1 00:00:00,235 --> 00:00:02,205 - Prepare to dive into the forefront 2 00:00:02,225 --> 00:00:05,525 of healthcare innovation at our 14th annual meeting coming 3 00:00:05,545 --> 00:00:06,645 up on April 8th 4 00:00:06,645 --> 00:00:10,765 through 11th at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago, with thousands 5 00:00:10,765 --> 00:00:13,965 of industry leaders converging over four dynamic days 6 00:00:13,985 --> 00:00:16,805 of discussions on crucial topics from health IT 7 00:00:17,185 --> 00:00:18,685 to executive leadership. 8 00:00:18,995 --> 00:00:21,325 It's where the future of healthcare takes shape. 9 00:00:21,865 --> 00:00:24,085 We can't wait to connect with you in person 10 00:00:24,305 --> 00:00:26,685 and engage in these important conversations. 11 00:00:27,515 --> 00:00:29,805 - This is Chris. So with the Becker's Healthcare Podcast, 12 00:00:30,665 --> 00:00:31,885 I'm thrilled to be joined by Dr. 13 00:00:31,985 --> 00:00:33,445 Arturo Brito, president 14 00:00:33,445 --> 00:00:35,725 and Chief Executive Officer of the Children's Health Fund. 15 00:00:36,625 --> 00:00:38,045 Arturo, thank you for joining us today. 16 00:00:38,735 --> 00:00:40,685 - Thank you for having me, Chris. Pleasure to be here. 17 00:00:42,555 --> 00:00:44,735 - Arturo, would you please introduce yourself 18 00:00:44,735 --> 00:00:46,295 and tell us a bit more about your background? 19 00:00:47,595 --> 00:00:49,645 - Yeah, so I'm, I'm a community pediatrician 20 00:00:49,715 --> 00:00:51,165 with a population health focus. 21 00:00:51,605 --> 00:00:53,485 I received my medical degree from the University 22 00:00:53,485 --> 00:00:54,685 of South Florida College of Medicine. 23 00:00:55,505 --> 00:00:58,205 Uh, completed my pediatric residency, um, 24 00:00:58,465 --> 00:00:59,485 at Emory University 25 00:00:59,485 --> 00:01:01,245 and affiliated hospitals in Atlanta, Georgia, 26 00:01:01,315 --> 00:01:03,605 including at Grady Memorial Hospital, 27 00:01:03,625 --> 00:01:06,205 the Safety Net Hospital, uh, for Atlanta. 28 00:01:07,125 --> 00:01:10,645 I then went on as I was working as a community pediatrician 29 00:01:10,745 --> 00:01:11,885 to receive my master's 30 00:01:11,885 --> 00:01:13,325 of public health degree from the University 31 00:01:13,325 --> 00:01:14,525 of Miami Miller School of Medicine. 32 00:01:15,465 --> 00:01:16,765 As you said, I'm president 33 00:01:16,765 --> 00:01:18,485 and CEO of Children's Health Fund. 34 00:01:18,685 --> 00:01:21,805 I rejoined the fund back in September of 2021, 35 00:01:21,965 --> 00:01:24,125 a little over two and a half years ago, um, 36 00:01:24,225 --> 00:01:27,285 having previously served of between 2006 37 00:01:27,285 --> 00:01:29,045 and 2011 as Chief Medical Officer. 38 00:01:29,865 --> 00:01:31,925 Uh, and those approximately 10 years in 39 00:01:31,925 --> 00:01:34,245 between those two roles of the current one. 40 00:01:34,245 --> 00:01:37,525 And the previous one, I served as deputy commissioner 41 00:01:37,525 --> 00:01:38,805 and lead physician, uh, 42 00:01:38,905 --> 00:01:40,645 for the New Jersey Department of Health. 43 00:01:41,115 --> 00:01:43,365 Then went on to become the executive director 44 00:01:43,365 --> 00:01:44,485 of the Nicholson Foundation, 45 00:01:44,805 --> 00:01:47,805 a family foundation focused on early childhood 46 00:01:48,265 --> 00:01:50,125 and healthcare in New Jersey. 47 00:01:50,945 --> 00:01:52,805 Um, so my clinical 48 00:01:52,825 --> 00:01:56,685 and leadership career has always been focused on underserved 49 00:01:56,685 --> 00:01:58,565 populations and healthcare equity. 50 00:01:59,225 --> 00:02:01,005 Um, immediately after residency, 51 00:02:01,445 --> 00:02:03,005 I worked in southwestern Alaska 52 00:02:03,545 --> 00:02:06,205 for the Indian Health Service, providing care to UIC people, 53 00:02:06,765 --> 00:02:08,445 a native Alaskan population, 54 00:02:08,445 --> 00:02:10,445 living in ro remote areas of the state. 55 00:02:10,895 --> 00:02:13,605 Quite an experience I've learned a lot there about 56 00:02:13,715 --> 00:02:17,165 what it means to be a marginalized population, what it means 57 00:02:17,165 --> 00:02:20,005 to live in a remote part of the country, that access 58 00:02:20,005 --> 00:02:21,445 to healthcare is a big challenge. 59 00:02:21,985 --> 00:02:24,925 You know, after that, I spent the next 11 years 60 00:02:25,265 --> 00:02:26,285 as the medical director 61 00:02:26,285 --> 00:02:27,805 of the South Florida Children's Health Project. 62 00:02:28,435 --> 00:02:30,765 This is one of the early partnering program 63 00:02:31,185 --> 00:02:32,325 of Children's Health Fund, 64 00:02:32,385 --> 00:02:34,165 and a continues to be one 65 00:02:34,265 --> 00:02:38,205 of now 24 programs in 15 states, Puerto Rico 66 00:02:38,205 --> 00:02:41,365 and Washington dc um, that form our national network. 67 00:02:42,105 --> 00:02:44,165 Um, throughout our network, we provide care 68 00:02:44,165 --> 00:02:46,325 to more than a hundred thousand, uh, individual children 69 00:02:46,855 --> 00:02:50,965 every single year through nearly 500,000 clinical visits 70 00:02:51,545 --> 00:02:53,405 on mobile clinics via telehealth. 71 00:02:53,545 --> 00:02:54,965 And at more than 400 schools 72 00:02:54,985 --> 00:02:59,185 and other community sites, four out of five kids served 73 00:02:59,985 --> 00:03:01,805 by our national network are black 74 00:03:01,805 --> 00:03:04,485 or brown, all live in low income households. 75 00:03:05,185 --> 00:03:07,045 Um, so like many of our other partners, 76 00:03:07,045 --> 00:03:10,445 when I was in South Florida, we had a custom design, 77 00:03:10,625 --> 00:03:12,765 38 foot long mobile medical clinic, 78 00:03:13,405 --> 00:03:15,485 a doctor's office on wheels, if you will. 79 00:03:16,065 --> 00:03:17,725 Um, this was my medical office. 80 00:03:18,085 --> 00:03:20,525 I worked alongside mental health providers, social workers, 81 00:03:21,105 --> 00:03:22,485 nurses, nutritionists 82 00:03:22,545 --> 00:03:25,325 and others, uh, to provide comprehensive healthcare 83 00:03:25,465 --> 00:03:28,405 for children growing up in under-resourced communities 84 00:03:28,405 --> 00:03:29,605 throughout Miami-Dade County. 85 00:03:30,185 --> 00:03:34,165 It was also a great opportunity to teach medical students 86 00:03:34,165 --> 00:03:37,645 and residents who rotated on that, uh, uh, mobile clinic 87 00:03:38,225 --> 00:03:40,885 and throughout our sites on a regular basis. 88 00:03:41,065 --> 00:03:43,565 And this is University of Miami's, uh, teaching program 89 00:03:44,145 --> 00:03:45,525 for community pediatrics. 