Rather than providing therapy directly to an individual child or family, IECMH consultation is a preventive, relationship-based approach that can be integrated within any sector of the early childhood system. A mental health professional partners with early childhood professionals to strengthen their ability to understand children’s behavior, respond to their needs consistently and promote healthy social and emotional development and strengthen overall mental health and wellness.
IECMH consultation is most commonly associated with child care settings and early learning programs, where it can help professionals address behaviors they find challenging and create more supportive and nurturing environments for young children and caregivers. Increasingly, IECMHC is expanding into the many systems that touch the lives of babies, young children and families, including:
Developed by ZERO TO THREE, these resources provide practical tools and guidance to help professionals understand, build and strengthen infant and early childhood mental health consultation (IECMHC) programs and systems.
Understand the foundations and potential of IECMH consultation.
See how IECMH consultation can work across the early childhood system.
Use this interactive tool to estimate the cost of providing IECMH consultation. Customize program details to compare scenarios and support planning and budgeting.
A helpful resource to identify the knowledge, skills and experiences that make IECMH providers feel informed and prepared.
Explore how states are using legislation to establish, strengthen and expand infant and early childhood mental health consultation.
Find tools, resources, training and technical assistance to support high-quality IECMH consultation programs and systems.
