Expanding In-Person Mental Health Services Within a Children’s Advocacy Center as the Pandemic Recedes

This Western Regional Children's Advocacy Center (WRCAC) Issue Brief examines the challenges and considerations for Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) as they navigate the transition from telemental health services back to in-person services amidst the evolving COVID-19 pandemic landscape. It discusses the dramatic shift to telemental health due to social distancing requirements and outlines the benefits and continued relevance of a hybrid care model that includes both in-person and remote services. The brief provides a thoughtful analysis of the factors affecting decisions to resume in-person mental health treatment, such as local restrictions and perceived risks, and offers recommendations for CACs to consider when integrating in-person mental health care into their service continuum.