90 00:03:46,225 --> 00:03:48,325 Um, so my diverse leadership 91 00:03:48,345 --> 00:03:52,285 and clinical experience, um, helped me in my current role 92 00:03:52,345 --> 00:03:54,005 as president and CEO of CHF. 93 00:03:55,115 --> 00:03:59,045 It's really about carrying forward a more than 36 year 94 00:03:59,045 --> 00:04:03,325 history of chfs values about focus on 95 00:04:03,345 --> 00:04:06,605 under-resourced communities and marginalized populations. 96 00:04:07,145 --> 00:04:09,365 What's most important to us is that we believe 97 00:04:09,365 --> 00:04:11,605 that every child in this country, 98 00:04:12,135 --> 00:04:14,805 every child in the United States, deserves quality. 99 00:04:15,185 --> 00:04:16,925 And I emphasize the word quality here, right? 100 00:04:17,015 --> 00:04:18,855 Healthcare, you know, 101 00:04:18,875 --> 00:04:22,095 our current strategy builds on the more than 36 year 102 00:04:22,095 --> 00:04:23,175 history of innovation. 103 00:04:23,875 --> 00:04:27,095 Um, the use of a mobile clinics as a pediatric medical home, 104 00:04:27,275 --> 00:04:31,295 for example, was unique in 1987 when we began, 105 00:04:31,795 --> 00:04:32,975 and when we established 106 00:04:32,975 --> 00:04:35,055 and used the first one to serve children 107 00:04:35,075 --> 00:04:36,855 and families living in squalor 108 00:04:36,875 --> 00:04:38,655 and deplorable conditions in homeless 109 00:04:38,655 --> 00:04:39,855 shelters throughout New York City. 110 00:04:40,515 --> 00:04:43,655 We continue that work today throughout, um, uh, 111 00:04:43,715 --> 00:04:46,375 New York City, uh, in those mobile clinics, uh, 112 00:04:46,375 --> 00:04:47,815 through our flagship pro program, 113 00:04:47,835 --> 00:04:49,095 the Bronx Health Collective, 114 00:04:49,395 --> 00:04:52,015 who also have a state-of-the-Art, uh, 115 00:04:52,025 --> 00:04:55,095 fixed site clinic in the South Bronx, uh, hunts Point, one 116 00:04:55,095 --> 00:04:56,935 of the poorest congressional districts in the country. 117 00:04:57,235 --> 00:04:58,495 We were also at the forefront 118 00:04:58,495 --> 00:05:01,855 of developing electronic health records as early as 1989 119 00:05:02,355 --> 00:05:05,615 to ensure that healthcare services were comprehensive 120 00:05:05,875 --> 00:05:07,855 and included social drivers of health. 121 00:05:08,835 --> 00:05:10,175 We didn't call it that back then, 122 00:05:10,175 --> 00:05:12,215 but they were social drivers of health, such 123 00:05:12,215 --> 00:05:13,735 as addressing food insecurity, 124 00:05:13,735 --> 00:05:15,415 transportation needs, and housing. 125 00:05:16,505 --> 00:05:19,055 We've also developed the award-winning education materials 126 00:05:19,325 --> 00:05:22,015 such as our Asthma guide that make it easier for parents 127 00:05:22,015 --> 00:05:24,295 and physicians alike to follow evidence-based 128 00:05:24,855 --> 00:05:28,055 national guidelines to better control this chronic disease 129 00:05:28,595 --> 00:05:30,175 and help children stay active 130 00:05:30,435 --> 00:05:32,335 and out of emergency rooms and hospitals. 131 00:05:33,035 --> 00:05:36,815 In short, because our focus has always been about working in 132 00:05:36,815 --> 00:05:38,775 under-resourced communities, working 133 00:05:38,995 --> 00:05:40,815 to serve underserved populations 134 00:05:41,475 --> 00:05:43,815 and marginalized populations, we've been able 135 00:05:43,815 --> 00:05:48,135 to really create this niche of really ensuring that 136 00:05:48,195 --> 00:05:50,095 as many kids in this country as possible, 137 00:05:50,095 --> 00:05:51,775 getting the quality healthcare they they need 138 00:05:51,775 --> 00:05:53,015 and deserve to thrive and succeed. 139 00:05:53,755 --> 00:05:57,765 Um, in 2000, uh, 14, to continue our innovations, 140 00:05:58,385 --> 00:06:01,205 we developed and established healthy and Ready to learn. 141 00:06:01,315 --> 00:06:04,205 This is a program that addresses health barriers 142 00:06:04,225 --> 00:06:05,725 to learning within the school setting. 143 00:06:06,265 --> 00:06:08,525 Um, I would give a little more detail about that later 144 00:06:08,525 --> 00:06:10,565 because it's one of our goals this year to grow 145 00:06:10,565 --> 00:06:12,845 that program, not only within New York City 146 00:06:12,845 --> 00:06:14,005 where it currently exists, but 147 00:06:14,005 --> 00:06:16,045 outside New York City and into other states. 148 00:06:16,865 --> 00:06:18,325 Um, and just a few years ago, 149 00:06:18,385 --> 00:06:20,525 we developed our community health equity 150 00:06:20,525 --> 00:06:21,925 and engagement roundtables. 151 00:06:22,515 --> 00:06:27,245 This is all about really listening to community members, uh, 152 00:06:27,355 --> 00:06:30,445 including youth, not just necessarily patients, 153 00:06:30,705 --> 00:06:33,805 but community members who really understand, have a pulse 154 00:06:33,825 --> 00:06:35,445 of what's going on in their community 155 00:06:36,025 --> 00:06:40,445 and to drive programs that serve their needs. 156 00:06:41,025 --> 00:06:43,885 Um, and it's, everybody talks about, uh, equity 157 00:06:43,885 --> 00:06:46,085 and everybody talks about creating a voice. 158 00:06:46,705 --> 00:06:48,645 Uh, we're actually walking the walk here 159 00:06:48,915 --> 00:06:50,125 with our Chairs program. 160 00:06:50,905 --> 00:06:54,165 Uh, so I often get asked, you know, 161 00:06:54,165 --> 00:06:55,485 what drives me to do this work? 162 00:06:55,865 --> 00:06:58,925 Why have I, I spent my entire professional career focused 163 00:06:59,585 --> 00:07:01,885 on children living in under-resourced communities. 164 00:07:02,275 --> 00:07:06,285 Well, I'm an immigrant myself from Cuba VI Nicaragua, 165 00:07:06,555 --> 00:07:08,685 initially Columbus, Ohio, if you can imagine that. 166 00:07:08,715 --> 00:07:10,245 Back then, we were one of the first 167 00:07:10,825 --> 00:07:12,885 Latino families in that part of the country. 168 00:07:13,385 --> 00:07:16,205 Uh, when I was seven years old, you know, I saw firsthand 169 00:07:16,205 --> 00:07:18,005 what it's like to be discriminated against 170 00:07:18,545 --> 00:07:20,205 not having access to quality of healthcare. 171 00:07:20,585 --> 00:07:24,125 And I watch how my parents had to work, as they say, twice 172 00:07:24,125 --> 00:07:25,325 as hard to get half as far. 173 00:07:25,825 --> 00:07:29,365 And I also want to make sure I build on that to make sure 174 00:07:29,485 --> 00:07:32,165 that all children in this country have the 175 00:07:32,165 --> 00:07:33,485 opportunity to thrive and succeed. 