Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health

The purpose of the California Association for Infant Mental Health (CalAIMH), launched at the Zero to Three conference in 2017, is to bring together as a common voice organizations and…

The California Center for Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health assists policymakers, funders and organizations to design and implement high-quality practices that promote the healthy social and emotional development of…

“The California Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Network is a professional development project funded by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Child Care and Development Division,…

IECMHC is a prevention-based approach that pairs a mental health consultant with adults who work with infants and young children in the different settings where they learn and grow, such…

The Central California Children’s Institute developed and implemented a multi-county, multidisciplinary training program for professionals already working with families with young children.

Early childhood experiences can strengthen or disrupt a young child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development, with consequences that can last a lifetime. This video spotlights the importance of integrating support…

On June 14, the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Education (ED) issued a Dear Colleague Letter and four recommendations to state, territorial, tribal, and local policymakers and…

This briefing paper explores Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health policies and practices that state early intervention (Part C) programs may consider implementing to meet the social-emotional and mental health…

Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center provides a set of free, curated resources that address the social-emotional well-being of young children from birth to five. Visit this site to learn more…

Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the mental health of children, families, and staff every day. Early childhood mental health is the same as social and emotional well-being.…

“First 5 leads statewide efforts to champion the complex needs of young children and their families through strong, effective and proven systems of care.  The Help Me Grow system has been…

Help Me Grow is a system that connects at-risk children with the services they need. HMG is an efficient and effective system — with a proven track record — that…

Offers no cost infant and early childhood mental health consultation services, supports and resources for all early learning and care providers in California The California Infant and Early Childhood Mental…

The Infant Development Association of California (IDA) is a multidisciplinary organization of parents and professionals committed to optimal developmental and positive social and emotional outcomes for infants, birth to three,…

 “Infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH), or healthy social-emotional development in very young children, develops in the context of family, community, and cultural expectations. Culture—the shared implicit and explicit…

Infographics created by the Parent-Infant Foundation of the United Kingdom explain the definition of infant mental health, why it matters and why relationships between parents and their babies are so…

The National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) is funded by the Office of Special Education Programs to improve and support the capacity of state systems and local programs to…

Nationwide, grantees are pioneering new ways to promote young child wellness through Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health), a federal initiative funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental…

This synthesis has been developed to answer some of the most frequently asked questions that early childhood providers have about Infant Mental Health (IMH) – early social and emotional development…

Emotional Well-Being: Children who are healthy in mind, body, and heart can thrive in every way. Mental health IS health! Sesame Street Workshop has a wealth of resources to support…

Everyone has big feelings sometimes… and grown-ups can share helpful ways for children to move through them. In this video, watch Elmo’s daddy show that feelings matter. Then you can print out…

This soothing and engaging song celebrates the important relationships between children and their trusted grown-ups. You’ll find links to other resources supporting emotional well-being here as well.

When you listen to your child, share joyful moments, and offer comfort, support, and love, you’re helping them build a foundation of emotional well-being. The most important thing you can…

What Mental Health Issues Look Like in Little Kids

“IECMH is the developing capacity of the infant/young child to form close and secure relationships; experience, manage, and express a full range of emotions; and explore the environment and learn—all in the…

When parents and caregivers receive the support they need to foster close connections and healthy relationships with their babies, they are able to serve as a buffer against the impacts…