Mental Health Referrals for Children and Families
This resource has tips for finding mental health providers, developing partnerships with them, and referring children and families to their services.
Mental Health
Head Start programs support the mental health of children, families, and staff every day. Early childhood mental health is the same as social and emotional well-being. It is a child’s developing capacity to express and regulate emotions, form trusting relationships, explore, and learn—all in the cultural context of family and community. The mental health of children and the adults that care for them is essential for school readiness.
Understanding Mental Health Consultation in Head Start Programs
Use this resource to learn more about mental health consultation and how to find a consultant who meets your Head Start program’s unique needs.
Foundations of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
Learn important information about the foundations of infant and early childhood mental health consultation in this course available on the Individualized Professional Development (iPD) Portfolio.
How Mental Health Consultants Support Child Care Programs
Infant and early childhood mental health consultants work with the adults in children’s lives to support social-emotional development. Learn how a child care program can benefit from working with a mental health consultant.
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation: Information for Families
This tip sheet for families explores how mental health consultants help adults build strong relationships with children. Consultants can help families address concerns about children's social-emotional development.
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation: Engaging with Families
Explore how infant and early childhood mental health consultants can use this resource to guide their family engagement work with early childhood professionals and families.
Facilitating a Referral for Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families
Head Start program staff are required to work in partnership with families to ensure they have access to any needed mental health services. This brief is designed to: (1) provide guidance for Head Start program staff to identify mental health providers who best meet a family's needs, culture, and personality, and (2) offer ideas to overcome access barriers.
1302.45 Supports for mental health and well-being.
Head Start programs must use a multidisciplinary approach to support a program-wide culture that promotes children’s mental health, social and emotional well-being, and overall health and safety.
"My 1st Year" and "Discovering Feelings" Books
"My 1st Year" and "Discovering Feelings" Books can be used by parents, caregivers and consultants. They are designed to help adults better understand a baby's development, recognize important milestones and in helping to label a young child’s feelings.
Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation: Materials for Families
All young children benefit when their caregivers are healthy and not too stressed or depressed. Explore practical tools to help caregivers build positive relationships with their infants, toddlers, and preschoolers and reduce stress.