Connecting for Kids: A Model for Fostering Collaboration Between Education and Pediatrics to Support Youth Behavioral Health

BACKGROUND: This paper introduces Connecting for Kids (C4K), a semi-structured facilitated dialogue designed to enhance collaboration between primary care and schools in support of children's behavioral health (BH). Cross-sector collaboration holds promise for improving health and academic outcomes while increasing access to services, yet these sectors remain strikingly siloed. While facilitators have been identified, there are few well-defined, accessible models available to build collaborative relationships across child-serving systems. THEORETICAL CONTRIBUTIONS: C4K offers a replicable process that supports interprofessional teams in strengthening relationships, clarifying roles, and aligning shared outcomes. Grounded in community expertise and research, C4K aims to build the collaborative relationships needed to support children's BH. IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY, PRACTICE, AND EQUITY: C4K has the potential to break down longstanding silos and strengthen integrated school health partnerships by defusing turf issues, enhancing trust and shared purpose, and streamlining communication. With its accessible structure and emphasis on systems-level change, C4K can promote equitable access to physical and BH services-particularly within under-resourced, high-stress contexts. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that C4K is a feasible, efficient strategy for bridging traditionally siloed systems and building sustainable infrastructure for collaboration to support children's BH.