The Problem 

Infant and early childhood mental health consultation (IECMHC) is an evidence-based intervention for supporting young children’s social-emotional development. It teams a mental health professional with early care and education professionals to improve children’s social, emotional and behavioral health. However, many child care providers may not have access to or may not know how to get the most out of a mental health consultant.  

One Solution 

The National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness (NCECHW) recently updated its resources on Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and Your Program. These resources are helpful for anyone who wants to explore what IECMHC is and how to implement it in your program. Though many of the resources are Head Start-focused, the information is applicable to child care providers. 

The resources include: 

• An Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Toolbox. The toolbox was developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 
• Newsletters that explore 

• What is Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation, including the outcomes associated with IECMHC for children, families and staff. 
• What’s New in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation? 

• A link to the Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation, part of the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development.

There’s also a guide to finding a mental health provider in your community. 

You can find Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and Your Program on the NCECHW portal of the Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center (ECLKC). 

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