Stony Brook Children’s CARE Initiative Supports Mental Health and Wellness of Local Students
As schools across Suffolk County face a growing youth mental health crisis, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital has introduced a program designed to bridge the gap between education and healthcare.
The Child and Adolescent Resource for Emotional Health (CARE) Initiative connects students, families, and schools with Stony Brook Medicine’s pediatric specialists to ensure that young people receive timely, compassionate, and comprehensive care.
Launched in partnership with local school districts, the CARE Initiative offers direct access to Stony Brook experts in many specialty fields. It also links families to broader Stony Brook Medicine resources for primary and specialty care, all coordinated through a school-connected point of contact.
According to Stony Brook Medicine Director of Behavioral Health Strategic Initiatives Susan Wilner, the initiative was created after listening to the needs of local schools and families. “We did a number of surveys and needs assessments across Long Island and then more specifically across Suffolk County,” she said. “What we found was nothing shocking — the districts were asking for a lot of things, from gynecology to orthopedics — but most importantly, they wanted help with behavioral health. That’s where the CARE initiative began.”
Wilner explained that while CARE launched as a behavioral health program through Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, it will continue to expand. “It’s starting primarily with behavioral health, but already provides access to pediatrics, neuropsych testing, and other specialties,” she said. “Our goal is to meet the needs of districts when they identify students who, in the past, might have otherwise been sent to an emergency room.”
The CARE Initiative operates both virtually and through select physical sites, but participation is limited to families referred by participating school districts. Referrals can come from school personnel, coaches, parents or guardians, and even the students themselves, ensuring that help is accessible from multiple points within a child’s network of support.
The program’s multidisciplinary team includes pediatric and adolescent experts from across Stony Brook Medicine, such as specialists in psychiatry and behavioral health, neurology, orthopedics, neuropsychology, and developmental medicine. CARE also partners with the Quannacut Substance Use Disorder Clinic, the Quannacut Integrated Mental Health Clinic, and the Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare, offering students access to an integrated network of care.
CARE began partnering with schools in September, including East Islip, Port Jefferson, East Hampton, Montauk, and Southampton, with Shoreham-Wading River and Rocky Point joining in January. The program offers immediate psychiatric assessments, sometimes same-day or next-day, for students in crisis, along with short-term counseling, medication management, and coordinated follow-up care.
“When a school identifies a student who’s struggling, we can assess them right away,” said Wilner. “For those who need ongoing support, we provide up to six counseling sessions and, if necessary, medication. If they need longer-term care, we help connect them to another provider with a warm handoff. The goal is to keep students safe, supported, and, whenever possible, in school.”
Through the CARE Call Center, participating schools can request assistance for a range of needs, from a student in crisis requiring urgent evaluation to a family seeking an autism assessment or neuropsychological testing for learning and behavioral concerns. Other common referrals include children showing signs of ADHD or developmental delays, teens struggling with substance use, or youth exploring gender identity who need affirming, supportive care.
In addition to direct clinical care, CARE offers a strong educational and preventive component. “We know the prevention piece is huge, especially with kids,” Wilner said. “Each month, districts receive professional development for staff, as well as parent workshops. We also provide complex case reviews and additional services like classroom observation or neuropsych testing as needed.”
To strengthen communication and engagement, CARE distributes a monthly newsletter featuring articles on behavioral health and wellness, upcoming events, and links to community resources. “It’s another way to keep schools and families connected,” said Wilner. “This is only our second month, but the feedback so far has been incredibly positive.”
CARE is also designed with flexibility and accessibility in mind. The initiative operates out of multiple centers across Suffolk County, including sites in Riverhead, Wainscott, Stony Brook, and Commack, with additional expansion planned. “We’re staffed with social workers and psychiatric nurse practitioners at each center, and we’ll soon have a psychiatrist who will serve as medical director,” Wilner said. “We also offer virtual visits, including during the school day if transportation or scheduling is an issue. The districts have been wonderful about providing private spaces for those sessions.”
Wilner emphasized that CARE is built on a model of compassion and accessibility. “If a family has insurance, we’ll bill insurance as usual,” she said. “If they’re uninsured or underinsured, we’ll still see them. No one gets turned away.”
For Wilner, who has spent much of her career advocating for children’s mental health, the initiative represents both professional purpose and personal passion. “There just aren’t enough services for kids and adolescents out there,” she said. “If we can provide care in the communities where families live, and give schools the tools and support they need, we can create healthier communities for everyone.”
Looking ahead, Wilner and her team hope to expand CARE to additional districts. “We presented it to every district in Suffolk County,” she said. “Some are already contracted with other providers, and others are waiting to see how things develop, but we’re in active discussions with more districts about joining next year.”
“We’re doing what we’re trained to do,” said Wilner. “And by working hand in hand with our schools, we can make sure every student has the support they need to thrive.”
School districts interested in joining the CARE network can contact the team at sbcareinfo@stonybrookmedicine.edu.
— Beth Squire