Health Strategy program at Horizon.

The program focuses on addressing the specific needs of youth with mental health and substance use issues through a comprehensive approach structured around 5 key pillars: prevention, early identification and intervention, whole child care, parent and support systems, and community engagement. Launched in response to the escalating youth mental health crisis, exacerbated by factors like social isolation, the program has been operational for 2 years, emphasizing both community-based and virtual resources tailored to meet the needs of youth and their supporting family members.

This includes intensive outpatient treatments, cognitive behavioral therapy, and virtual platforms like MindCare to enhance accessibility, especially for underserved populations. Horizon's initiative aims to not only mitigate immediate mental health challenges but also foster long-term support and resilience among youth and their families.

Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity episodes:

Trans and Gender Diverse Health Care

Immigrant Health

Urban Health Outreach

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