Source: The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning 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 – and the IMH system. It also provides information about where to turn for additional information for promoting IMH when children and families are experiencing challenges. Click here to download a pdf of this Research Synthesis.

Source: Early Head Start This publication will provide guidance to program leaders and staff members for planning, carrying out, and assessing their infant-toddler mental health services. Click here to download a pdf of this guide.

Source: National Center for Cultural Competence Health and human service organizations are recognizing the need to enhance services for culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Assessing attitudes, practices, policies and structures of administrators and service providers is a necessary, effective and systematic way to plan for and incorporate cultural competence within an organization. Determining the needs, preferences and satisfaction of family members/consumers is an essential aspect of this process. The Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), through its Title V–Children With Special Health Care Needs programs (CSHCN), supports self-assessment as a tool that assists with the development of State Block Grant applications. The MCHB also emphasizes self-assessment as a key strategy to address Goal III, Objective 3.9—To increase the percentage of states that implement culturally competent policies, practices and procedures to 100%. Click here to download this Tool.Click here to download a Guide for implementing this Tool.

Infant Mental Health Journal The Infant Mental Health Journal publishes peer review research articles, program description/evaluations, clinical studies, and book reviews that focus on infant social emotional development, caregiver-infant interactions, contextual and cultural influences on infant and family development.

Source: UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities This executive summary draws on existing research findings and makes policy recommendations for how to structure and implement mental health care systems that work with infants and families. Click here to download a pdf of this executive summary.

Source: University of California, Berkeley – National Abandoned Infants AssistanceResource Center This session discusses adapting infant mental health treatment approaches to working with families and children affected by substance abuse to promote a stronger relationship between parent and child, and to strengthen and support the parent’s recovery. Facilitating the integration of the child’s developmental needs into service delivery and collaboration with substance abuse treatment staff are also be highlighted. Click here to listen to this presentation.

Source: University of California, Berkeley – National Abandoned Infants AssistanceResource Center This session provides an overview of infant mental health and clinical practice. The process for assessing and diagnosing very young children is discussed, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of using mental health diagnoses. A brief overview is also presented of the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood- Revised Edition system, which is designed to identify, conceptualize, and diagnose emotional and behavioral difficulties experienced by very young children and their families. Click here to listen to this presentation.

Source: The National Academy for State Health Policy and The Commonwealth Fund A report on the ABCD II Consortium, formed in January 2004, to provide five states with an opportunity to develop and test strategies for improving the care of young children at risk for or with social or emotional development delays, especially those in need of preventive or early intervention services. Click here to download this report.

Source: Georgetown University National Technical Assistance Center for Children’sMental Health and Johns Hopkins University Women’s and Children’s Health Policy Center and Portland State University Research and Training Center on FamilySupport and Children’s Mental Health The purpose of this tool kit is to increase the capacity for high-quality evaluation of early childhood mental health consultation (ECMHC) in community based settings. For states, communities, programs, and grant funded projects that are developing or have developed early childhood mental health consultation programs and want to assess their impact, this tool kit provides guidance, tools, and resources that will assist in designing and implementing program evaluations. Click here to download a pdf of this Tool Kit.