MC3 and its program director, Anne Kramer, LMSW, were highlighted in a Q&A on the Emergency Medical Services for Children Innovation and Improvement Center.

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This past month, we sat down with Anne Kramer, LMSW, of the MC3 program, based out of Michigan, for a Q&A discussion. These discussions allow PMHCAs to engage directly with other organizations to share information about their program wins and challenges. They also allow other PMHCAs to gain insights into their work, highlight key points, or provide real-world examples relevant to other PMHCAs

1.What has been the most successful accomplishment of your PMHCA program to date?

Programmatically, our most tremendous success has been implementing MC3 services statewide with consultation, resources, and education available to providers and developing a model that is adaptive for the school and emergency services settings. In addition, the Michigan Consultation & Care Program has provided many educational activities, including webinars, Project ECHO series, and recorded trainings, which are accessible on our website. Behavioral Health Consultants (BHCs) are located regionally to help with consultation, care coordination, and support.

2. How has your team managed challenging projects?

MC3’s ability to manage challenging projects is due to the supportive collaboration between us and statewide partners. These relationships give us the bandwidth and people power to launch new initiatives and projects. These partners include the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine, Michigan State University, and the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan. We also consult with a physician champion and a program team with expertise in critical areas, including behavioral health, clinical resources, marketing, education planning, and program evaluation.

3. Have you engaged in state or national associations to collaborate?

MC3 routinely presents at state, national, and international pediatricians and child psychiatrists’ meetings. We also present at rural primary care physicians’ regional meetings and similar organizations. Regional Community Mental Health Services Programs employ our behavioral health consultants and collaborate regularly on provider outreach and resources. We attend membership meetings and present program information for prescribing providers, including physicians, nurse practitioners, and physicians’ assistants. We also present to hospital associations, commercial and public insurers, legislators, school personnel, and the Michigan Department of Education.

4. What modes of marketing/sharing about your program have been most successful?

MC3’s most successful type of marketing is “Word-of-mouth.” Providers sign up, call us for consultations, use our resources, and attend our trainings. They spread the word among other providers about MC3’s value in their practice. Our other top marketing strategies have been presenting to clinics and providers (both virtual and in-person) and encouraging them to sign up. Also, we have a strong presence, including consulting psychiatrists, at professional conferences throughout Michigan.

5. Once a provider has enrolled in your services, how does your team provide support?

Providers have access to a website rich with educational resources, recorded modules, and access to behavioral health consultants located regionally to support their patients in obtaining psychological services, and other self-help services. Providers also obtain CME and MOC for educational programs offered by MC3.

6. How do keep them engaged about your current and/or new services

We keep providers engaged through a newsletter, emails, and direct mail. We also invite them to virtual and in-person meetings where they discuss their practice needs. We build relationships and trust with the providers through this dialog and other opportunities through training or conferences. The more familiarity providers have with our BHCs and consulting psychiatrists, the more comfortable they feel turning to us for guidance.