Victoria M. Rizzo, PhD, School of Social Welfare, University at Albany, State University of New York, Richardson Hall, 135 Western Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, 518-437-3695, vmrizzo@albany.edu, Terry Mizrahi, PhD, College of Social Work, Hunter College, 129 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021, and Kristen Kirkland, MSW, School of Social Welfare, University at Albany, Richardson hall, 135 Western Avenue, Albany, NY 12222.

In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the delivery of primary care services to underserved and unserved populations. This paper presents a sub-set of data from a larger exploratory study that examined how three professional groups (social workers, physicians and administrators) in neighborhood health centers perceived the type and extent of psychosocial problems in their patient populations, and the roles of their staff in addressing these problems. We examined the perceptions of physicians, administrators, and social workers as to who handles various psychosocial problems, and whose responsibility it is to perform a range of psychosocial functions with a focus on the function of social work. Social workers were highly praised and valued by administrators and physicians. While the respondents in neighborhood health centers confirmed the value of social work, public and private funders are reluctant to acknowledge and reimburse for social services beyond limited clinically diagnosed mental health services. Outcomes studies focused on the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of social work practice in NHCs are necessary to begin to overcome this barrier to social work services.

Learning Objectives:

• As a result of this session, participants will be able to identify the types, and extent, of psychosocial problems that administrators, social workers, and physicians are reporting for the patients they serve in neighborhood health centers.
• As a result of this session, participants will be able to identify the roles that social workers play in helping the health care team and patients in neighborhood health centers identify and address psychosocial problems that impact the health outcomes for these patients.
• As a result of this session, participants will acquire the knowledge necessary to understand the reimbursement barriers for social work services in neighborhood health centers and the importance of outcomes studies of the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of social work practice in breaking down these barriers.

Keywords: Community Health Centers, Primary Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.