Policy Resource

Advancing Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health: The Integration of DC:0-5™ Into State Policy and Systems

Download Files Jul 31, 2018

By Amanda Szekely, Cindy Oser, Julie Cohen, and Therese Ahlers

Accurate identification of a mental health disorder for a young child is only possible with a developmentally appropriate diagnostic classification system.

In this paper, we explore how states are integrating an age-appropriate diagnostic classification, DC:0-5™: Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood (DC:0-5) into state policy and systems. DC:0-5 published by ZERO TO THREE in December 2016, is a tool used by clinicians to accurately diagnose and classify infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) disorders. Adopting DC:0-5 as a standard of practice can be an effective strategy for (a) improving access to IECMH services and supports and (b) improving outcomes for children, and many states are pursuing this approach.

  • Author

    Amanda Szekely

    Senior Advocacy Partnerships Manager

    2028572644

  • Author

    Cindy Oser

    Contributer

  • Author

    Julie Cohen

    Associate Director, ZERO TO THREE Policy Center

    2028572977

  • Author

    Therese Ahlers

    Senior Technical Assistance Specialist

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