176 00:07:35,465 --> 00:07:38,325 - Arturo, given the vast scope of your career already, 177 00:07:38,465 --> 00:07:40,285 and who knows what's, what's ahead really, 178 00:07:40,585 --> 00:07:43,565 and given the scope of what the Children's Health Run wants 179 00:07:43,565 --> 00:07:45,485 to do, it certainly seems like they have the right person 180 00:07:45,585 --> 00:07:46,885 in in that position. 181 00:07:47,665 --> 00:07:50,725 Uh, you touched on some of the organization's goals. 182 00:07:50,825 --> 00:07:53,205 Uh, would you mind right now getting into the top three 183 00:07:53,205 --> 00:07:54,845 goals that you have for just this year? 184 00:07:55,935 --> 00:07:59,425 - Yeah, yeah. So, first off, okay, uh, we want 185 00:07:59,425 --> 00:08:01,425 to increase the number of children served 186 00:08:01,525 --> 00:08:02,665 by our national network. 187 00:08:03,445 --> 00:08:06,705 Um, eventually we wanna get to at least 150,000 children, 188 00:08:07,125 --> 00:08:08,145 uh, annually. 189 00:08:08,145 --> 00:08:10,945 Right now, this last year, we're at 118,000. 190 00:08:11,325 --> 00:08:13,145 So over the next few years, we wanna increase that. 191 00:08:13,165 --> 00:08:14,905 So our goal is to get more resources 192 00:08:15,445 --> 00:08:20,265 so we can expand our network, both, uh, adding new partners, 193 00:08:20,285 --> 00:08:22,025 but also giving more resources 194 00:08:22,025 --> 00:08:23,785 to our current partners so they can see more children. 195 00:08:24,085 --> 00:08:27,425 The need is definitely out there. Okay. So that's one goal. 196 00:08:27,565 --> 00:08:31,305 The other one is we know there's a huge mental health crisis 197 00:08:31,375 --> 00:08:32,505 with our youth and children. 198 00:08:32,615 --> 00:08:34,105 There's no question about that. 199 00:08:34,335 --> 00:08:37,305 There's a lot of evidence and, and, and data around that. 200 00:08:37,685 --> 00:08:40,505 So, we wanna expand our integrative mental health services 201 00:08:40,855 --> 00:08:42,945 through our mobile clinics, through telehealth 202 00:08:43,005 --> 00:08:44,745 and at school-based centers that, uh, 203 00:08:44,745 --> 00:08:46,705 our national network partners, uh, serve. 204 00:08:47,365 --> 00:08:49,945 Um, and like I said, we wanna duplicate our Healthy 205 00:08:49,965 --> 00:08:51,745 and Ready to Learn program to school 206 00:08:51,985 --> 00:08:53,185 districts beyond New York City. 207 00:08:53,205 --> 00:08:54,585 So, I wanna talk a little bit about that program. 208 00:08:54,685 --> 00:08:58,285 If, if it's okay, Chris, um, you know, this unique program, 209 00:08:58,985 --> 00:09:00,405 it, it, it, and I wanna talk about it 210 00:09:00,405 --> 00:09:02,845 because it's being requested from our partners 211 00:09:02,845 --> 00:09:04,405 and others from around the country about 212 00:09:04,425 --> 00:09:06,085 how they can duplicate it. 213 00:09:06,115 --> 00:09:07,485 Well, our Healthy 214 00:09:07,485 --> 00:09:11,805 and Relearn program is built around addressing health 215 00:09:12,325 --> 00:09:14,365 barriers to learning within the school setting. 216 00:09:14,915 --> 00:09:17,365 What this means is if a child has asthma 217 00:09:17,545 --> 00:09:18,765 that's uncontrolled, 218 00:09:19,655 --> 00:09:21,275 we make sure they're getting their medication 219 00:09:21,275 --> 00:09:22,315 and have the right provider 220 00:09:22,775 --> 00:09:26,235 so they can focus more in school, stay outta the hospital 221 00:09:26,575 --> 00:09:28,355 and not miss so many school days. 222 00:09:28,515 --> 00:09:30,235 'cause we know, uh, that's a big reason 223 00:09:30,235 --> 00:09:31,315 kids miss, uh, school. 224 00:09:31,315 --> 00:09:33,515 Another reason kids miss school a lot is 225 00:09:33,515 --> 00:09:34,515 because of dental issues. 226 00:09:35,055 --> 00:09:36,995 Te uh, they, they have problems with, uh, 227 00:09:37,065 --> 00:09:40,515 oral health issues like, uh, cavities that are causing a lot 228 00:09:40,515 --> 00:09:42,235 of pain, abscesses, et cetera. 229 00:09:42,815 --> 00:09:46,835 So we wanna make sure that kids have dental services, 230 00:09:47,015 --> 00:09:48,155 and I don't mean just screening, 231 00:09:48,155 --> 00:09:49,275 but actually taking care 232 00:09:49,275 --> 00:09:51,595 of the dental problems in the school setting, 233 00:09:51,675 --> 00:09:53,555 particularly in the poorer parts 234 00:09:53,555 --> 00:09:55,395 of the country under-resourced communities. 235 00:09:55,855 --> 00:09:57,835 Um, in this case, in New York City, right now, 236 00:09:57,885 --> 00:09:59,435 we're in the Bronx, the South Bronx, 237 00:09:59,775 --> 00:10:00,995 but we want to go elsewhere, 238 00:10:00,995 --> 00:10:03,795 and we're looking at, uh, expanding it in New Jersey 239 00:10:03,855 --> 00:10:05,075 and maybe other parts of the country. 240 00:10:05,415 --> 00:10:08,755 But we believe this program has a big chance 241 00:10:09,655 --> 00:10:12,635 of becoming something that could be a model program 242 00:10:13,215 --> 00:10:16,795 to tie in to bridge, if you will, the health 243 00:10:16,935 --> 00:10:18,235 and educational sectors 244 00:10:18,235 --> 00:10:19,995 that are often live in their own silos. 245 00:10:21,495 --> 00:10:23,755 And among the biggest issues is something I already 246 00:10:23,755 --> 00:10:25,835 mentioned about the growing mental health crisis. 247 00:10:26,855 --> 00:10:29,315 We need more mental health providers, 248 00:10:29,495 --> 00:10:31,835 we need more mental health services, uh, whether 249 00:10:31,835 --> 00:10:35,395 through telehealth or in school settings at the school sites 250 00:10:35,395 --> 00:10:36,955 where healthy and ready to learn are, 251 00:10:37,025 --> 00:10:39,715 this is the biggest request we get from the teachers, 252 00:10:39,715 --> 00:10:41,475 the principal, and other school personnel, 253 00:10:41,505 --> 00:10:44,355 because a lot of the kids that we see have a lot 254 00:10:44,355 --> 00:10:46,515 of trauma in their lives that has been exacerbated 255 00:10:46,515 --> 00:10:49,915 during the COVID-19 pandemic and surrounding social issues. 256 00:10:51,055 --> 00:10:52,275 Um, and then the, 257 00:10:52,415 --> 00:10:54,275 so those are the three goals, just to reiterate. 258 00:10:54,275 --> 00:10:55,315 So we wanna increase the number 259 00:10:55,315 --> 00:10:56,795 of children served by our national network. 