Child Psychiatry Access Network

About the Network

The Child Psychiatry Access Network (CPAN) launched in May 2020 and serves as a valuable resource for primary care providers seeking to enhance child and youth mental health care in their practice. CPAN has been modeled after similar programs in 35 states and has been shown to be effective in improving collaborative care between primary care providers and mental health experts. Feedback from both providers and families has been positive, reflecting the program’s success.

This program, which is evidence-based and clinician-to-clinician, offers several key benefits:

  1. Real-Time Access to Experts: CPAN connects primary care providers to a multidisciplinary network of mental health professionals, including child psychiatrists, in the local region. This allows for timely consultations and advice on how to manage pediatric mental health issues.
  2. No Cost: There is no charge for either the provider or the patient, making it an accessible resource for practices serving a wide range of patients.
  3. Vetted Referrals and Resources: Providers have access to personalized referrals and resources, ensuring that children and families get the care they need in a timely manner.
  4. Continuing Medical Education (CME): CPAN offers behavioral health Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses to help primary care physicians stay up to date on best practices and evidence-based approaches in child mental health care.
  5. Enhancing Primary Care Capacity: By increasing the knowledge and skills of primary care providers in pediatric mental health, CPAN helps ensure that children with mild to moderate mental health conditions receive timely and effective care, in line with recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Why do we need CPAN?

With one in five children experiencing a mental health disorder and limited access to psychiatric care, especially in Texas. According to 2017 data from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, most of the United States has a severe shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists presenting a unique opportunity for us to help support providers. In Texas, there are less than 700 child and adolescent psychiatrists which averages out to approximately 9 providers for every 100,000 children under the age of 18 in Texas.

Overall, CPAN is an excellent tool for primary care providers looking to improve access to mental health care for children while saving time and resources. By leveraging CPAN, practices can offer more comprehensive care and better support the mental health needs of their pediatric patients. 

How CPAN Works

The Child Psychiatry Access Network (CPAN) provides a free, statewide program that offers immediate support for primary care clinicians in Texas who work with children under the age of 23. By simply making one phone call, primary care providers (PCPs) can access three core services that help them address pediatric mental health concerns effectively:

  1. Finding Better Referrals for Families:
    1. Location and Insurance Consideration: CPAN assists PCPs in locating the best mental health care options in their region. This includes taking into account the patient’s location, the type of insurance they have, and the length of the waitlist to access services.
    2. Personalized Referrals: The CPAN team will help PCPs navigate these factors to ensure families get the right care promptly, improving timely access to needed services.
  2. Guidance for Developing Behavior Plans:
    1. Common Behavioral Concerns: CPAN provides guidance on managing common emotional and behavioral issues that children face, such as:
      1. Bedtime challenges
      2. School refusals
      3. Struggling with emotions or behaviors
    2. Behavioral Plan Assistance: PCPs can work with CPAN to develop customized behavioral strategies and plans to address these challenges in a way that is evidence-based and practical for the child and family.
  3. Consultations with Child Psychiatrists:
    1. Quick Access to Expertise: PCPs can consult directly with a licensed child psychiatrist within 30 minutes of their call. These consultations cover a broad range of mental health concerns, including:
      1. Assessment of the child’s mental health needs
      2. Diagnosis of mental health conditions
      3. Treatment Plans that include psychopharmacology and behavioral strategies
    2. Timely Support: This fast response ensures that PCPs can get expert input quickly and make well-informed decisions about treatment for their patients.

How to Access CPAN Services

  • Phone Consultation: Providers can reach a licensed behavioral health specialist by calling (888) 901-2726, pressing 2, then 1. A team member will assist with the consultation right away.
  • Texting for Scheduling: Providers can also schedule consults by texting (832) 827-8301. CPAN will follow up with a psychiatrist within 30 minutes or at a preferred time.
  • Follow-Up: Within 24 hours, the team will send additional resources or a vetted list of referral options to assist with care planning.
  • Important Note: The CPAN text line is only used for scheduling consultations. Protected health information (PHI) should not be sent via text.

Emergency Situations: If a patient is in crisis or experiencing an emergency, CPAN recommends calling 911 or sending the patient to the nearest emergency room.

Enrollment: Any primary care provider in Texas (including pediatricians, family practice physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) who sees children can enroll and utilize CPAN services. Our enrollment form, sent via Trayt, is short and easy!

Call us anytime Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT at 1 (888) 901-CPAN (2726), press 2 for South and Southeast Region and 1 for BCM, or email cpaninfo@bcm.edu. Please visit our state website for more information regarding CPAN.

Direct Consults

CPAN now offers free, one-time consultations with a CPAN Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist.

By tapping into the expertise of CPAN psychiatrists, healthcare providers can receive valuable guidance and insights, enabling them to comprehensively assess and better understand complex cases, thus refining and optimizing their treatment plans for children and adolescents.

Requirements to use CPAN Direct


  • The child is not experiencing a mental health emergency (threatening harm to self or others).

  • The child’s parent or guardian gives written consent and agrees to be present during the 1:1 consultation.

  • The pediatric health clinician expects to remain the primary mental health provider.

How to access CPAN Direct

  1. Call Baylor College of Medicine CPAN at 888-901-2726 (option 2, then option 1).
  2. Request to speak with a CPAN psychiatrist.
  3. Receive a call back from a CPAN psychiatrist within 30 minutes.

During this consultation, the CPAN psychiatrist will determine if the patient is a good fit for a CPAN Direct consultation. If a direct consultation is needed, the psychiatrist will request contact information to schedule the consultation with the family.

Once the evaluation has been completed by a child and adolescent psychiatrist, CPAN will schedule a follow-up consultation call with you to review the recommendations.

Through these direct consults, PCPs can receive expert guidance on diagnostic clarification, treatment adjustments, and tailored recommendations to incorporate into their care. These consultations are designed to address issues like diagnostic uncertainty, treatment non-response, and the development of effective care plans for children with emotional or behavioral challenges. After the consultation, PCPs are expected to continue providing ongoing care, using the recommendations provided, and can rely on CPAN for referrals to mental health specialists if needed. This collaborative model ensures children, and their families receive timely, expert care, enhancing the ability of primary care providers to address mental health concerns in their practice.