Mental Health Program

Early Childhood Mental Health Support Team
The Early Childhood Mental Health Support Team provides an array of services designed to help those who teach and care for young children promote children's healthy social and emotional development. Our approach is strength-based, relationship-centered, developmentally appropriate, and emotionally responsive. Our staff is comprised of licensed mental health professionals who are also knowledgable and experienced in early education and care.

Program Consultation
Mental health consultation is provided to early childhood programs to help staff and parents develop strategies to support children's healthy social and emotional development, meet their mental health needs, and promote pro-social behavior. Consultation can be provided on a regular basis (for example, monthly or bi-monthly) or as needed. Most often, consultation focuses on individual children and their behavior, but it may also involve discussion of broader program issues such as the environment and curriculum. Consultation typically involves a series of observations and conversations with staff, as well as consultation with a child's parents. Recommendations are developmentally appropriate and build on each child's strengths. Consultants are available to facilitate referrals for additional services and to help coordinate with other service providers.

Parent Support
We provide parent workshops, support groups, community-based parent consultations, and home visitation. Personalized, confidential support is also available on a fee-for-service basis through our ParentCoach services. In our work with parents, we strive to honor and strengthen the primary role parents play in children's lives, learn from their unique insights about their children, and partner with them in nurturing and promoting children's optimal development.

Fees
Many of our services are provided or may be funded through grant programs such as the Coordinated Community and Family Engagement (CFCE) and Family Networks. Services can also be contracted on an hourly basis, and workshops can be arranged (workshop rates will include preparation time). We are flexible and will do our best to set up a process that works for you.


For more information, please contact:

Barbara Finlayson
Director of Early Childhood Programs
413-586-4998 ext. 101
800-519-1882 ext. 101
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