For More Information:

Benna Norman, MFT, 415-449-1249, BennaN@jfcs.org

Early Childhood Mental Health

We know that supporting children and families early can help a child grow into a healthy adult. That's why Parents Place created the Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) Program: to improve the overall quality of childcare and increase the likelihood of healthy development of all children. Since 1996, the program has been training mental health consultants and placing them at childcare centers serving low-income families with at-risk children ages birth to 5 years. By establishing trusting, consistent relationships with childcare providers, consultants become part of the fabric of the childcare centers.

The Program

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

The ECMH consultant meets with the school staff and the director to provide program consultation and 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. The consultant works with staff and parents to design support and educational activities--arranging for or leading workshops about specific topics, facilitating discussions, and providing one-on-one consultation, as requested.

The consultant also provides direct intervention with children and families. It may include providing developmental guidance, exploring more appropriate child-rearing practices, encouraging understanding and mutual support between parents and school staff, and offering short-term therapeutic intervention. If the consultant determines a need for longer-term help, he or she refers the family to appropriate specialists.

Once services are in place, the consultant can, with the parent's permission, act as a liaison between the mental health clinician and the staff, relaying information that enhances the staff's ongoing understanding and work with the particular child.