“I want to transform mental healthcare for children and families by making sure that primary care providers have the knowledge to use the latest advances. That’s a revolution in healthcare.” 

This is how Dr. Peter Jensen, MD, explains his motivation for founding The REACH Institute in a moving video interview with AARP. That revolution was honored on October 25, when Dr. Jensen and The REACH Institute received the 2024 AARP Purpose Prize at an inspiring awards ceremony in Washington, DC. 

This one-of-a-kind national award recognizes inspiring nonprofit founders aged 50-plus and reinforces the important message that it’s never too late to change the world or, in this case, children’s mental health care. 

REACH in the News

• School Avoidance Trends: In a two-part interview with Contemporary Pediatrics (check out part one and part two), REACH faculty member Dr. James Wallace, MD, shares critical insights into the negative effects of school avoidance. He also explains how primary care providers and parents can identify early signs of social and separation anxiety.

• The Future of ADHD Research: In a new article for ADDitude magazine, REACH Founder, Dr. Peter Jensen, MD, explores how neuroimaging, epigenetic research, and non-pharmacologic interventions are improving our understanding of ADHD – and may offer new future treatments. 



• ADHD Pioneers: ADDitude magazine asked leaders in the field of ADHD – including REACH’s own Dr. Peter Jensen, MD – to share the researchers, studies, and leaders who influenced them in their careers.

2023 Scholarship Awardees - Round 2

Our second cohort of 2023 scholarship recipients includes 10 incredible pediatric primary care providers. These providers serve disadvantaged communities across the country, from urban Philadelphia to rural Idaho to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. After participating in our Patient-Centered Mental Health in Pediatric Primary Care (PPP) program, they’ll be confident in diagnosing and treating common mental health conditions in children and youth. 

Upcoming Trainings

• New Course: Practical Behavior Management: We are excited to launch a new, one-day course to give pediatric primary care providers a firm foundation in practical behavior management. In a dynamic workshop, scheduled for January 26, 2024, providers will learn to assess disruptive behavior disorders and implement behavior management strategies into their busy practices.



• Training Scholarships for Atlanta Providers: We are thrilled to be able to offer scholarships for Atlanta-based providers for two upcoming sessions of our Patient-Centered Mental Health in Pediatric Primary Care (PPP) training. We have two dedicated sessions for early 2024, so if you know any pediatric primary care providers please encourage them to apply here!

Lisa Hunter Romanelli, PhD

CEO, The REACH Institute

It’s not often that nonprofits are recognized with national awards. Most of the time, we’re honoring and promoting others, like the group of standout pediatricians and pediatric primary care providers who received our latest PPP training scholarships, profiled above. 

This is just one reason why we here at REACH are so proud of the AARP Purpose Prize awarded to our founder, Dr. Peter Jensen, and to REACH and our mission to increase access to evidence-based mental health care for children. As Peter shared in his interview with AARP, making change at any age requires passion and long-term commitment.