The Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project (MCPAP) Service Report for FY23 and FY24 outlines the program's efforts to enhance care coordination for children with behavioral health needs. The report, mandated by item 5042-0000 of the Department of Mental Health's FY2024 budget, provides an overview of MCPAP's care coordination activities, the number of psychiatric consultations and referrals made, and recommendations for improving access to specialists. The report highlights a decrease in MCPAP utilization in FY24 compared to FY23, although it remains higher than pre-pandemic levels. The program has adapted to the changing landscape by integrating its resource and referral services with the Behavioral Health Help Line, which began operations in January 2023.

Additionally, the report emphasizes the importance of increasing the number of specialists available to accept referrals, particularly for children with complex conditions facing long wait times for psychiatric care. MCPAP has been working to empower primary care physicians (PCPs) to provide resource and referral support directly to their patients, resulting in a decrease in requests for MCPAP's assistance in this area. The report also discusses MCPAP's collaborations with various health organizations to address specific needs, such as substance use among teens and support for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Overall, the MCPAP continues to play a crucial role in the Commonwealth's behavioral health system by facilitating timely access to mental health services for children and adolescents.