260 00:10:57,535 --> 00:11:00,115 We wanna expand our integrative mental health services, 261 00:11:00,695 --> 00:11:03,235 and we want to take our healthy and regular Learn program 262 00:11:03,815 --> 00:11:06,875 and replicate it in school districts outside 263 00:11:06,875 --> 00:11:08,155 of New York City and throughout the country. 264 00:11:08,975 --> 00:11:11,195 Um, we're looking for the resources to do that. 265 00:11:11,855 --> 00:11:13,355 So it all takes resources, 266 00:11:13,355 --> 00:11:16,195 but in the end, those resources will pay dividends 267 00:11:16,195 --> 00:11:17,755 because the kids will be healthier. 268 00:11:17,815 --> 00:11:19,035 So the communities are healthier, 269 00:11:19,175 --> 00:11:20,995 and our country as a whole is healthier. 270 00:11:22,225 --> 00:11:24,975 - Thank you, Arturo. I'm sure anyone who has a child 271 00:11:25,035 --> 00:11:27,055 or is simply interested in the mental health 272 00:11:27,075 --> 00:11:30,095 of their community is behind the goals that you guys have. 273 00:11:30,675 --> 00:11:33,255 Uh, you mentioned a little bit about the partnerships 274 00:11:33,255 --> 00:11:35,895 that the Children's Health Fund has. 275 00:11:36,275 --> 00:11:39,495 So at this time, um, I'd like you, if you don't mind, uh, 276 00:11:39,495 --> 00:11:42,175 to get into the main benefits of these partnerships as far 277 00:11:42,175 --> 00:11:43,615 as your organization is concerned. 278 00:11:44,315 --> 00:11:46,575 And how can leaders of other organizations 279 00:11:47,355 --> 00:11:49,495 see if they're a good fit and maybe work 280 00:11:49,495 --> 00:11:50,535 with the Children's Health Fund? 281 00:11:51,725 --> 00:11:52,975 - Yeah, so I, 282 00:11:53,165 --> 00:11:55,245 I learned a lot about this when I was at the Nicholas 283 00:11:55,245 --> 00:11:59,125 Foundation, and we, we worked hard, um, 284 00:11:59,785 --> 00:12:02,485 in partnering with the government sector, 285 00:12:02,625 --> 00:12:05,765 New Jersey State Government in that case, you know, 286 00:12:05,855 --> 00:12:08,885 government has a broader reach than the private sector. 287 00:12:09,345 --> 00:12:11,165 So that's the advantage of working with government. 288 00:12:11,185 --> 00:12:13,285 You may have a great idea, you may have a great program, 289 00:12:13,905 --> 00:12:16,245 but you can reach a lot more people by partnering 290 00:12:16,315 --> 00:12:18,605 with the right government agency at the right time. 291 00:12:19,265 --> 00:12:22,485 The private sector can bring innovation and more depth 292 00:12:22,595 --> 00:12:25,165 because government often doesn't have the 293 00:12:25,165 --> 00:12:26,205 personnel be able to do that. 294 00:12:26,665 --> 00:12:29,405 Um, so they have the broader reach. 295 00:12:29,475 --> 00:12:32,725 Private sector can bring the innovative ideas and depth. 296 00:12:33,435 --> 00:12:35,015 Um, so when design right, 297 00:12:35,285 --> 00:12:37,215 they can compliment each other, right? 298 00:12:37,555 --> 00:12:40,135 Having worked in both sectors, I understand 299 00:12:40,165 --> 00:12:41,615 that it takes a certain patience 300 00:12:41,635 --> 00:12:43,375 and strategic thinking to make it work. 301 00:12:43,955 --> 00:12:46,855 Um, so when I was the Nicholas Foundation, uh, 302 00:12:46,955 --> 00:12:49,615 we worked not only with the government sector, 303 00:12:49,915 --> 00:12:53,415 but we also work with other private, um, not-for-profits 304 00:12:54,275 --> 00:12:58,455 to unite our resources to do 305 00:12:59,015 --> 00:13:02,175 demonstration models that would lead to, uh, 306 00:13:02,175 --> 00:13:03,295 changes in systems. 307 00:13:03,675 --> 00:13:06,335 In fact, that the Nicholson Foundation are, tagline wise, 308 00:13:06,915 --> 00:13:08,535 change in systems, changing lives. 309 00:13:08,595 --> 00:13:09,615 We wanted to change systems, 310 00:13:10,115 --> 00:13:11,975 so our investments would have long-term 311 00:13:12,595 --> 00:13:13,815 and sustainable impact. 312 00:13:14,295 --> 00:13:15,775 I can give you a couple of examples. 313 00:13:15,955 --> 00:13:18,415 One of the things we did, we did a demonstration model on 314 00:13:18,475 --> 00:13:20,975 the value Okay. 315 00:13:21,075 --> 00:13:23,215 Of community health workers for the state of New Jersey. 316 00:13:24,035 --> 00:13:27,495 Um, and what that led to was eventually 317 00:13:27,495 --> 00:13:28,535 after a two year, uh, 318 00:13:28,815 --> 00:13:32,375 demonstration model alongside other foundations, was that 319 00:13:32,965 --> 00:13:35,415 like we have seen around the country, uh, 320 00:13:35,465 --> 00:13:37,695 there was an improvement in healthcare outcomes. 321 00:13:38,465 --> 00:13:41,055 There was a decreasing of disparities 322 00:13:41,195 --> 00:13:43,735 and lowering of healthcare costs by the, 323 00:13:43,765 --> 00:13:45,255 with the use of community health workers. 324 00:13:45,995 --> 00:13:48,055 And eventually, uh, New Jersey, like a lot 325 00:13:48,055 --> 00:13:51,495 of other states have done, moved to, uh, reimbursing 326 00:13:51,495 --> 00:13:54,055 through Medicaid for community health workers forming 327 00:13:54,475 --> 00:13:57,415 and establishing a community health worker training 328 00:13:57,445 --> 00:14:00,535 institute, um, that would really follow 329 00:14:00,805 --> 00:14:01,895 what we did together there. 330 00:14:02,035 --> 00:14:03,335 So that's one example. 331 00:14:03,995 --> 00:14:08,455 So again, the potential impact of that institute 332 00:14:09,155 --> 00:14:10,255 is, you know, population 333 00:14:10,255 --> 00:14:11,575 of New Jersey, about 9 million people. 334 00:14:11,675 --> 00:14:13,855 It could potentially reach, you know, millions 335 00:14:13,855 --> 00:14:15,175 of those people, particularly those 336 00:14:15,245 --> 00:14:17,615 that are on the lower income level 337 00:14:17,755 --> 00:14:19,015 and that need those services. 338 00:14:19,795 --> 00:14:21,215 Um, so what I would say 339 00:14:21,375 --> 00:14:23,255 to somebody about other organizations, 340 00:14:23,435 --> 00:14:28,025 and we actually put together, um, a, a, a guide on this, 341 00:14:28,045 --> 00:14:30,105 if you will, at the Nicholson Foundation, glad to share 342 00:14:30,105 --> 00:14:33,225 with anybody if they want to contact us about how 343 00:14:33,225 --> 00:14:34,825 to know if you're ready to do this 344 00:14:34,825 --> 00:14:35,905 and how you can assess it, 345 00:14:36,125 --> 00:14:38,385 and how do you know if the government entity is ready? 