Vermont's Free Child and Perinatal Psychiatry Consultation Programs

As we all know, Vermont has a mental health crisis that has grown exponentially worse since the pandemic. Due to limited availability of mental health resources and mental health clinicians in Vermont much of the mental health burden is falling on primary care. A little over a year ago, the Department of Mental Health, Vermont Department of Health, the Community Health Centers, and the Vermont Child Health Improvement Program came together to form the Vermont Child Psychiatry Access Program (VTCPAP) and strengthen the Perinatal Psychiatric Consultation Service. These much-needed mental health resources are free to Vermont’s Nurse Practitioners that serve children ages 21 and under as well as patients that are pregnant, pre-conception or postpartum. Below is a description of the two programs.

The Vermont Child Psychiatry Access Program (VTCPAP) would like to welcome you to register your clinic for their free, fast access consultation service for Primary Care Providers (PCPs) in Vermont who have questions about the mental healthcare of their patients aged 21 and under. PCPs can access VTCPAP by calling their phone line where they will receive direct consultation with their staff of licensed clinical social workers, and child-adolescent psychiatrists. The focus of the program is to help PCPs offer the fastest, most comprehensive care possible for their patients. To register for this program, download the registration for here, or call for a consultation at (802) 488-5342. If you have any questions about this program, feel free to reach out to the VTCPAP Practice Engagement and Outreach Specialist, Heidi Considine, at heidi.considine@med.uvm.edu.

The Perinatal Psychiatric Consultation Service welcomes providers to call their free consultation service regarding their patient’s psychiatric diagnosis and/or treatment during pregnancy, pre-conception or postpartum. Providers can call 802-847-4758 to leave a voice message, send messages through EPIC or email the lead Psyciatrist, Dr. Sarah Guth, at sarah.guth@uvmhealth.org. Dr. Guth will respond to all messages within one business day and would also be happy to connect with practices directly to educated them more on this program and what it can offer.