Infant Mental Health

The California Association for Infant Mental Health (CalAIMH) provides infant mental health professional development and advocates for the needs of all children ages pre-natal to five in the state of California. | More Information

California Center for Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health assists policymakers, funders and organizations to design and implement high quality practices that promote the healthy social and emotional development of children under the age of five. This website provides detailed information on professional endorsement criteria for Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health. | More Information

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Comprehensive set of research and resources including facts and data about ACES (adverse childhood experiences), risk factors, prevention strategies, case studies and questionnaires. | More Information

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) – UC Davis, is a positive and intensive treatment program designed to help both parents and children improve the quality of the parent-child relationship and to teach parents the necessary skills for managing children's behavioral problems. | More Information

Project ABC is a collaborative partnership among professionals in child welfare, mental health and community services designed to create a system of care for young children in Los Angeles County who would benefit from mental health services. | More Information

First 5 Center for Children’s Policy - Research report on escalating mental health needs of very young children in California, focusing on community-based programs in California supporting infants, toddlers, and preschoolers’ social-emotional health, as well as their goals, service models, and funding sources. | More Information

Center of Excellence for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Consultation - This is a national center dedicated to the which provides training, technical assistance and resource development for infant and early childhood mental health. | More Information

National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (NCSACW) is a national resource center providing information, consultation, training and technical assistance to child welfare, dependency court and substance use treatment professionals to improve the safety, permanency, well-being and recovery outcomes for children, parents and families. | More Information

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) is a network of frontline providers, family members, researchers, and national partners and is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and coordinated by the UCLA-Duke University National Center for Child Traumatic Stress (NCCTS). They provide clinical services, disseminate information, inform public policy, offer training programs and collaborate with systems of care. | More Information

The San Diego Early Childhood Mental Health Leaders Collaborative is a multidisciplinary group of people who are focused on the health and wellbeing of the children and families of San Diego County and the greater community. Every year the collaborative hosts a conference “We Can’t Wait” in September. | More Information

Trauma-Informed Practices for Early Childhood Educators: Relationship-Based Approaches that Support Healing and Build Resilience in Young Children, Nicholson, J., Perez, L. & Kurtz, J is a guide for parents and professionals for recognizing, preventing and healing childhood trauma. | More Information

Dr. Dan Seigal - UCLA clinical professor of psychiatry and executive director of the Mindsight institute which provides webinars on the interface of human relationships and basic biological processes. He is a prolific author and books not to be missed include The Power of Showing Up, The YES Brain, Parenting From The Inside Out and The Whole-Brain Child. | More Information

B.D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D. - Dr. Perry is the principal of the Neurosequential Network, a neurodevelopmental approach to clinical problem solving. He is a presenter known for his work on the impact of abuse, neglect and trauma on the developing brain. He’s authored several books on the topic including The Boy Who Was Raised As A Dog, Born For Love: Why Empathy Is Essential And Endangered and What Happened To You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing. | More Information

Santa Monica Public Library - A list of books created by the Santa Monica Public Library for children that address mental health and other common challenges, like dealing with painful experiences and coping with strong emotions. | More Information

Announcements

IDA Blog

Considering the Sibling Experience when Supporting Families in Early Intervention
Read More

Quality Incentive Program (QIP) - Early Intervention Services Directive released

The Department of Developmental Services Directive Here announced that the Quality Incentive Program is offering information on how Early Intervention providers can participate in the QIP measure. The Directive covers Eligibility Click Here and Here, Incentive Payment Processing Click Here, Conditions for a Provider to receive Incentive Payments.

The latest plan recognizes the need to have families/children enrolled in Early Start and is offering a fiscal incentive to programs. The plan HERE is different from information shared in the July, 2023 Presentation to the Interagency Coordinating Council and at the January 2024 ICC Meeting.

Steps to listing a program in the Statewide Provider Directory are not included in this Directive.

The QIP email to ask questions, share comments is [email protected]

ACTION NEEDED: Have you contacted your legislators?

Call to ACTION English Click Here in Spanish Here to let them know you are opposed to having a $1B proposed delay in implementing the rate increase to providers rates? Early Intervention providers have not had a rate adjustment. Thanks to The Arc California for offering this easy platform to communicate with legislators.

ACTION Needed to let the Members of the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 know why they need oppose the Proposed $1B budget delay for Rate Implementation

The Senate Budget SubCommittee #3 on Health and Human Services (Senate.ca.gov/calendar) is meeting on March 21st at 9:30AM at the State Capitol, Sacramento.

"We need you to amplify that we are asking the committee members to REJECT the Governor’s proposed $1 billion need to amplify that we are asking the committee members to REJECT the Governor’s proposed $1 billion in cut to funding for disability services and supports.

Where Does Early Intervention Stand in the Proposed Governor's Budget 2024-2025?

Governor Newsom released his proposed budget on January 10th. He is suggesting that providers of service through the Department of Developmental Services be prepared for a "delay" in the roll out of the rate model funds. You can have a conversation about what does delay mean .....a cut or not. Basically the funds are not going to be passed along to the providers as promised and planned.

Department of Developmental Services Announces Stakeholder Committee to Create Master Plan for Developmental Services

As mentioned in the Governor's proposed 2024-2025 Budget, the Department of Developmental Services will create a Master Plan with a March 2025 deadline. Yesterday Dr. Mark Ghaly announced the appointed Membership for the Master Plan Committee. Developmental Services Master Plan Stakeholder Committee Appointment (ca.gov) - link to go with Membership for the Master Plan
Their first meeting is scheduled for March 6th. Subcommittees are to be formed to increase input from all communities serving the populations involved with the system.

"The reality is that the developmental services system cannot, nor should it, operate in isolation given the changing needs of the consumers and families we serve today.” said CalHHS Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly. “This means we must proactively think about how we connect the dots between systems and sectors, while more intentionally integrating developmental services to our work to serve the whole needs of the individual and their families."

The purpose of the Master Plan is, "...since 2019, the number of Californians served by the developmental services system has grown by 31%, with significant growth among children under the age of 22 who have an Autism diagnosis. Today, over 400,000 Californians receive services and supports through California’s 21 Regional Centers. Individuals who receive services today are more diverse and live longer. They face affordable housing shortages, lower rates of employment, and the challenges of accessing services from other systems and sectors to address their physical, social, and behavioral health needs. A 21st century developmental services system must increase its ability to provide culturally responsive services and to strengthen the accountability and standardization of the system so that it is easier for individuals and their families to navigate no matter where they live in California. "

Additional details in the 2/14/24 Press release:

CalHHS Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly Announces Stakeholder Committee to Create Master Plan for Developmental Services - California Health and Human Services

Early Intervention ACTION Step

In the Governor's proposed budget, he is indicating there should be a "delay" for one year of completing the fiscal roll out that was part of the rate model process.
This "delay" cut of one year of income impacts the ability of families to access services, programs to recruit and maintain adequate staff,etc.
Please take a moment to connect with your legislators about your concerns.

Take Action! Urge Legislators to Reject Delay of $1 Billion to Disability Services (p2a.co)

There are Budget hearings scheduled in the Assembly and the Senate. Input can be sent via email or in person.

You can watch the Assembly hearings here: https://www.assembly.ca.gov/todaysevents.
BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE NO. 2 ON HUMAN SERVICES
Wednesday, February 28
1:30 p.m. - State Capitol, Room 444
Developmental Services and Rehabilitation Programs
The Senate Hearings can be watched here: https://www.senate.ca.gov/calendar.
Additional details to be shared via IDA EBlasts.

IDA Policy Committee