Beyond care coordination: Integrated health care settings for youth and their families

Integrated behavioral health (IBH) addresses the needs of children and their families with a comprehensive psychosocial approach that maximizes treatment adherence and minimizes duplication of services and barriers to mental health treatment. This treatment modality goes beyond care coordination and has been especially effective in helping youth and their families in low-income and high-risk neighborhoods. In the last two decades, IBH has found a home in two distinct service vehicles: primary care practices and school-based health clinics. This article discusses both types of models of care, provides a brief overview of assessment tools that social workers utilize in IBH settings, and illustrates some family IBH interventions through a case example.