Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program

The ECMHC network provides consultation services that help support the social-emotional development and behavioral health of children in early education and care programs.

ECMH consultants provide guidance to programs, educators, and families on addressing the developmental, emotional, and behavioral challenges of infants and young children in early education settings.

Consulting for programs and providers

ECMH consultants can work in partnership with your program to:

• Design and put in place program policies, procedures, and practices that keep the social-emotional and behavioral health needs of children in mind.

• Strengthen early education and care environments to support social and emotional development.

• Strengthen skills to identify children with or at-risk for behavioral, developmental, or mental health difficulties.

• Change the curriculum and build behavior management skills to help children with a range of needs.

• Implement positive behavior interventions and supports using evidence-based practices, like the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) Pyramid Model.

• Build relationships with families to support children in the classroom and their homes.

• Develop strategies for staff self-care.

• Keep children in your program or family childcare.

ECMH Consultation Services may include:

• Classroom observations and strategies for creating supportive learning environments.

• Training and coaching for educators.

• Guidance for developing ongoing partnerships with families.

• Individual observation and assessments of children (with parental consent).

• Help with individualized behavior support plans for children, using input from parents and educators to prevent concerning behaviors.

• Referrals to community-based services that meet the basic needs of children and family (with parental consent).

Behavioral Health and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Resources

• The Massachusetts Pyramid Model website provides information on the Pyramid Model work happening throughout the Commonwealth.
• Collaborative for Academic and Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) promotes evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL) in education from preschool through high school. Through research, practice, and policy, CASEL collaborates to ensure all students become knowledgeable, responsible, caring, and contributing members of society.
• The Center on Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) promotes the social-emotional development and school-readiness of young children from ages 0-5. CSEFEL is a national resource center funded by the Office of Head Start and the Child Care Bureau, and produces research and evidence-based practices to early childhood programs across the country.
• Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a proactive approach to establishing the behavioral supports and the environment needed for students to achieve social, emotional, and academic success at school. Like the CSEFEL/Pyramid Model, PBIS is geared towards school-age and older students.