With any public health concern, we need to be prepared and informed about impacts coronavirus may have in our community. Stop the spread of germs and stay informed. For more information on the District Government’s preparations for impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit coronavirus.dc.gov for the most up to date information & details.
The Access HelpLine is the easiest way to get connected to services provided by the Department of Behavioral Health and its certified behavioral health care providers. The line is staffed 24/7 by professionals who can refer a caller to immediate or ongoing care. Call the help line at 1(888)7WE-HELP or 1-888-793-4357.
Department of Behavioral Health- Children, Youth, and Family Services
The Department of Behavioral Health is building a system of care for children, youth, and their families that supports prevention and early identification of behavioral health needs. Visit their website to view their range of treatment and support services today.
- Healthy Futures: Healthy Futures provides early childhood mental health consultation to District of Columbia early childhood development centers and home childcare providers. For more information please contact: Stephen O’Connor at 202-527-0840 or [email protected]; Sharon Dietsche at 202-673-7792 or [email protected].
- Parent Infant Early Childhood Enhancement Program (PIECE): The PIECE program’s mission is to provide culturally competent community-based mental health services to infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age children (ages 8 and under), that are responsive to individual family needs. For more information please contact: Shermain Bowden at 202-698-1838 or [email protected].
- Primary Project: Primary Project is a prevention and early intervention program designed to reduce mild adjustment difficulties of identified children in pre-kindergarten/4 through third grade. Primary Project child associates provide one-to-one, non-directive play sessions to young children. For more information please contact: J’Wan Griffin at 202-446-4128 [email protected]; Sharon Dietsche at 202-281-9220 or [email protected].
- DC Social, Emotional and Early Development Project (DC SEED):The DC SEED Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant provides programmatic and child-specific consultation services to early childhood providers within DC child development centers. If you would like to learn more information or be connected with a DC SEED provider, please call the DBH Access Helpline or call one of the DC SEED Early Childhood Providers listed below: Community Connections 202-465-4065, Mary’s Center 1-844-796-2797 or MedStar Georgetown 202.687.5086.
- DC Families United! is a family advocacy initiative addressing the need for increased family partnerships within the System of Care.
- Tuesdays Together! Weekly Virtual Parent Support conversations for parents and other caregivers - Staying Socially Connected during a time of Social Distancing. For more information contact Imani Walker at 202-802-0088 or [email protected].
COVID-19 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Resource Guide
DC MAP, the Children's Law Center, and the DC Behavioral Health Association has developed a guide aimed to provide a comprehensive listing of community behavioral health resources for youth that accept DC Medicaid and their operating status during COVID-19. (Note: Resource tabs are located across the top of their page.)
The WISE center recognizes that the amount of information pertaining to mental health resources related to COVID-19 can be overwhelming to process. Therefore, their team has identified some of the most helpful resources pertaining to the mental health impact of COVID-19. Resources are divided into four content areas: resources for everyone, resources for parents, resources for educators, and resources for mental health providers.
Stress and Resilience: How Toxic Stress Affects Us, and What We Can Do About It
This Harvard University Center on the Developing Child brief includes a few simple and free activities to help support parents and families experiencing unrelenting stress. Learn more about what toxic stress is, how it can affect you, and what you can do—both by yourself and in connection with your community—to deal with what you’re experiencing.
The DC Mental health Outrecach for MotherS partnership supports moms or primary caregivers receiving TANF with life stress and brings mental health within reach by meeting them where they are. If you, like many, are feeling stressed and overwhelmed during this time of uncertainty, you may be eligible to participate in the DC MOMs Stress Management Course. To learn more and enroll, email [email protected].
We understand that this is not an exhaustive list. We are open to adding additional resources. Please email with your suggestions, [email protected]