Abstract
ObjectiveTo examine the usage of a standardized screening tool bundle in guiding care recommendations within a regional coordinated access service (1Call1Click.ca) for children, youth and their families seeking mental health, addictions, and substance use health (MHASUH) care. To explore how the screening tools align with each other and with Level of Need, an assigned designation used to indicate acuity, needs, and guide service recommendations.MethodBetween May 31, 2021, and December 31, 2023, 8,280 clients aged 6-21 were administered the CASH screening tool bundle (CASH is an acronym for the included screening tools, the CRAFFT, Ask Suicide Questions {ASQ}, HEADS-ED (Over 6 and Under 6) and assigned a Level of Need (used to describe acuity and guide referrals). We describe the most common needs, correlations between Level of Need and each screening tool, and agreement between the HEADS-ED Domains of Suicidality and Drugs and alcohol with the ASQ and CRAFFT screening tools.ResultsWe observe a significant moderate correlation (r(8,280) = .507, p < .001) between the total HEADS-ED score and the assigned Level of Need and significant differences in HEADS-ED total score between each Level of Need (F(4, 8,275) = 766.810, p < .001). Additionally, ASQ and CRAFFT results align with the Suicidality and Drugs and alcohol domains of the HEADS-ED. Referrals were accepted by services at a rate of 94.4%.ConclusionThe CASH screening tool bundle is effective for screening child and youth MHASUH concerns. The HEADS-ED can give a non-specialist healthcare provider an overview of the nature and acuity of child and youth MHASUH and guide the application of more specialized tools included in the bundle. Used as described in this manuscript, the standardized screening bundle is a useful means for assessing needs and guiding referrals to specialized care, including in-depth specialized assessments.