Virtual pediatric behavioral health provider Fort Health is making significant progress in its mission to expand mental health services for children and adolescents. The New York City-based company has secured a $5.5 million funding round, led by Twelve Below and Vanterra, bringing its total funding to $16 million. This investment will support pediatric behavioral health expansion into Texas and Illinois in January 2025.
In addition to funding, Fort Health has formed a strategic partnership with NovaWell, an affiliate of Horizon Healthcare Services. This collaboration will accelerate the company’s pediatric behavioral health expansion by allowing Fort Health to integrate with pediatric provider groups and hospitals in its new markets. CEO Natalie Schneider emphasized that the company follows a partner-first, expand-after strategy, ensuring that each new market has a payer or hospital system in place before launching services.
A Proven Strategy for Pediatric Behavioral Health Expansion
Fort Health’s pediatric behavioral health expansion model has already proven successful. In New Jersey, where the company had its first full year of operations in 2023, over 30% of pediatricians have referred patients to Fort Health at least once. The company’s collaborative care model, which integrates pediatricians into the treatment process, is a key factor in its success.
Currently, Fort Health offers therapy, psychiatry, and parent coaching services in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The company plans to expand into two to four new states per year while continuing to strengthen its market presence in existing locations. Schneider’s goal is to achieve 25% to 30% penetration for mild to moderate pediatric behavioral health conditions in every state Fort Health enters.
Meeting Investor Expectations in a Competitive Landscape
Securing this latest round of funding was no easy task. Schneider noted that while this was technically a seed extension round, it felt more like a Series A, as investors required strong traction, product-market fit, and a high-quality team. Despite the challenges, Fort Health successfully highlighted its unique go-to-market strategy and collaborative care model, which set it apart from competitors in the pediatric behavioral health expansion space.
Unlike many digital mental health companies, Fort Health does not operate in isolation. Instead, it partners with pediatricians, who refer patients and remain involved in their care journey. This approach ensures continuity of care and regulatory compliance, making Fort Health more resilient to policy changes such as the Ryan Haight Act.
Strengthening Pediatrician Involvement for Sustainable Growth
A major differentiator for Fort Health is its ability to leverage pediatricians as an untapped resource in its pediatric behavioral health expansion strategy. Pediatricians are already trusted by families and can provide seamless referrals to Fort Health’s licensed therapists, psychiatrists, and parent coaches. Once a referral is made, Fort Health matches patients with a care team clinician, who conducts an evaluation and develops a personalized treatment plan. The pediatrician stays informed and, when necessary, prescribes medication, ensuring a cohesive treatment experience.
By keeping pediatricians at the center of care, Fort Health enhances early intervention efforts, improves care coordination, and streamlines access to quality behavioral health services. These factors are essential for successful pediatric behavioral health expansion and long-term growth.
The Future of Pediatric Behavioral Health Expansion
Schneider envisions a future where Fort Health plays a critical role in value-based care contracting with insurers. By integrating pediatricians into the behavioral health care system, the company offers payers a scalable and efficient model that improves mental health outcomes for children and adolescents.
“If we do our job well, we will be able to move the needle on population health and reduce the incidence of suicide, substance use disorders (SUDs), and eating disorders,” Schneider stated.
With a solid funding foundation, strong market penetration strategy, and pediatrician-driven care model, Fort Health is well-positioned for continued pediatric behavioral health expansion. As it grows, the company remains committed to increasing access to high-quality mental health care—one state at a time.
