INCREASING ACCESS TO CHILD MENTAL-HEALTH-SERVICES FOR URBAN CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS

This article presents the results of a study that evaluated the effect s of two engagement interventions on the initial attendance and ongoin g retention in child mental health services of 109 primarily children of color and their families. Both the combined intervention (telephone and first interview) and the telephone-alone intervention were associ ated with significant increases in attendance at initial intake appoin tments over the usual intake procedure, but only the combined interven tion was related to the greater ongoing use of services. Implications for future research and recommendations for modifying procedures in ou tpatient child mental health centers are also presented.