Moises Baron | President and CEO, San Diego Center for Children

In this enlightening eighty-second episode of The Gap Minders, we had the amazing opportunity to chat with Moises Baron, who is the President and CEO of the San Diego Center for Children!

In this excellent episode, Nancy and Charles are joined in the studio by Moises Baron, the President and CEO of the San Diego Center for Children. The center provides a wide range of mental health and educational services to children and youth with mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, spanning ages from 4 to 22, and includes support for families.

Hear Moises talks about his nine-year tenure at the center and the upcoming plans for his retirement, emphasizing the positive changes that have occurred during his leadership. He also shares his perspective on the challenges of leading an organization with such a long legacy and the need for transformation to adapt to the changing landscape of pediatric mental health.

This episode also delves into the evolving landscape of children’s mental health, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased divorce rates, information overload, and the effects of social media on young minds. There is a recognition of a pediatric mental health crisis, which predates the pandemic and the associated challenges in accessing care. This episode also touches on the significance of fun and play in childhood development and the need for holistic approaches that include arts, physical education, and recreational activities. The San Diego Center for Children’s approach focuses on prevention, early intervention, and a continuum of care tailored to individual needs.

Listen in as Moises discusses the importance of early identification, early intervention, and improving access to care for children. He emphasizes the need for a strategic, integrated approach to address these challenges effectively, mentioning the state’s investment of $4.2 billion in child and youth mental health. The shortage of mental health providers in San Diego is highlighted, along with the necessity to invest in workforce development to ensure that children receive the care they need.

An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Moises Baron. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:

• the presence of a pediatric mental health crisis, which predates the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors like increased divorce rates, information overload, and the impact of social media have all contributed
• The shortage in mental health providers is a barrier to providing adequate care for children with mental health issues and thus there is a need for investing in workforce development
• The importance of open conversations about mental health, especially in schools. Destigmatizing mental health discussions can help children feel more comfortable seeking help when they are struggling.
• the importance of strategic planning to ensure that the influx of resources and investments in pediatric mental health leads to sustainable and effective change.
• The answers to the rapid-fire questions

An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Moises, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.

Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.

If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Charles, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.

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