Resources for Transitioning to TeleMH During COVID-19

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many CACs and clinicians are transitioning to telemental health to maintain essential services. Below are vital resources and information for CACs considering telemental health options during COVID-19.

Last Updated 12/29/2020

Getting Started

Telehealth: What You Need to Know to Get Started The Medical University of South Carolina developed a mini-webinar along with a tip sheet for CACs and clinicians transitioning to telemental health delivery services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 10 minute mini-webinar provides a snapshot of everything to consider when starting telemental health. These resources are available in both English and Spanish on WRCAC’s “Webinars & Videos” page.

Telehealth Delivery Of TF-CBT: What You Need To Know To Get Started This 3 hour training from NCA, also in partnership with the Medical University of South Carolina, provides those using or looking to use telehealth technology for Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) with some critical considerations and safeguards to keep in mind. Topics include: specific tailoring of TF-CBT components for a telehealth delivery format; a demonstration of how to utilize electronic resources to deliver TF-CBT components; and procedures and workflow considerations for telehealth delivery of TF-CBT. The training recording is available now on NCA Engage.

Healing Through Telehealth During COVID-19 CACs recognize the importance of continuing to provide mental health services to their clients, and are quickly working to implement telehealth. On March 23rd, NCA brought together a panel of experts to share key information on putting telemental health guidelines into practice. The webinar recording is available now on NCA Engage.

Nonprofits and Coronavirus – This page on the National Council of Nonprofits website is updated regularly with the latest information and resources that nonprofits can use to prepare and respond to the evolving situation created by COVID-19.

Tip Sheets

25 Tips for MDTs: Responding to Child Abuse During a Pandemic This article written by the Zero Abuse Project includes 25 recommendations for MDTs responding to child abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Telemental Health Tip Sheets These tip sheets released by NCA help caregivers and therapists plan ahead for telemental health courses and sessions and address the unique challenges of providing services for kids through technology. The tip sheets are short, easy to follow, and ready to print off and hand out. Experts at Dakota Children’s Advocacy Center, the Medical University of South Carolina, and Red River Children’s Advocacy Center offer guidance for the most important people in the mental health process—parents and therapists—to ensure quality services that are just as engaging and safe as treatments delivered in person.

→ Telehealth Tips for Therapists

→ Telehealth Tips for Caregivers

Clinical

UCLA Brief COVID-19 Screen for Child/Adolescent PTSD A newly developed tool for facilitating PTSD risk screening and triage to address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on children, adolescents and their families. This tool is designed for use by professionals across a range of child-serving systems including behavioral health, primary care, pediatrics, schools, child welfare, juvenile justice and residential care. This resource is available at no cost in both English and Spanish.

Telehealth Tips: Managing Suicidal Clients During the COVID-19 Pandemic This 3 page resource includes tips and a template safety plan for evaluating and treating suicidal individuals remotely via telehealth.

TF-CBT Teleboxes These “teleboxes” developed by the Children’s Advocacy Centers of North Dakota (CACND) contain all the tools that a client needs to participate in telehealth, including an iPad that is restricted-use but data-enabled, headphones, and the materials used during the course of treatment.  The contents of the teleboxes are modeled on the supplies used in TF-CBT, but can be modified and adapted to other treatment modalities. The boxes are age-appropriate and divided into age groups (7-9, 10-12, and 13-18 years old), and the materials are placed in separate envelopes and labeled by session, so that the participants have something to look forward to opening as treatment progresses. The sample list of telebox contents linked here was shared by CACND in May 2020. For more information on this innovative program, contact Paula Condol or Dr. Nicola Herting.

Telehealth, Families, and Youth – What’s Their Take? The Parent/Professional Advocacy League of Massachusetts surveyed both families and youth/young adults in mid-May on their experiences with telehealth, which quickly became the preferred method of contact when the Pandemic hit. Until this report, most of the narrative around telehealth has been from providers. Read this report and learn what families and youth had to say!

Technology

HIPPA-Compliant Technology During COVID-19 A list of virtual meeting platforms that are frequently used by behavioral health organizations that either are HIPAA compliant, or can be shifted to meet these requirements. This list is provided by The Institute for Innovation and Implementation at the University of Maryland School of Social Work

Legal/Regulatory

COVID-19 Telehealth Medicaid Expansions: A State-by-State Guide States are relaxing Medicaid regulations around telehealth during COVID-19. Get the most recent information on your state with this guide from the The Institute for Innovation and Implementation at the University of Maryland School of Social Work.

Emergency State Actions Addressing Telehealth/Licensure Waivers – In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, some state Governors have issued emergency orders to increase access to telehealth services and to increase the pool of available health care providers. This resource from the American Psychological Association provides provide answers to several important questions regarding telehealth policies by state during COVID-19.

Center for Connected Health Policy – Telehealth Coverage Policies in the time of COVID-19 (March 16, 2020) PDF This document provides a summary of adjustments made to telehealth policies in response to COVID-19, including what is covered by various public and private payers.

Self-Care Resources

COVID Coach Mobile App This app developed by the VA’s National Center for PTSD is designed for everyone, including Veterans and Service members, to support self-care and overall mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Free Access to Headspace Plus Headspace, a mindfulness and meditation app, is currently offering all US healthcare professionals who work in public health settings free access to the premium version of the app – Headspace Plus.  Headspace Plus includes a full library with themed courses, a new meditation every day, sleep sounds, bedtime exercises, and more.

Questions?

We’re here to help! Reach out to the WRCAC team by email at wrcac@rchsd.org.

Access more telemental health resources using the menu on the left.