Communities of Support

Reflective Spaces for Child Care and Early Education Providers

Community of Support (CoS) Groups

The California Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Network offers virtual groups for child care and early education providers across California to reflect on their work with young children and their families while building connections across the early learning community. 

The goal of the Community of Support Series is to provide a consistent and supportive space for child care and early education providers from various backgrounds to share their experiences and explore their strengths, stressors, and hopes for themselves and the children and families in their care.

There are a variety of group themes aimed at exploring and reflecting on the complexities of caring for young children and their families. Groups are offered in English and Spanish. Two of our groups, Caregiver Well-Being and Reflective Healing, are designed for family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) caregivers and family child care home (FCCH) providers. 

The following group themes are available through June 2027:

What should I expect joining a Community of Support (CoS) group?

By joining a CoS group, you will have the opportunity to hear the experiences of other caregivers and share your stories and thoughts about topics discussed throughout the group series. Groups are highly interactive and are facilitated by an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant or Specialist. 

• Providers have the opportunity to earn stipends up to $125 and may receive a kit of educational materials and resources for participating in a CoS group. 
• Home-Based providers may participate in up to two CoS group themes per year but are only eligible to receive incentives once per fiscal year. 
• Priority registration is given to first-time participants. 
• Center-Based sites may have up to 10 of their teachers/staff participate per fiscal year. If space becomes available, Center-Based staff may have the opportunity to engage in additional group offerings. 
• Cameras are required to be on for the first session in order to promote community building and foster emotional safety of the group.

Information Sessions

If you still have questions about the CoS group series and would like to learn more, please join us at an upcoming Information Session.

Community of Support Group Themes