346 00:14:39,095 --> 00:14:40,665 Well, I think you have 347 00:14:40,665 --> 00:14:42,265 to have both partners interested in making 348 00:14:42,265 --> 00:14:43,305 that long-term impact 349 00:14:43,925 --> 00:14:46,825 and ready to let go of, of a lot 350 00:14:46,845 --> 00:14:49,185 of their preconceived notions about each other 351 00:14:49,925 --> 00:14:53,205 and figure out what strengths each has in that case. 352 00:14:53,265 --> 00:14:55,485 But again, generally speaking, government has 353 00:14:56,365 --> 00:14:58,125 a broader reach that can reach more people, 354 00:14:58,705 --> 00:15:02,685 and the private sector can bring the innovation, uh, to them 355 00:15:03,225 --> 00:15:05,525 and working together, they can really, uh, 356 00:15:05,525 --> 00:15:06,565 have substantial impact. 357 00:15:06,835 --> 00:15:08,845 What I would also say in Encourage is 358 00:15:09,345 --> 00:15:12,165 for not-for-profits out there that are writing the checks 359 00:15:12,185 --> 00:15:15,765 for organizations, um, to do the work is to work 360 00:15:15,835 --> 00:15:17,325 with other not-for-profits, 361 00:15:17,325 --> 00:15:19,085 because that makes it easier for government too. 362 00:15:19,505 --> 00:15:23,365 If they have one body of people working together as opposed 363 00:15:23,385 --> 00:15:26,085 to five different entities coming to them at different times 364 00:15:26,475 --> 00:15:29,445 with similar ideas or even the same idea. 365 00:15:29,635 --> 00:15:31,205 It's a lot easier just to work with one, 366 00:15:31,205 --> 00:15:34,205 because people in government are generally very, very busy 367 00:15:34,465 --> 00:15:37,485 and o overworked and understaffed. 368 00:15:37,625 --> 00:15:39,845 So I would just suggest that, so to know if you're ready, 369 00:15:39,845 --> 00:15:41,765 if you're ready to make those changes and understand, 370 00:15:42,025 --> 00:15:43,885 and these things take time, they take a few years, 371 00:15:43,885 --> 00:15:45,205 you're not gonna get the same result. 372 00:15:45,585 --> 00:15:48,445 But eventually that result will be longer lasting 373 00:15:48,705 --> 00:15:51,645 and have more depth, uh, and a broader reach. 374 00:15:53,325 --> 00:15:54,855 - That definitely makes sense. Arturo, 375 00:15:54,855 --> 00:15:57,735 and I'm glad you mentioned the innovation elements of this. 376 00:15:57,765 --> 00:15:59,175 That leads me to my next question, 377 00:15:59,635 --> 00:16:01,495 and that is, in terms of technology, I mean, 378 00:16:01,695 --> 00:16:05,545 everyone these days inundated with AI or virtual reality 379 00:16:05,565 --> 00:16:07,425 or telehealth or anything else 380 00:16:07,815 --> 00:16:10,585 that is just flooding the industry at the moment. 381 00:16:10,845 --> 00:16:15,505 So what technology excites you most in terms of helping, 382 00:16:15,885 --> 00:16:19,025 uh, assist communities and the organization's mission? 383 00:16:19,735 --> 00:16:21,585 - Yeah, so there's a lot going on, 384 00:16:21,965 --> 00:16:24,505 and I'm gonna say this about Children's Health Fund, 385 00:16:24,765 --> 00:16:27,665 and we've had a long history of being at the forefront 386 00:16:28,085 --> 00:16:32,625 of using technology for under-resourced communities 387 00:16:32,625 --> 00:16:33,825 and underserved populations. 388 00:16:34,095 --> 00:16:35,465 It's really important that this didn't 389 00:16:35,465 --> 00:16:36,585 just start when I arrived. 390 00:16:37,045 --> 00:16:39,185 In fact, when I was in South Florida Children's Health 391 00:16:39,185 --> 00:16:42,905 Project, serving as a medical director working there, uh, 392 00:16:43,225 --> 00:16:45,305 I recall that, uh, children's Health Fund, 393 00:16:45,315 --> 00:16:46,865 think about this on a mobile clinic, 394 00:16:47,415 --> 00:16:50,905 they had developed these third iteration, I believe, 395 00:16:51,405 --> 00:16:53,065 of an electronic health record 396 00:16:53,415 --> 00:16:55,945 that we could use on mobile clinics, even in areas 397 00:16:56,035 --> 00:16:57,905 where access to wifi was limited. 398 00:16:58,605 --> 00:17:01,065 Um, it was as effective as it could be, 399 00:17:01,065 --> 00:17:03,345 but they were at the beginning, 1989, 400 00:17:03,365 --> 00:17:05,425 as far back developing their first set 401 00:17:05,425 --> 00:17:06,665 of electronic health records. 402 00:17:07,485 --> 00:17:10,425 And the reason CHF has been at the forefront is 403 00:17:10,425 --> 00:17:13,785 because of our focus on populations that frankly, a lot 404 00:17:13,785 --> 00:17:15,745 of people have forgotten about or don't care about. 405 00:17:16,525 --> 00:17:18,745 Um, and we needed those tools. 406 00:17:18,885 --> 00:17:21,345 You can't carry around paper charts on mobile 407 00:17:21,345 --> 00:17:22,705 clinics, you, there's a limit. 408 00:17:23,125 --> 00:17:26,225 So that was one of the, um, reasons that that was developed, 409 00:17:26,225 --> 00:17:28,585 but also because they, the type of people that come to work 410 00:17:28,585 --> 00:17:30,905 for Children's Health Fund, like our current, uh, 411 00:17:30,905 --> 00:17:33,705 vice president, uh, of our innovation lab, 412 00:17:33,705 --> 00:17:36,585 something we developed last year, uh, Jen Pruitt, um, 413 00:17:36,965 --> 00:17:40,185 you know, these are people that have it in their heart, uh, 414 00:17:40,245 --> 00:17:43,185 to do the right thing for every child in this country 415 00:17:43,605 --> 00:17:45,625 and also have, have the brain. 416 00:17:45,675 --> 00:17:48,145 She's wicked smart and very creative about 417 00:17:48,245 --> 00:17:50,325 how we approach things, uh, often 418 00:17:50,325 --> 00:17:52,645 with limited resources in the communities we serve. 419 00:17:53,265 --> 00:17:55,645 So, to answer your questions, I'll just give you some 420 00:17:55,645 --> 00:17:58,445 of the potential, uh, projects of our innovation lab 421 00:17:58,465 --> 00:17:59,645 or things we're working on 422 00:17:59,645 --> 00:18:02,005 and looking for the resources to work on, um, 423 00:18:02,025 --> 00:18:03,285 health education apps. 424 00:18:03,515 --> 00:18:06,045 Like I mentioned before, we have award-winning education 425 00:18:06,325 --> 00:18:08,085 materials that we've developed over the years, 426 00:18:08,385 --> 00:18:09,445 and they're award-winning 427 00:18:09,445 --> 00:18:13,245 because they are written at a level that anybody, anybody, 428 00:18:13,275 --> 00:18:16,285 even me as a pediatrician who I've read all the, uh, 429 00:18:16,565 --> 00:18:18,405 national guidelines, my goodness, you know, 430 00:18:18,405 --> 00:18:20,325 I've used these materials forever since I worked on 431 00:18:20,325 --> 00:18:21,445 that mobile clinic in South Florida. 