Emerging Leadership Awards
Trailblazing recipients were honored for their innovative work in infant and early childhood mental health.
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Dr. Janina E. Fariñas, PhD, Psy, LPC,
Founder and CEO,
La Cocina
Practice Award
Dr. Fariñas is the founder and CEO of La Cocina, a nonprofit offering culturally affirming training and mental health services. With expertise in pediatric neuropsychology and liberation psychology, she develops innovative approaches to address sociopolitical challenges affecting Latino communities. She created La Cocina’s Liberation-Based Reflective Consultation® framework and serves on ZERO TO THREE’s IECMH Clinical Workforce Diversity Collective.
Sarah Barclay Hoffman, Program Manager, Children’s National Hospital;
Policy Director,
Early Childhood Innovation Network
Policy Award
At Children’s National Hospital, Ms. Hoffman manages community mental health initiatives and advocates for equitable early childhood mental health policies. She has secured funding to expand access to developmental and mental health care for families in Washington, DC. Her expertise spans perinatal mental health, pediatric primary care integration and public systems reform.
Dr. Diana Morelen, PhD,
Associate Professor,
East Tennessee State University
Research Award
Dr. Morelen is an associate professor of psychology at East Tennessee State University and a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in perinatal and infant mental health. She aims to stem the intergenerational transmission of trauma through evidence-based prevention and intervention programs. She integrates trauma-informed, relationship-based approaches to promote resilience and well-being for communities and professionals.
