Consulting

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) is an opportunity to promote mental health awareness, prevention, early identification, and referrals for treatment of children and families with mental health concerns. Consultants develop a culture of mental health in child care programs by building the adults’ capacity to strengthen and support the healthy social and emotional development of young children.

As an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation my goal (IECMHC) is to promote mental health awareness, prevention, early identification, and referrals for treatment of children and families with mental health concerns. Through consultation I  help develop a culture of mental health in child care programs by building the adults’ capacity to strengthen and support the healthy social and emotional development of young children. 

Some of the ways that this is accomplished is:

• Child- and Family-Focused Consultation: The consultant builds relationships and collaborates respectfully with families and staff to understand and respond to the mental health needs of infants, young children, and families. They provide support for children with behavioral difficulties or developmental challenges. The consultant helps support the overall well-being of children and families.
• Consultation in Classrooms and Family Child Care Homes: The consultant partners with families and staff to promote equitable, warm, and trusting relationships. They help children and adults build strong relationships by suggesting approaches like safe environments, consistent schedules and routines, and age-appropriate social and emotional strategies.
• Consultation in Programs: The consultant works with administrators and staff on the program’s social and emotional climate, culture of wellness, and focus on equity for infants, young children, and families.
• Professional Development Needs of Staff: The consultant assesses the training needs and interests of a program to provide tailored professional development for staff. The consultant may help to develop or facilitate communities of learning, which provide opportunities for self-reflection and peer-to-peer support in programs.