432 00:18:21,785 --> 00:18:24,365 It just makes it so much easier, less complicated, 433 00:18:24,365 --> 00:18:25,685 and more direct to make sure 434 00:18:25,685 --> 00:18:27,765 that kids are getting the asthma care they need and deserve. 435 00:18:28,145 --> 00:18:30,965 We want to take, uh, those, these, 436 00:18:31,015 --> 00:18:33,205 those education materials and turn 'em into apps. 437 00:18:33,315 --> 00:18:36,325 Just about anybody now has access to smartphones 438 00:18:36,325 --> 00:18:38,925 or a phone that they can easily look at an app so 439 00:18:38,925 --> 00:18:40,565 that parents and their pediatrician, 440 00:18:40,565 --> 00:18:41,925 their child's pediatricians alike, 441 00:18:42,065 --> 00:18:44,285 can follow along together, uh, 442 00:18:44,345 --> 00:18:47,285 and make sure that the children are receiving their, um, 443 00:18:47,745 --> 00:18:50,125 you know, the medications they need to control their asthma, 444 00:18:50,125 --> 00:18:51,565 keep 'em outta the hospital, keep 'em healthy, 445 00:18:51,565 --> 00:18:52,725 and keep 'em in school, right? 446 00:18:53,185 --> 00:18:54,445 Um, so that's one example. 447 00:18:54,445 --> 00:18:56,605 There's other health education apps we'd like to develop. 448 00:18:57,595 --> 00:18:59,685 What we're interested in morning thing is this digital 449 00:18:59,745 --> 00:19:03,285 divide that I worry, worry, uh, you know, you talk about ai, 450 00:19:04,205 --> 00:19:06,385 but who's gonna benefit from AI most 451 00:19:06,445 --> 00:19:08,025 and who is gonna bear the burden? 452 00:19:08,345 --> 00:19:11,105 I worry, like a lot of things have happened historically 453 00:19:11,575 --> 00:19:14,905 that certain populations reap the benefits of advance 454 00:19:15,085 --> 00:19:18,065 of technology and other populations actually don't read the 455 00:19:18,225 --> 00:19:20,185 benefits, and even worse, they often bear the burden. 456 00:19:20,925 --> 00:19:25,465 We wanna make sure that the digital divide, we have, um, 457 00:19:26,045 --> 00:19:30,785 we do our part to make sure our, uh, service sites are 458 00:19:31,765 --> 00:19:35,145 not, uh, excluded from any of the benefits that AI has 459 00:19:35,145 --> 00:19:37,945 to offer or any other technological advances. 460 00:19:38,485 --> 00:19:40,705 So one example is with our Healthy 461 00:19:40,725 --> 00:19:43,625 and Ready to Learn, uh, program that I talked about 462 00:19:43,625 --> 00:19:46,465 before, we've also created a resource 463 00:19:46,485 --> 00:19:49,625 and training center to make, uh, quality materials, uh, 464 00:19:49,625 --> 00:19:52,545 available to educators, health staff, 465 00:19:52,605 --> 00:19:56,665 and school health advocates, even in schools we're not, uh, 466 00:19:57,075 --> 00:20:00,305 physically in, uh, so that we can support their work 467 00:20:00,305 --> 00:20:02,185 and ensure students are healthy and ready to learn. 468 00:20:02,645 --> 00:20:04,505 Um, we're gonna, we want to continue 469 00:20:04,505 --> 00:20:06,305 to develop this resource center, um, 470 00:20:06,325 --> 00:20:09,425 adding new target audiences topics and interactive tools. 471 00:20:10,005 --> 00:20:13,745 Um, so we also wanna produce a national child health 472 00:20:14,145 --> 00:20:17,185 resource and training center, um, along those same lines 473 00:20:17,295 --> 00:20:19,385 that this will provide a platform for materials 474 00:20:19,385 --> 00:20:21,105 and information sharing, uh, 475 00:20:21,125 --> 00:20:22,985 across disciplinary collaboration 476 00:20:23,285 --> 00:20:27,105 and other interactive tools, um, directed though 477 00:20:27,165 --> 00:20:30,145 to physicians and residents serving 478 00:20:30,245 --> 00:20:31,705 under-resourced communities. 479 00:20:32,085 --> 00:20:34,225 So, um, those are the main things we're 480 00:20:34,225 --> 00:20:35,305 focused on for this year. 481 00:20:35,405 --> 00:20:37,985 But I believe this innovation lab, you know, 482 00:20:37,985 --> 00:20:40,865 the sky's the limit on it, uh, with the right resources 483 00:20:41,205 --> 00:20:43,825 and with our leadership that we have here and, um, 484 00:20:44,085 --> 00:20:45,385 and the dedication that we have 485 00:20:45,445 --> 00:20:46,665 for the populations we serve. 486 00:20:48,155 --> 00:20:49,455 - Uh, thank you, Arturo. It just seems 487 00:20:49,455 --> 00:20:51,895 so simple the way you put it in terms of, Hey, 488 00:20:51,915 --> 00:20:53,735 here's this healthy and ready to learn program 489 00:20:54,235 --> 00:20:56,775 so we can keep kids, give them the very basics, right? 490 00:20:56,945 --> 00:20:59,365 Let's keep them in the classroom. 491 00:20:59,425 --> 00:21:01,565 And sometimes it's more difficult than it might seem, 492 00:21:01,565 --> 00:21:02,805 certainly in these communities 493 00:21:02,805 --> 00:21:04,845 that you're trying to help the most. 494 00:21:05,645 --> 00:21:07,085 Les you did mention mental health, 495 00:21:07,185 --> 00:21:09,045 and certainly that is on everyone's mind. 496 00:21:09,095 --> 00:21:10,805 Don't real pun intended in that way. 497 00:21:11,225 --> 00:21:14,085 Um, but yeah, if you don't mind getting into a little bit 498 00:21:14,085 --> 00:21:15,165 about, about 499 00:21:15,225 --> 00:21:17,125 how Children's Health Fund can go about 500 00:21:17,125 --> 00:21:18,325 addressing that in communities. 501 00:21:19,475 --> 00:21:21,445 - Yeah. So we know we have a huge mental health 502 00:21:21,445 --> 00:21:22,645 crisis, okay? 503 00:21:23,225 --> 00:21:25,805 We also know that, um, 504 00:21:26,035 --> 00:21:27,405 even if you have all the money in the world, 505 00:21:27,405 --> 00:21:29,805 there aren't enough right now enough, uh, 506 00:21:30,065 --> 00:21:32,485 mental health providers for every community in this country. 507 00:21:33,425 --> 00:21:37,605 Um, the problem is even more staggering for, uh, 508 00:21:37,605 --> 00:21:38,845 marginalized communities, 509 00:21:38,845 --> 00:21:41,925 marginalized populations like the L-G-B-T-Q, uh, children 510 00:21:41,945 --> 00:21:44,485 and youth in our country, uh, that we have a number 511 00:21:44,485 --> 00:21:45,685 of programs that are serving them. 512 00:21:46,425 --> 00:21:49,485 Um, so there's, there's a couple things I wanna say about 513 00:21:49,985 --> 00:21:52,765 how improving communities mental health, um, 514 00:21:53,265 --> 00:21:54,325 you know, what we can do. 515 00:21:54,665 --> 00:21:56,325 And I also wanna talk about advocacy 516 00:21:56,325 --> 00:21:59,165 because I haven't talked about how we translate, uh, 517 00:21:59,165 --> 00:22:03,125 lessons learned on the ground into, um, informed policy 518 00:22:03,185 --> 00:22:04,805 and advocacy to make the right changes. 