Nebraska Pediatric Integrated Care Training (NE-PICT) Model

Objective: The Nebraska Pediatric Integrated Care Training (NE-PICT) model of training was initiated in 1997 to meet the behavioral health needs of youth throughout the state of Nebraska, as well as to prepare the future behavioral health workforce to practice in primary care settings. In 2011, the NE-PICT program was identified by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as 1 of 9 promising practices in rural mental health delivery. The purpose of this article is to describe the NE-PICT model of training. Method: NE-PICT was developed to increase the capacity of behavioral health providers equipped to address the majority of behavioral health needs of youth presenting in primary care. Training includes a combination of didactic and in-clinic modeling with supervising NE-PICT university trainers. Results: Over 200 doctoral-level interns, 400 master's level interns, and 80 postdoctoral fellows have completed training through the NE-PICT model in over 40 primary care clinics since the program's inception. Conclusions: The NE-PICT has helped to grow the behavioral health workforce in primary care settings in Nebraska and beyond. Implications for Impact Statement There is a substantial need in this country to address the behavioral health needs of youth, particularly in rural and underserved areas, because of the shortage of clinicians. The Nebraska Pediatric Integrated Care Training (NE-PICT) model has been pivotal in training a behavioral health workforce prepared to integrate into primary care settings to address the behavioral health needs of youth in rural and underserved areas of the United States.