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What is Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health?

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) is the developing capacity from birth to 6 to experience, regulate, and express emotions; to form close relationships; and to explore the environment and learn, all in the context of family, community, and cultural expectations for young children.

Our work is grounded in the Diversity-Informed Tenets for Work with Infants, Children and Families (Tenets) which serves as a compass for operationalizing our policies and practices.

In Our September Newsletter

This month we're focusing on back-to-school and workforce development, all while continuing to focus on our Commonwealth’s youngest residents, their families and communities emphasizing the importance of a diversity-informed lens. 

 

       September is back-to-school month, and even though in years past, much excitement was palpable around this time, this year and our current circumstances have left us all filled with uncertainty. We would like to take a moment to acknowledge the impossible situation parents, educators, caregivers and children are in and how much this uncertainty can bring increased stress levels and mood changes. We are all struggling with the various elements this pandemic has brought on, such as financial distress, housing instability, difficulties coping and balancing work and children, increase in mood and anxiety disorders and the ongoing inequities impacting our families and communities.

       During these challenging times, centering on relationships and fostering positive connections with others in our life are ways that can make us feel loved and worthy. 

       As social isolation can make all of these added stressors feel even more unmanageable, for this newsletter we wanted to connect people to two resources: a digital back-to-school “care package” created by Big Life Journal, and Network of Care MA, a place to find further support if you, or people you know, are looking for help.

 

Caregiver Resource Corner

The resource below was created for all of us who touch the lives of young children, whether in our own families or families we work with, to help us all better understand trauma in young children.

 

Created in partnership by MassAIMH, MSPCC, and United Way, this webinar is an introduction to some ways to nurture young children's social emotional wellness and infant mental health using a relationship-focused, equity-centered, trauma-informed approach.

Click the image on the left to view the webinar.

 

What is MassAIMH Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement®?
MassAIMH Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement® is a credential that provides recognition of specialized knowledge and expertise for professionals working with or on behalf of families with young children. To learn more, click here!

MassAIMH invites applications for IECMH Endorsement® for 2021. 
If you work with or on behalf of young children (0-6 years of age) and their families, please complete this short survey to state your interest. 

 

The LAUNCH/MYCHILD Model has been formally recognized by the Association for Maternal and Child Health Program (AMCHP) as a Best Practice on their Innovation Station.  

The StrongStart Online Professional Development System (PDS) is a web-based "one stop center" for early educators that provides resources for their career growth. It includes a professional registry, and a Learning Management System where educators can take courses on their computer or mobile device.

Right now, courses are being offered around childcare re-opening.

The DC: 0-5 is a developmentally informed approach for assessing infants, toddlers and preschoolers. This tool classifies mental health and developmental disorders in children from birth through five years old considered in relationship to their families, culture and communities.

MA has been investing in bringing the DC: 0-5 to the state and has several workgroups focusing both on a statewide crosswalk and coordinated workforce training efforts.

Interested in getting trained in the DC: 0-5? Fill out the survey below to be notified of upcoming trainings.

The coronavirus pandemic has dramatically changed how we deliver education, health care, and other critical services to young children and their families. To support family-facing providers in their online work with children and families, Brazelton Touchpoints Center is offering a series of 6 free 1-hour webinars and an online learning community that will explore how to manage the challenges posed by virtual service delivery and share strategies providers have found for building and sustaining strong relationships with families virtually. Register today!

 
 
 

Are you interested in getting trained in the DC: 0-5?

 

Link not working? Sign up here!

Thank you!

Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

Contact Aditi Subramaniam

asubramaniam@mspcc.org

 

Massachusetts Department of Mental Health 

25 Staniford Street, Boston MA, 02118

Contact Andrea Gonçalves-Oliveira

andrea.goncalves-oliveira@massmail.state.ma.us

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