519 00:22:04,985 --> 00:22:09,325 So, let, let, let's let, let me start first with what we do 520 00:22:09,325 --> 00:22:10,485 through our national network 521 00:22:11,145 --> 00:22:12,685 and through our healthy and learning program. 522 00:22:12,945 --> 00:22:15,325 So we bring mental health 523 00:22:15,345 --> 00:22:18,565 and other services directly into communities with the use 524 00:22:18,565 --> 00:22:20,405 of mobile clinics, telehealth, 525 00:22:20,585 --> 00:22:22,245 and through school-based clinics. 526 00:22:22,795 --> 00:22:27,685 Okay? Um, we're also advocating for change at these clinics 527 00:22:28,225 --> 00:22:31,565 and in schools in particular, uh, for 528 00:22:32,385 --> 00:22:33,565 states around the country. 529 00:22:33,665 --> 00:22:38,645 And some have moved in this direction to adopt, uh, 530 00:22:38,645 --> 00:22:42,285 what is referred to as the, uh, CMS 531 00:22:42,385 --> 00:22:43,565 or the Centers for Medicare 532 00:22:43,565 --> 00:22:45,445 and Medicaid Services Administration, 533 00:22:45,465 --> 00:22:48,925 the Federal Administration, uh, free care rule reversal. 534 00:22:49,035 --> 00:22:53,005 What this refers to is back in 2014, CMS, um, 535 00:22:53,275 --> 00:22:57,725 allowed now, uh, for the reimbursement 536 00:22:58,305 --> 00:23:02,185 of services, clinical, medical, 537 00:23:02,685 --> 00:23:06,505 mental health, and others in the school settings to expand 538 00:23:06,605 --> 00:23:10,265 beyond just children on individualized education, uh, 539 00:23:10,265 --> 00:23:11,705 programs or plans, right? 540 00:23:12,365 --> 00:23:15,705 Um, in the past, before 2014, uh, 541 00:23:15,985 --> 00:23:18,985 CMS would only allow you to get reimbursed 542 00:23:18,985 --> 00:23:22,305 as a provider in a school setting to, um, 543 00:23:22,685 --> 00:23:24,105 for children who were on those plans. 544 00:23:24,125 --> 00:23:26,905 And that's about 18% very state to state, 545 00:23:26,905 --> 00:23:29,505 but about one in five children, uh, that are on that plan. 546 00:23:29,565 --> 00:23:32,625 So basically, you were excluding four outta five, uh, 547 00:23:32,655 --> 00:23:36,545 kids from getting me needed services like mental health, 548 00:23:36,835 --> 00:23:38,785 which is one of the biggest requests we get. 549 00:23:39,635 --> 00:23:42,815 And since 2014, they said, oh, 550 00:23:42,915 --> 00:23:44,695 now you can, uh, change that. 551 00:23:44,695 --> 00:23:45,765 But it's up to each state. 552 00:23:46,515 --> 00:23:50,545 We're working right now in New York to, uh, 553 00:23:50,695 --> 00:23:53,385 have the Medicaid office adopt that change. 554 00:23:54,205 --> 00:23:57,425 Uh, we're like to go to other states like New Jersey 555 00:23:57,425 --> 00:23:58,705 that haven't adopted that change. 556 00:23:59,545 --> 00:24:01,025 A little over 20, I believe at 557 00:24:01,025 --> 00:24:02,385 to this date, have adopted that. 558 00:24:02,385 --> 00:24:03,865 But there's a lot of states that haven't, 559 00:24:03,865 --> 00:24:08,425 and we believe that's the starting point for widening. 560 00:24:09,045 --> 00:24:12,345 Um, the access to mental health services 561 00:24:12,485 --> 00:24:15,145 for kids they spend most of their day in school, why not, 562 00:24:15,525 --> 00:24:17,825 uh, allow providers to go there to do that? 563 00:24:18,005 --> 00:24:21,505 And it should be available both in person and telehealth. 564 00:24:22,035 --> 00:24:23,665 Telehealth is a great way 565 00:24:24,005 --> 00:24:27,185 to reach more kids when you have a diminished number 566 00:24:27,185 --> 00:24:28,625 of mental health providers at the moment. 567 00:24:29,365 --> 00:24:33,745 Um, and in youth in particular, they are teen, preteen, 568 00:24:34,095 --> 00:24:35,665 teen and, and young adults. 569 00:24:36,015 --> 00:24:37,225 It's been shown over 570 00:24:37,225 --> 00:24:39,785 and over to be widely effective, just as effective in many, 571 00:24:39,785 --> 00:24:41,705 most cases, as in-person. 572 00:24:42,485 --> 00:24:46,305 Um, I also wanna say something else about the message 573 00:24:46,615 --> 00:24:47,985 that we send communities 574 00:24:48,005 --> 00:24:49,825 by bringing our mobile clinics into them. 575 00:24:50,735 --> 00:24:53,595 Um, you know, one thing that's anecdotal 576 00:24:53,735 --> 00:24:58,275 and something that I wish, uh, we could quantify, 577 00:24:59,095 --> 00:25:03,935 uh, better, um, is that there's a subtlety 578 00:25:04,915 --> 00:25:08,535 to the use of mobile clinics as a very intimate way 579 00:25:08,535 --> 00:25:11,215 of providing healthcare in a community. 580 00:25:12,055 --> 00:25:14,475 It forces you as a provider to really understand 581 00:25:14,655 --> 00:25:16,795 and listen to those community needs, something 582 00:25:16,795 --> 00:25:18,715 that we truly value here. 583 00:25:19,495 --> 00:25:21,315 It also sends a message to the school 584 00:25:21,615 --> 00:25:24,675 or other community sites you park at, that 585 00:25:25,255 --> 00:25:27,475 you really do care about that community, 586 00:25:27,535 --> 00:25:30,155 and it really helps build relationships, particularly with 587 00:25:30,795 --> 00:25:33,315 teachers, um, and other staff at schools. 588 00:25:34,255 --> 00:25:36,715 So, in a subtle way, it also helps 589 00:25:37,425 --> 00:25:39,315 with the mental health aspect 590 00:25:39,415 --> 00:25:40,835 of the needs of that community. 591 00:25:41,655 --> 00:25:45,155 Now, having said that, we need to figure out as a country 592 00:25:45,535 --> 00:25:48,645 how we're gonna have more providers of mental health. 593 00:25:48,705 --> 00:25:51,245 And we, on our advocacy side, you know, 594 00:25:51,525 --> 00:25:53,485 bringing services directly to community sites with the use 595 00:25:53,485 --> 00:25:56,285 of mobile clinics, with telehealth or at schools 596 00:25:56,345 --> 00:25:58,965 and advocating for more mental health, uh, 597 00:25:59,525 --> 00:26:01,285 services in school settings, particularly, 598 00:26:01,865 --> 00:26:05,485 is gonna go a long way to improving, uh, the health 599 00:26:05,485 --> 00:26:07,445 of children in the under-resourced communities. 600 00:26:08,395 --> 00:26:12,335 So we also need to look beyond traditional model, where I, 601 00:26:12,335 --> 00:26:15,375 as a pediatrician, see a child with a behavioral problem 602 00:26:16,275 --> 00:26:17,655 or a mental health issue, 603 00:26:17,915 --> 00:26:20,055 and then refer them out to a mental health provider. 