Executive Director Matthew Melmed reflects on the passing of a passionate leader in infant and early childhood mental health.
On Saturday, March 13, 2020, the ZERO TO THREE family and the field of infant and early childhood mental health lost a leader, colleague and friend. Dr. Rebecca Shahmoon-Shanok was a long-time Board member of ZERO TO THREE, a Founding Director and Past-President of the New York Zero to Three Network, Founding Member of the Harris Professional Development Network, and most recently, Founding CEO and Academic Director of Collaborations for Growth. Dr. Shahmoon-Shanok passed surrounded by her family of causes unrelated to COVID-19.
Matthew Melmed, executive director of ZERO TO THREE, stated,
“I have known and worked with Rebecca for over 25 years. She had a special passion for babies and toddlers and an unyielding commitment to seeing that the professionals who served them had the best training and support. She tutored me on the importance of reflection, sensitivity, and compassion in dealing with the needs of our most challenged families and babies. She was a giant in our field who has been taken away from us well before her time. She was so full of life, energy, creativity, and passion. Words cannot express the sense of loss and grief so many of us experience at the news of her untimely passing.”
About ZERO TO THREE ZERO TO THREE works to ensure all babies and toddlers benefit from the family and community connections critical to their well-being and development. Since 1977, the organization has advanced the proven power of nurturing relationships by transforming the science of early childhood into helpful resources, practical tools and responsive policies for millions of parents, professionals and policymakers. For more information, and to learn how to become a ZERO TO THREE member, please visit zerotothree.org, facebook.com/zerotothree, or follow @zerotothree on Twitter.
