For More Information:

Kristin Reinsberg, MFT, ECMH Director; KristinR@jfcs.org; 650-688-3089

Early Childhood Mental Health

Jewish Family and Children's Services (JFCS) knows that supporting children and families early can help a child grow into a healthy adult. That’s why its Parents Place programs--in partnership with Day Care Consultants of UCSF, Family Service Agency of Marin County, Community Mental Health Services, and Parent Services Project--created the Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) Program.

Its mission is to improve the overall quality of childcare and increase the likelihood of healthy development of all children. Since 1996, the Early Childhood Mental Health Program has been training mental health consultants and placing them at childcare centers serving low-income families with at-risk children from birth to age 5. By establishing trusting, consistent relationships with childcare providers, consultants become part of the fabric of the childcare centers.

Prevention and Early Intervention

The program also works with childcare providers focusing on prevention and early intervention techniques, helping them learn to identify at-risk children. By doing so, the program ensures that the children and their families receive the special assistance they need to thrive.

Here is how the program works:

• The ECMH consultant meets with the school staff and the director to provide consultation and to assist in all aspects of program planning to improve the overall quality of the school program.
• Activities focus on inter-staff communication and implementing developmentally appropriate practices for the children.
• Case consultation enhances the provider's understanding, willingness to persevere, and ability to intervene effectively with a challenging child.

The consultant observes a particular child in a school program to assess the child's functioning and evaluate the match between the child's needs and the school setting. The consultant also meets regularly with the staff to provide developmental guidance, interpret the meaning of the child's behavior, suggest interventions appropriate to a group setting, and support the staff.