Name
Implementation of the HealthySteps Program on an FQHC Pediatrics Team: Access and Sustainability
Description

This presentation will describe the implementation of the HealthySteps program on a pediatrics team at an FQHC. We will discuss strategies used to sustain this program through optimization of staffing and new covered preventive visits. We will also share how implementation of this program has increased access to behavioral health and community health worker services in our youngest patients.

Speakers
Diana Westerberg, PhD
Co-Authors
Isabelle Giannopoulos
Diana Garcia-Suazo, LICSW
Linda Galligani, PNP
Lorraine Lozada, RN
Content Level
Intermediate
Tags
Pediatrics, Prevention, Sustainability
Session Type
Concurrent
Objective 1
Describe the HealthySteps model and its role in integrating behavioral health into pediatric primary care for children ages 0–3.
Objective 2
Identify strategies used to implement and sustain the HealthySteps program within a Federally Qualified Health Center, including staffing optimization and use of covered preventive visits.
Objective 3
Explain how the HealthySteps program can increase access to behavioral health and community health worker services for young children and their families.
Content Reference 1

Valado, T., Tracey, J., Goldfinger, J., & Briggs R. (2019) HealthySteps: Transforming the Promise of Pediatric Care. The Future of Children, 29(1):99-122, https://doi.org/10.1353/foc.2019.0007

Content Reference 2

Buchholz, M., Burnett, B., Margolis, K. L., Millar, A., & Talmi, A. (2018). Early childhood behavioral health integration activities and HealthySteps: Sustaining practice, averting costs. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, 6(2), 140–151.

Content Reference 3

Hostutler, C., Wolf, N., Snider, T., Butz, C., Kemper, A. R., & Butter, E. (2023). Increasing Access to and Utilization of Behavioral Health Care Through Integrated Primary Care. Pediatrics, 152(6), e2023062514. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2023-062514

Content Reference 4

Hostutler, C. A., Shahidullah, J. D., Mautone, J. A., Rybak, T. M., Okoroji, C., Bruni, T., Stephenson, K. G., Utset, L. V., Freeman, K. A., LaLonde, L., & Riley, A. R. (2025). A systematic review and meta-analysis of pediatric integrated primary care for the prevention and treatment of physical and behavioral health conditions. Journal of pediatric psychology, 50(7), 561–578. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsae038

Content Reference 5

Germán, M., Alonzo, J. K., Williams, I. M., et al. (2023). Early childhood referrals by HealthySteps and community health workers. Clinical Pediatrics, 62(4), 321–328.