#United States #Columbus #Trayt Health #OPPAL #Pediatric Psychiatry

Enhancing Pediatric Mental Health Access in Ohio

In a landmark collaboration aimed at transforming mental health access for children across the state, Trayt Health has partnered with the Ohio Pediatric Psychiatry Access Line (OPPAL). This initiative merges five regional psychiatric hubs into a single cohesive technology platform designed to facilitate psychiatric consultations for primary care providers (PCPs) within Ohio. By leveraging state-of-the-art technology, this partnership seeks to improve the care coordination process, ultimately benefiting children and families by providing timely access to essential mental health services.

As reported on December 9, 2025, the partnership facilitates a robust connection between primary care and behavioral health, a critical component of delivering comprehensive pediatric care. Malekeh Amini, the Founder and CEO of Trayt Health, underscored the importance of this initiative by stating that OPPAL addresses the pressing challenge of equitable access to mental health support for children. The integration of five pivotal children's hospitals located in cities like Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Akron, and Cleveland creates a unified network, drastically improving communication among healthcare providers while enhancing the consistency and quality of data.

Under this initiative, PCPs throughout all 88 counties in Ohio can utilize the Trayt Health platform to standardize their psychiatric consult requests. The newly developed PCP Portal allows providers to digitally request support at their convenience, easing the burden often felt during clinic hours. Given the increasing complexities faced by PCPs, this technological advancement aims to streamline their workflow while ensuring that patients receive timely psychiatric consultations without unnecessary delays.

Dr. Carl Feinstein, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer at Trayt Health, emphasized the critical nature of primary care access to behavioral health support, which ultimately allows for earlier and more effective treatment of pediatric patients. By harnessing technology to optimize the use of limited behavioral health resources, OPPAL serves as a model for improving patient outcomes for vulnerable children across the state.

The OPPAL program operates on the principle of providing same-day, peer-to-peer consultations with child psychiatrists, ensuring that PCPs can quickly access the expertise they need to support their young patients. Furthermore, OPPAL assists providers in connecting families with behavioral healthcare resources beyond the immediate pediatric medical home. This initiative is funded through strategic partnerships with the Ohio Department of Health, the Government Resource Center at The Ohio State University, and the Ohio Department of Medicaid, with additional federal support via the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

The financial backing received from HRSA, amounting to 42% of the program's total costs, highlights the importance of federal support in facilitating state-level health initiatives aimed at children's mental health. The funding underscores the ongoing commitment from governmental entities to address mental health disparities within communities.

Through the automated dashboards integrated into the Trayt platform, all measurement and reporting can be done with efficiency and transparency. This approach not only helps healthcare providers track their performance but also ensures ongoing improvements in the quality of care provided.

In conclusion, Trayt Health's innovative partnership with OPPAL demonstrates how technology can fundamentally reshape mental health services in Ohio, ensuring that every child has equitable access to the support they need. As the health landscape continues to evolve, initiatives like these are vital in creating a cohesive system that prioritizes the mental well-being of our young populations.

For more information on Trayt Health and their initiatives, visit trayt.health.