The Fund supports networks of state health policy decision makers to help identify, inspire, and inform policy leaders.
A bipartisan group of state health policymakers from both the executive and legislative branches who are focused on improving population health.
Networks of state officials, advocates, and others aiming to invest in and transform primary care.
A program dedicated to advancing state-based efforts to make health care more affordable for residents, employers, and states.
The Milbank Memorial Fund supports two state leadership programs for legislative and executive branch state government officials committed to improving population health.
A leadership development program for early and mid-career state government officials who are committed to improving the health of all people in their communities.
A leadership program for senior state government officials who are committed to improving population health.
The Fund focuses on creating an affordable health care system built on strong primary care and partnerships that improve health outcomes for all.
Improving state leaders’ ability to enact and implement evidence-based health policies.
Advancing policies that create a more prevention- and primary care-oriented health system.
Improving population health through policies that contain health care cost growth.
Our state health policy resources offer relevant data analysis and best practices.
The Fund publishes reports, issues briefs, and case studies on state health policy issues.
Short takes on health policy issues from Milbank staff and guest authors.
Insights from Milbank President Debra Lubar on state health policymaking.
Reported articles and Q&As on timely health policy issues, as well as foundation updates.
Milbank Memorial Fund and Milbank Quarterly webinars featuring state health policymakers and researchers.
Updates and expert contact information for reporters.
The Milbank Memorial Fund is a private foundation that works to improve population health and health equity.
March 15, 2017
Policy Report
Elizabeth Tobin-Tyler
Rachel L. Hulkower
Jennifer W. Kaminski
Publication
Jul 23, 2026
Jul 15, 2026
Jul 14, 2026
Nearly one in seven children aged 2 to 8 years in the United States has a mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder. Among children and adolescents aged 9 to 17 years, as many as one in five may have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder. Yet not a single state in the country has an adequate supply of child psychiatrists, and 43 states are considered to have a severe shortage.
Models exist, however, for treating many of these children effectively in primary care settings that offer integrated, family-centered care. In this Milbank-sponsored report, Elizabeth Tobin Tyler, JD, MA, of Brown University, and Rachel L. Hulkower, JD, MSPH, and Jennifer W. Kaminski, PhD, of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, explore the prevalence of childhood behavioral health problems; describe the need for, barriers to, and models of behavioral health integration (BHI) in pediatrics; and offer BHI policy and implementation considerations for policymakers, planners, and providers.
The report is intended for anyone interested in improving the welfare of children in the health care system. It is the latest of several reports on BHI published by the Milbank Memorial Fund. Other reports have covered BHI for adults and BHI for people with serious and persistent mental illness. All of these reports aim to help policymakers and providers who are looking for research-supported models of care that address these conditions.
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