NEWS RELEASE
April 7, 2025
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com
Mental Health Integration into Primary Pediatric Care Grows with Jupiter Pediatric Associates
Partnership between Center for Child Counseling and Jupiter Pediatric Associates helps address the whole child
Center for Child Counseling (CFCC) announces its continued integration of mental health services into primary pediatric care with a partnership with Jupiter Pediatric Associates.
An estimated one in five children will experience a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. Of those children diagnosed with mental health disorders, 75 percent of children are currently seen in primary care settings, demonstrating the growing role primary care providers have in addressing mental health issues. At the same time, it is estimated that 75-80 percent of children in need of mental health services do not receive them.
Traumatic experiences, if not addressed, can cause long-term health consequences. Research has shown that unaddressed mental health problems among children can lead to lower educational achievement, greater involvement with the criminal justice system, and poor health and social outcomes overall.
There are critical shortages in health professionals to meet the current and increasing demand for services. In 2022, the entire state of Florida had a total of 493 children and adolescent psychiatrists with 43 practicing in Palm Beach County–one psychiatrist per 6,553 children under the age of 18 in the county (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry).
“Directly supporting trauma-informed and responsive approaches across systems that serve children and families, particularly pediatric primary care, can and will mitigate the negative impacts of overwhelming stress and help them thrive now and later in life,” stated Renée Layman, chief executive officer of Center for Child Counseling.
According to the AAP: “Pediatric clinicians are on the front lines of caring for children and adolescents and, thus, have the greatest potential for early identification of and response to childhood trauma. Data indicate that, although pediatric providers intuitively understand the negative effects of trauma, they report a lack of knowledge, time, and resources as major barriers to providing trauma-informed care. Yet, experts believe that the complete assessment of child and adolescent behavioral, developmental, emotional, and physical health requires consideration of trauma as part of the differential diagnosis to improve diagnostic accuracy and appropriateness of care.”
Over the past twenty-five years, Center for Child Counseling has used an integration model for services, locating CFCC staff within childcare centers, schools, and organizations serving children. This approach to integrate into the primary pediatric care setting was first launched in 2021 with Palm Beach Pediatrics.
Through this partnership with Jupiter Pediatrics Associates, the Center, a local nonprofit, is embedding its services within the primary care setting to deliver an array of prevention, early intervention, and mental health services. A CFCC therapist devotes five hours per week on-site to support their patients’ mental health needs. Together, CFCC and Jupiter Pediatrics have streamlined their practice’s referrals for care coordination and mental health therapy services.
“As we continue to grow the pediatric integration program and hire additional staff, we are excited to expand the time and resources we can devote to on-site services at Jupiter Pediatric Associates. Research shows that this holistic approach supports overall wellness, including short and long-term health outcomes. We hope to continue to extend this model of care to other pediatric practices throughout Palm Beach County,” added Layman.
According to Dr. Phillip Colaizzo of Jupiter Pediatric Associates, “I became aware of this wonderful resource called Center for Child Counseling several years ago and have been referring and working with them through my role as pediatrician and as a medical director of the child protection team. I am very impressed with how they facilitate integration of mental, emotional, and physical health by having counselors in the pediatric offices. This holistic approach is beneficial to those served and is critical in helping busy families get the treatment they need.”
CFCC’s pediatric integration program is made possible thanks to the support of Quantum Foundation, The Frederick DeLuca Foundation, and Palm Beach County Community Services Department.
For more information on Center for Child Counseling and its pediatric integration services, visit centerforchildcounseling.org/pediatricintegration.
###