KidsPeace has received permission from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to expand telepsychiatry services to its outpatient locations in the state.

Telepsychiatry uses secure two-way video technology to allow a clinical psychiatrist to conduct an evaluation of an individual from a remote location.

“One big issue is that there aren’t many board-certified psychiatrists with the necessary special training in child development, so getting in to see one in person at the clinic can be tough,” said Chris Ferry, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Community Programs. “There’s a waiting period of up to three months for an in-person appointment, but now with the telepsychiatry option we can usually set something up in about a week.”

Ferry notes that in the KidsPeace model, the individual being evaluated comes into one of the outpatient clinics and is seen by a case manager before an appointment is made to talk with the psychiatrist.

As of November telepsychiatry services are available at the following KidsPeace locations in the Lehigh Valley Press circulation area: KidsPeace Family Center, 1620 Broadway, Salisbury Township; Sacred Heart Hospital, 450 Chew St., Suite 203, Allentown, and 801 E. Green St., Allentown.

Information: kidspeace.org