Pediatric Referral Pathways
- 10 minutes

This section provides PMHCAs with tools, workflows, and guidance to assist pediatric practices in identifying and addressing early mental health concerns. Pediatricians are often the first professionals to recognize when a child is struggling, yet many feel unprepared to address screening, referrals, or crisis management.
By using these resources, PMHCAs can collaborate directly with pediatric practices, integrating screening tools, building referral workflows, providing staff training, and offering real-time consultation. This support empowers pediatricians to confidently address youth mental health issues during office visits, reducing reliance on the EDs.
When referrals are inconsistent or unclear, children can fall through the cracks or end up in the ED unnecessarily. Clear workflows reduce care delays and strengthen trust across systems. Pediatricians play a central role in making transitions safe and successful.