Team Members
- Janet Cummings, PhD
- Nicoleta Serban, PhD, MS
- Nikki Raymond, MBA, MS
Research Project Description
Nearly one in five children in the U.S. experience a severe mental health disorder, and the majority of youth in need of mental health care do not receive services. This issue is greater for children living in poverty and in rural communities due to lack of transportation, greater distance to the nearest provider, parent scheduling conflicts, and low appointment availability outside of school hours. There are two possible models of care delivery that have the potential to improve accessibility, continuity, and quality of services for rural youth. In one model, providers travel from the clinic to the child’s residence to deliver in-home services. In a second model, providers travel from the clinic to the child’s school to deliver services in this setting. While such models have been implemented in community health settings, there is a lack of evidence concerning their potential to improve care for rural youth.
This research project proposes to use clinical data and semi-structured interviews to: 1) investigate the extent to which behavioral health care delivery models that employ in-home and in-school services improve mental health treatment continuity and quality among children with Medicaid insurance, 2) identify the parameters of the successful implementation of these delivery models, and 3) assess the overall impact on the healthcare system at different levels of penetration of such care models. This study will provide needed evidence for care delivery models that have potential to improve mental health treatment continuity, quality and outcomes for youth in rural communities. The findings will inform policymakers, insurers, and providers on steps that may be taken to improve treatment and outcomes for youth in rural communities with behavioral health conditions.
Team Members
Janet Cummings, PhD
Janet Cummings is an Associate Professor in the Emory University Department of Health Policy and Management. As a health services researcher, she aims to improve access to and quality of mental health services among vulnerable populations. She implements a range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies in her research.
Nicoleta Serban, PhD, MS
Nicoleta Serban is Professor of Industrial Systems Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. She has more than 15 years of experience in developing and implementing statistical and machine learning methodologies applied to topics including industrial economics and engineering systems. Her recent research has investigated mathematical methodologies for transforming the healthcare system.
Nikki Raymond, MBA, MS
Nikki Raymond is the CEO of the largest private mental health agency in Georgia, and she has over 20 years of experience working in community-based mental health. Through her leadership roles on statewide committees that convene policymakers, mental health providers, and insurers, Nikki strives to guide state policy.
