Questions About VMAP?
Expand sections below to learn more about VMAP.
The Virginia Mental Health Access Program (VMAP) is a statewide initiative that helps health care providers take better care of children and adolescents with mental health conditions through provider education and increasing access to child psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and care navigators. VMAP ensures that more children have access to providers who are better able to screen, diagnose, manage and treat mental health.
VMAP is now available statewide. Providers anywhere in Virginia now have access to the VMAP Line’s regionally-based teams, as well as provider education.
No. VMAP is not a crisis line. VMAP is also not intended as a replacement for mental health services that need ongoing management by a psychiatrist or other behavioral health provider (i.e., emergency or complex cases).
If the caller’s patient is in a crisis, they will be directed to hang up, dial 9-1-1, and/or direct the patient to the nearest Emergency Department or regional crisis services.
PCPs who see patients 21 and under (up to the 22nd birthday) can utilize VMAP’s services, including the VMAP Line and provider education.
Throughout the state, VMAP has REACH, ECHO, and QI initiatives occurring all year long. To find out when and where sessions are happening, go to VMAP’s Education For PCPs page.
VMAP registered providers have access to all of VMAP’s provider education opportunities and regional hub services offered via the VMAP Line.
Providers who have registered with VMAP will also receive regular updates on new educational opportunities and programs as VMAP continues to expand statewide. The intake process to access regional hub services via the VMAP Line is also more efficient if you are already registered with VMAP.
When you reach out to the VMAP Line, our team will need to collect some important information about the patient before coordinating a consultation or other services. This includes:
- Patient information – Name, DOB, insurance type, zip code
- Reason for the call and relevant background information
Please also remember that you should inform the parent/guardian of your intent to obtain consultative advice for these mental health concerns. You will be asked this screening question by the call center.
If you have someone calling VMAP on your behalf (nurse, care coordinator, etc.) please make sure they are aware of the answers to these questions as it will expedite the process.
When you call the VMAP Line during hours of operation, you should expect a return call from the consulting physician or LMHP within 30 minutes after your initial intake. Our goal with care navigation services is to provide resources to you as the PCP or to the family directly within 2 business days.
Any call that reaches the call center within 30 minutes of our closing may be diverted to our team covering on the following day. Similarly, if you call the VMAP Line after hours, you have an option to leave a message. You will receive a return call on the following business day.
The VMAP Line is closed on the following major holidays:
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day (July 4th)
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving and the day after
- Christmas Eve and Day
- New Year’s Eve and Day
Any other holiday closings will be communicated to registered PCPs with at least one week’s advance notice. Note that closings may be adjusted around the major holidays listed above.
We would love to have you be a part of our VMAP network! Our care navigators will refer families to mental health providers in their communities based on location, specialty, participation with the patient’s insurance, and availability. To join our network, please go to our Mental Health Providers page to find out how to connect with Unite Virginia.
Yes, families will benefit from VMAP if their primary care provider uses it. Please talk to your primary care provider about registering or encourage them to contact VMAP for more information.