Offering no cost infant and early childhood mental health consultation services, supports and resources for all early learning and care providers in California
The California Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Network delivers consultation services, resources, and training activities for child care and early education center-based program staff, family child care providers, and family, friend, and neighbor caregivers.
California Conversations: Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
The statewide IECMHC Network will be hosting four separate convenings to share information and facilitate learning about the various components of the IECMHC system by featuring diverse perspectives, experiences and approaches to addressing and implementing these system components.
Each of these convenings are intended to highlight colleagues and programs providing IECMHC across California while growing our collective understanding of California’s current landscape, priorities and gaps.
Helpline
You can access “just in time” support by calling 1-877-524-2422 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialists and/or Consultants offer one-on-one support for timely, non-emergency guidance regarding specific questions or concerns related to infant, toddler, and young children’s social, emotional, and behavioral health.
Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) Consultation
The California Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Network is offering virtual consultation services at no cost to Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers across California.
If you care for the children of a family member, friend, or neighbor on a regular basis, then you can participate in FFN Consultation! If you are a service agency administrator, please share this exciting opportunity with FFN caregivers in your community.
Coming Soon: IECMHC Network Impact Page!
What is the impact of IECMHC Network services for child care and early education providers and programs in California? What do providers say about the support they receive and changes in their caregiving practices? Learn more about the reach and impact of the various IECMHC Network services by visiting our Impact Page!
Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) Caregiver
Individuals who care for the children of a family member, friend, or neighbor on a regular basis. FFN caregivers may care for the children of only one other family in addition to their own children. Family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) caregivers include grandparents, aunts and uncles, elders, adult siblings, friends, nannies, neighbors, and others who help families by providing child care. FFN care is not licensed by the State.
Services available to FFN Caregivers:
Family Child Care Home Providers (FCCH)
Providers who operate a child care program in their private home. Family child care home providers often enroll children of different ages, care for up to 14 children, depending on their license size, and are open non-standard hours. Family child care home providers are licensed by the State.
Services available to FCCH Providers:
Center-Based Programs
Facilities who provide care for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and/or school-age children. Center-based programs may be operated independently by an organization (i.e., private preschools) or contracted through local school districts, the State, or federal agencies. Center-based programs are licensed by the State.
Services available to Center-based programs:
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Our Approach
The IECMHC Network’s consultation services are designed to build the capacity of program staff and providers to foster the developmental, social, and emotional health and well-being of young children in their care. IECMHC Network consultants use a reflective practice approach to support program administrators, teachers, and providers while exploring problem-solving strategies within the context of infant and early childhood mental health. Consultation provides an opportunity to consider all relationships influencing young children’s well-being, both adult-child relationships and those between the adults caring for young children.
Areas of support include
- promoting positive mental health and social and emotional development;
- addressing behavior that providers find challenging or concerning;
- focusing on relationships and practices that buffer against stress and trauma; and
- developing a program culture that promotes the well-being of providers, young children, and families.
Network Expansion
In July 2021, the funding for the California Inclusion and Behavior Consultation (CIBC) Network project moved to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) as part of the Child Care Transition from the California Department of Education, Early Learning and Care Division (CDE/ELCD) to CDSS and additional funding was dedicated to expanding the Network. As part of this transition and expansion, CIBC was renamed the California Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Network. The IECMHC Network now offers an expanded suite of infant and early childhood mental health consultation resources and services to all early learning and care programs and providers across California at no cost.
