Virginia Mental Health Access Program (VMAP)
Did You Know?
- Virginia ranks 48th lowest in the country for prevalence of mental illness in our youth compared to access to care. (The State of Mental Health in America, 2023)
- Virginia ranks 39th lowest for the number of psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed social workers, counselors, and advanced practice nurses specializing in mental health care per population. (The State of Mental Health in America, 2023)
- Only four counties have sufficient child and adolescent psychiatrists; there are only 14 of these practitioners per 100,000 children in Virginia. (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2019)
- 91% of Virginia localities are mental health professional shortage areas. (VDH Data from HRSA, 2022).
Why VMAP?
About 22.1% of U.S. children face mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral challenges. Half of all mental illnesses start by age 14. Often, patients initially seek help from primary care providers. With a shortage of mental health providers in Virginia, many children lack necessary support. VMAP aims to bridge this gap.
What is the Virginia Mental Health Access Program?
The Virginia Mental Health Access Program (VMAP) expands access to mental health expertise by facilitating consultation between psychiatric providers, licensed mental health professionals and children’s primary care providers. VMAP also increases access to care through care navigation services and referral support. Enrollment to this service is FREE and available to all primary care physicians in the community with patients 21 years of age or younger.
Register Here for the Virginia Mental Health Access Program.
Schedule a Lunch and Learn Session with Our VMAP Support Team
To schedule a lunch-and-learn session or to receive more information about VMAP please reach out to our Eastern Region team by contacting Victoria.Cartagena@chkd.org or calling (888) 371-8627, ext. 2.
What to expect?
Enrolled primary care providers can speak to a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist, a licensed mental health professional, or a regional care navigator about a specific case Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., by calling (888) 371-VMAP (8627), ext 2.
Be prepared to provide:
- Provider details and call back number.
- Patient information, including name, DOB, insurance, and zip code.
- Reason for consult/care navigation request and relevant background information.
Education and Training
VMAP-enrolled providers access year-round education and training to manage pediatric mental health needs. These opportunities improve care for children and adolescents. Eligible providers in Virginia, including pediatricians, family medicine physicians, nurse practitioners, and PAs, can participate at low to no cost.
View a List of Upcoming Trainings
Enrolled providers can access the VMAP Guidebook, a comprehensive resource tailored for pediatric and adolescent healthcare. It offers evidence-based practices and up-to-date resources.
Meet Your VMAP Team
Victoria Cartagena, Eastern Region Licensed Mental Health Professional
Victoria is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who currently serves as the Eastern Region Licensed Mental Health Professional working with Primary Care Pediatricians in the Virginia Mental Health Access Program to provide behavioral health consultation, mental health education, and support in connecting families to resources. She has a passion for working with children and families while supporting the goal of healing and transformation from a solution-focused and strengths-based approach. One of the main reasons Victoria pursued a career in social work is her heart for serving underrepresented communities and increasing access to mental health services that are effective and evidence-based. Victoria truly believes that people inherently do the best they can with what they have and her goal is to partner with you (or your child) in navigating life’s detours while providing a safe space where empowerment and equipping can take place.
Nikki Blanchard, Eastern Region Care Navigator
Nikki currently serves as a Care Navigator for the Eastern Region of the Virginia Mental Health Access Program, dedicated to assisting families in accessing mental health resources within the community and overcoming any barriers that may hinder their flourishing. Nikki graduated with a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Regent University, she brings six years of classroom experience, where she nurtured emotional regulation skills and employed positive reinforcement techniques with kindergarten through 5th grade self-contained and inclusion students. Nikki firmly believes in cultivating resilience in children amidst life's transitions and challenges, fostering a sense of safety and supportive connections that empower them to navigate their inner world and confront the uncertainties of our society. Her guiding principle is that all behavior is a form of communication, and she is committed to seeing families heal through safety, connection, and healthy communication practices. Through VMAP Nikki is able to support this healing process by increasing access to resources and decreasing barriers to care.