Ohio Pediatric Psychiatry Access Line (OPPAL)

Focus: Behavioral Health
Expertise: Technical Assistance

Ohio, like the rest of the nation, faces a critical shortage of mental health services for its youth. This shortage was intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, with increases in mental illness among youth reported nationwide. Pediatric primary care practitioners are increasingly tasked with filling these gaps but face limitations in training and resources. In response to these pressing needs, the Health Resources and Services Administration awarded federal funds to the Ohio Department of Health to establish Ohio’s implementation of a Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program, The Ohio Pediatric Psychiatry Access Line (OPPAL). The Ohio Department of Medicaid and The Ohio State University are also supporting this work through the Medicaid Technical Assistance and Policy Program (MedTAPP). 

About OPPAL

The OPPAL program is comprised of three components:

  • Consultations: A free telephone helpline provides clinicians with same-day, peer-to-peer consultation with a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Regional consultation teams comprised of five different hospitals hubs provide consultations Monday through Friday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm; clinicians may call any day.
  • Education: Educational resources have been developed and implemented by the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (Ohio AAP) and regional hospital hubs in response to the workforce development needs and preferences of child and adolescent primary care clinicians.
  • Resource Navigation: The hospital hubs are trained in local behavioral health resources throughout the state so that all calls can receive location-based, resource navigation no matter which hub a provider speaks with. Resource navigation is offered when a child requires services beyond what can be provided in primary care.

Additional Resources