604 00:26:20,735 --> 00:26:22,465 That model has a lot of challenges, 605 00:26:23,015 --> 00:26:24,625 even though it's gotten better over the years, 606 00:26:24,625 --> 00:26:25,745 there's still a lot of stigma 607 00:26:26,165 --> 00:26:29,105 around mental health providers, transportation issues, 608 00:26:29,105 --> 00:26:31,625 getting to mental health providers, scheduling issues, 609 00:26:31,685 --> 00:26:34,785 and so on so forth that we all know about, right? 610 00:26:35,925 --> 00:26:38,805 A better model is to have mental health providers 611 00:26:40,095 --> 00:26:42,265 that are part of a healthcare team, 612 00:26:42,615 --> 00:26:43,965 just like we did in South Florida, 613 00:26:43,995 --> 00:26:47,445 just like our national network partners, um, continue to do. 614 00:26:47,665 --> 00:26:49,325 For instance, I worked alongside, 615 00:26:49,905 --> 00:26:51,165 uh, I can still remember Dr. 616 00:26:51,165 --> 00:26:53,925 Christina, we called her a psychologist, and she 617 00:26:53,925 --> 00:26:56,085 and I would just see patients sometimes together. 618 00:26:56,825 --> 00:26:59,965 And there was a part where people would say, 619 00:26:59,965 --> 00:27:01,085 wait, who's the pediatrician? 620 00:27:01,335 --> 00:27:03,245 Who's the psychologist? Who's the best compliment? 621 00:27:03,245 --> 00:27:05,405 Because I learned a lot about mental health 622 00:27:05,825 --> 00:27:07,125 and behavioral issues in children, 623 00:27:07,145 --> 00:27:08,765 and she learned a lot on the medical side. 624 00:27:09,465 --> 00:27:12,365 And to work as a team in an integrative model like 625 00:27:12,365 --> 00:27:15,205 that is gonna, uh, be a lot more effective. 626 00:27:15,205 --> 00:27:16,205 It doesn't mean that every patient 627 00:27:16,205 --> 00:27:17,285 needs a mental health provider. 628 00:27:17,545 --> 00:27:18,805 It doesn't mean that every patient 629 00:27:18,805 --> 00:27:20,885 that needs a mental health provider is gonna see 630 00:27:21,035 --> 00:27:24,045 that psychologist, but she can make a better determination 631 00:27:24,585 --> 00:27:26,125 and advise parents and, 632 00:27:26,345 --> 00:27:29,765 and through this process also reduce any stigma 633 00:27:29,915 --> 00:27:31,965 that is still out there about mental health, 634 00:27:32,085 --> 00:27:34,085 particularly in a lot of the populations we see, 635 00:27:34,085 --> 00:27:36,645 even though, uh, again, things have gotten better, 636 00:27:36,795 --> 00:27:39,165 there's still populations out there that, uh, 637 00:27:39,235 --> 00:27:40,205 they don't want people to know 638 00:27:40,205 --> 00:27:41,285 they're seeing a mental health provider. 639 00:27:41,385 --> 00:27:43,245 So that's integrative models like that. 640 00:27:43,625 --> 00:27:45,525 And then the use of telehealth, like I said earlier, 641 00:27:45,815 --> 00:27:48,245 increasing that because you can see a lot more kids, 642 00:27:48,365 --> 00:27:51,725 particularly our youth, um, uh, through that model, 643 00:27:51,725 --> 00:27:53,045 that it can be very effective. 644 00:27:53,265 --> 00:27:54,565 And there's also, um, 645 00:27:54,875 --> 00:27:57,205 developmental models like Healthy Steps 646 00:27:57,655 --> 00:28:02,085 where a developmental specialist is integrated into, um, 647 00:28:02,545 --> 00:28:03,765 the healthcare team 648 00:28:04,425 --> 00:28:07,405 and where they can identify developmental issues in babies 649 00:28:07,545 --> 00:28:11,565 and toddlers at a much earlier age, uh, than most 650 00:28:11,565 --> 00:28:14,125 of us would in the traditional healthcare setting, 651 00:28:14,825 --> 00:28:16,765 and refer them to the right places. 652 00:28:16,945 --> 00:28:18,405 And then guide the parents about 653 00:28:18,405 --> 00:28:19,405 what they can be doing at home 654 00:28:19,405 --> 00:28:21,285 to stimulate their child's, uh, development. 655 00:28:21,785 --> 00:28:23,605 Um, so we have to look at different models, 656 00:28:24,225 --> 00:28:27,125 but then there's also what we refer to as community health. 657 00:28:27,665 --> 00:28:29,645 You know, we need to work together 658 00:28:29,955 --> 00:28:31,245 with the communities we're in, 659 00:28:31,245 --> 00:28:33,285 and we're doing that in places like Baton Rouge 660 00:28:33,775 --> 00:28:36,085 where they're working with the local police department, 661 00:28:36,105 --> 00:28:40,485 for instance, um, to really, uh, build safer areas 662 00:28:41,065 --> 00:28:43,525 and address safety issues that really add 663 00:28:43,525 --> 00:28:44,605 to the trauma a lot 664 00:28:44,605 --> 00:28:46,845 of kids are under right now, and families. 665 00:28:47,305 --> 00:28:49,605 Um, and we need to be talking about that 666 00:28:49,605 --> 00:28:53,245 and working with, um, you know, local police departments, 667 00:28:53,315 --> 00:28:57,285 working with educators to destigmatize mental health issues, 668 00:28:58,305 --> 00:29:01,765 lessen the trauma by creating safer spaces for children, uh, 669 00:29:01,785 --> 00:29:05,685 and families, uh, to live, work, learn, play, uh, 670 00:29:06,025 --> 00:29:07,365 and just, you know, be themselves. 671 00:29:09,685 --> 00:29:12,005 - Ur thank you for being so generous with your time 672 00:29:12,005 --> 00:29:13,005 and insights today. 673 00:29:13,225 --> 00:29:15,525 We absolutely cannot wait to share them with the audience, 674 00:29:15,525 --> 00:29:17,165 and we look forward to connecting with you soon. 675 00:29:17,915 --> 00:29:18,965 - Well, uh, thank you Chris. 676 00:29:19,025 --> 00:29:20,645 And you know, I, I don't know if you have, 677 00:29:20,785 --> 00:29:24,285 if you can do this, but if you, if, if those listening want 678 00:29:24,285 --> 00:29:26,765 to know more and have more information about us, I, 679 00:29:26,775 --> 00:29:29,845 we're all on social media follow Children's Health Fund. 680 00:29:29,845 --> 00:29:32,765 You can find us just by Googling, uh, children's Health Fund 681 00:29:32,765 --> 00:29:34,645 and we're on LinkedIn, Facebook X, 682 00:29:34,645 --> 00:29:36,085 formerly Twitter and Instagram. 683 00:29:36,665 --> 00:29:38,805 Um, and you can also visit our website, 684 00:29:39,085 --> 00:29:40,205 children's Health Fund, no, 685 00:29:40,205 --> 00:29:42,325 apostrophe children's health fund.org, 686 00:29:42,745 --> 00:29:43,885 and you can learn more about us. 687 00:29:44,025 --> 00:29:46,205 And, uh, I, I appreciate the time with you 688 00:29:46,305 --> 00:29:49,005 and, uh, it's really my pleasure to have been here. 689 00:29:49,255 --> 00:29:49,685 Thank you.