Background: Pediatric primary care is an ideal setting to prevent mental and behavioral health disorders given the high frequency of contacts through well-child visits birth to age 5. Bjelland et al have detailed that childhood mental and behavioral health have strong associations with adult well-being1. As such, early detection and intervention is key to addressing the secondary effects of behavioral health issue; however, many barriers, such as family circumstances and lack of awareness of behavioral health programs, hinder successful access to behavioral healthcare resources in pediatric practice2. The goal of this study was to examine the perspectives of families with young children on barriers to accessing behavioral health care and how to improve access. Methods: Semi-structured one-on-one virtual interviews were used to qualitatively explore the perspectives of families with young children regarding access to behavioral healthcare. Participants were recruited from the CHP-Primary Care Center (PCC) in Oakland, a clinic serving a high proportion of Medicaid-eligible families (>85%). Interviews focused on thoughts and experiences related to accessing behavioral healthcare for children, with demographic information collected at the end of each interview. Deductive and inductive methods were used to develop a codebook followed by content and thematic analysis techniques to identify recurring themes and patterns, utilizing the program Nvivo. Results: Participants included 27 caregivers (M age=30.7, SD=6.3) of at least one child under the age of 5. Eleven percent of caregivers identified as Hispanic. Seventy percent identified as African American and 30% as white. Forty-four percent reported an income below 40k and 48% were employed full-time. The analysis of the interviews revealed several interconnected barriers that families face when accessing behavioral healthcare for their young children, categorized into logistical, financial, and psychosocial challenges. Logistical barriers included 1) childcare, 2) time, 3) transportation, and 4) employment-related issues. Financial barriers were evident in the form of 1) inadequate insurance coverage, and 2) broader financial constraints that made affording care difficult. Psychosocial barriers included 1) education and understanding of behavioral health issues and 2) pride and stigma, which deterred some parents from seeking care due to concerns about judgment. Conclusions: These findings underscore the need for a multifaceted approach addressing the diverse challenges families face in accessing behavioral healthcare services for their children. Comprehensive solutions must consider both systemic and individual factors, such as improving insurance coverage and financial support, enhancing public transportation options, and providing flexible appointment scheduling, while also advising initiatives aimed at increasing education about behavioral health and reducing stigma. Addressing these barriers in a coordinated manner could significantly enhance access to behavioral healthcare services for young children.