Join WestEd’s Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Network at Child Care Aware of America’s 2025 Symposium in Arlington, VA on May 4–7. This year’s theme is: Child Care Strong: From Problems to Progress.
National, state, and local child care leaders; advocates; and changemakers will come together to sharpen their skills and seize this pivotal moment to make high-quality, affordable child care available to all children.
WestEd Presentation
Empowering Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers through Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
This session highlights the vital role of Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers in early childhood care and introduces an innovative consultation model to strengthen Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) support. Panelists from the IECMHC Network will discuss the unique strengths and challenges FFN caregivers face—such as navigating family dynamics, building peer networks, and accessing formal support—and how culturally responsive, relationship-based virtual consultations can meet their needs. Attendees will learn about the design and early outcomes of a pilot FFN consultation model shaped by deep stakeholder engagement, with the goal of empowering these essential yet often overlooked caregivers. A Q&A will follow the presentation.
Date & Time: May 5, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Speakers: Jennifer Miller, Jana Stassi, and Silvia Velarde
California’s Blueprint to Success: Implementing an Innovative Statewide Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant Training Program
Attendees will hear from experts who developed and implemented a statewide Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Consultant Training Program. Panelists will discuss key phases—development, design, and implementation—sharing successes, challenges, and effective strategies for mental health professionals and system leaders. The session concludes with a 15-minute Q&A, allowing attendees to engage directly, seek advice, and address potential challenges in their own initiatives.
Date & Time: May 7, 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Speakers: Jennifer Miller, Debbie-Reno Smith, and Sujata Bansal
Don’t miss out on these exciting sessions!