Parents

Frequently Asked Questions

• How is my child referred to the New Jersey Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative Hub?

  Your child’s pediatrician has referred your child to the New Jersey Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative Hub based on the results of mental health screening, their clinical judgment, and/or the concerns you may have shared regarding your child’s social-emotional, emotional, or mental health.

• Am I obligated to use the New Jersey Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative Hub’s services?

  No, our program is entirely voluntary and optional. However, we have found that many families have appreciated the opportunity of speaking to our Hub Staff as they talk directly to our mental health professionals (i.e. Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, and child/adolescent psychologists) to discuss the concerns they are having concerning their child’s mental health and whether those concerns are red flags that need to be addressed.

• What can I expect when referred to the New Jersey Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative?

  Our empathic and knowledgeable staff of mental health professionals will contact you directly by phone to complete a clinical intake of your child to identify the concerns, evaluate the severity, and determine the appropriate level of care. The clinical intake is done over the phone and takes approximately 25 minutes.

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  Upon completion of the clinical intake, our staff will discuss the current concerns identified through the clinical intake, discuss the appropriate level of care to address those concerns, and provide recommendations to therapists and/or agencies. You can consider our services as short-term case management.

• How is this different from being given a list of therapists or agencies to contact for mental health services?

  Based on the information provided during the clinical intake, our Hub staff will provide tailored resources and recommendations based on the information shared. Our Hub staff research and contact community resources to screen them, confirm wait times, and ensure they can address the presenting concerns. We also screen community resources based on your insurance and geographic location.

• Is the information I share about my child kept confidential with the Hub staff?

  Yes, your child’s mental health information is strictly confidential. However, our Hub staff are mandated reporters and are required to break confidentiality when reports of child abuse/neglect are made or when your child is at risk of harming themselves or others.

• Is my child/adolescent’s pediatrician kept informed of the concerns and recommendations discussed?

  Yes, we are collaborating with your child’s pediatrician throughout the process to ensure they are fully informed as they will continue to be your child’s primary care provider.