Foundations of Well-being: Financing Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Services and Supports for Families in Child Welfare, is the second in a series exploring how to strengthen infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) in child welfare systems.
Why it matters: Babies’ earliest relationships shape lifelong health, yet infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) services remain underfunded and fragmented, especially for families in or at risk of child welfare.
The big picture: This brief maps 13 major federal funding streams that can be leveraged to build a full continuum of IECMH services, from prevention to treatment. It shows how states can braid resources, navigate matching requirements and avoid gaps in care.
The bottom line: To change the trajectory for babies and families, leaders must align funding with need. Smarter use of existing dollars can make IECMH services sustainable and accessible for all.
