NEW YORK — Healthfirst is launching a new pediatric care model that embeds community health workers directly into pediatric primary care practices to help close developmental and behavioral care gaps for children and families.
The not-for-profit health plan said the initiative will place community health workers in safety-net pediatric practices and federally qualified health centers to support developmental screenings, provide behavioral health support and connect families with resources at the point of care.
The program is designed to give families culturally and linguistically responsive support as they navigate developmental challenges, parenting stress and postpartum depression. Healthfirst said the model will launch in 2026 at three community pediatric practices in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan.
“The early years of a child’s life are the most critical window we have to improve long-term health outcomes, and yet for too long, pediatric care has focused on the physical health of a child in isolation rather than the holistic needs of the entire family when we know the environment of the child is critical in these early years. This model changes that,” said Maja Castillo, M.D., pediatric medical director and AVP at Healthfirst. “By bringing pediatricians and Community Health Workers together as a true care team, we are addressing postpartum depression, parenting stress, and a child’s developmental needs in a way that is both clinically meaningful and sustainable.”
Healthfirst is developing the model in collaboration with Boston Medical Center’s TEAM UP Scaling and Sustainability Center, NYC REACH, NYC Health + Hospitals and The Community Health Worker Institute at Montefiore.
The initiative combines Healthfirst’s community health worker model, which supports children ages 0 to 6 and their families in meeting developmental milestones, with Boston Medical Center’s TEAM UP model. TEAM UP integrates behavioral health clinicians and community health workers into pediatric primary care practices to provide behavioral health services.
“Through this collaboration with Healthfirst, we can create a sustainable, comprehensive support system that provides care to families as a whole — from behavioral health to physical healthcare needs,” said Anita Morris, NP, executive director of the TEAM UP Scaling and Sustainability Center at Boston Medical Center. “By integrating Community Health Workers into pediatric primary care practices, we can provide families with expanded access to essential resources, developmental screenings, postpartum support, and more. Together we can ensure that we’re meeting the needs of the families we serve.”
Healthfirst said the effort is intended to create a more continuous approach to pediatric developmental and mental health support, particularly for families in historically underserved communities.
“Scaling the Community Health Worker model within pediatric practices is key to closing the care gaps that have continued to persist in historically underserved communities across New York City,” said Ernesto Fana, MPA, executive director of NYC REACH. “Through this initiative and our collaboration with Healthfirst, we can expand access to critical services, ensuring more families receive the support they need and deserve.”
In 2026, Healthfirst also plans to pilot a pediatric community health worker training program developed with input from NYC Health + Hospitals, The Community Health Worker Institute at Montefiore and Boston Medical Center’s TEAM UP Center.
The company said the program will help community health workers operate at the top of their professional scope while expanding their role in pediatric primary care teams. The initiative uses New York State’s Medicaid community health worker services benefit for children under 21, which took effect in 2024.
The pediatric community health worker initiative is supported by multi-year grants from Robin Hood and the Carmel Hill Fund.
