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Spring is Here!

The Spring Equinox marks the first day of astronomical spring. This year, it falls on Tuesday, March 19th, and will continue until the summer solstice. In nature, spring is a time for new beginnings and transformations; it's a hopeful season that symbolizes starting fresh. Happy Spring!

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SAVE THE DATE!

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

CT-AIMH 20th Annual Spring Conference


May 30th 2024

8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

The Woodwinds

29 School Ground Road

Branford CT


Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health:

Honoring Family, Culture, and Community Relationships Between Infants, Young Children, and Their Adult Caregivers



Keynote Presenter:

Melissa Mendez, LCSW, IMH-E®

Featuring: Michele Scott

Tribal Councilor of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation

REGISTER HERE

Melissa Mendez, LCSW, IMH-E®

Michele Scott,

Tribal Councilor of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation

Exciting Job Opportunity:

CT-AIMH Program Manager

Job Description


JOB TITLE: Program Manager              

REPORTING: Executive Director                                                         

STATUS: 32 hours/week, Non-exempt

SALARY: $71,552/year

BENEFITS: Paid Time Off (PTO), 12 paid holidays, and health benefits offered

OFFICE LOCATION: 19R Pearl Street, Noank, CT (position requires on-site work with the possibility of remote work -from any location within CT) 

Closing Date for Applications: Friday, May 10, 2024

PURPOSE: The Program manager will provide programmatic oversight for the Connecticut Association for Infant Mental Health (CT-AIMH) in areas of program management, development, quality, evaluation, reporting, and innovation. This person will support development of projects in the pre-implementation phase, oversee and carry-out the day-to-day aspects of projects; lead specific project objectives; conduct program follow-up in the post-implementation phase; and represent projects internally, to funders, and other stakeholders as necessary. This position requires expertise in program management, implementation, quality assurance and grant development.

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Program Manager will be responsible for:

1.    Developing and managing projects in line with organizational vision and strategy.

2.    Provide oversight for existing projects and manage the day-to-day aspects of those projects, from development and implementation to assessing quality and post-implementation follow-up and evaluation.

3.    Ensure quality outcomes.

4.    Lead strategic thinking by establishing key objectives and strategies, as well as develop multi-year growth strategies and an innovation vision for CT-AIMH, being mindful of trends impacting our partners’ needs.

5.    Collaborate with partners and/or stakeholders.

6.    Manage implementation of new and innovative approaches, including reporting and maintaining relationships with funding and partner agencies.

7.    Serve as the lead for the identification and application of grants and other funding opportunities as well as any resultant reporting requirements.

8.    Develop and coordinate resources and research needed to support CT-AIMH’s work, including identifying and documenting infant mental health services and programs across the promotion, prevention, intervention, and treatment spectrum.

9.    Serve as the manager of CT-AIMH’s community facing aspects of the program in the areas of development, marketing, communications, website maintenance, and social media.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Community Engagement Activities:

Ø Manage and carry-out the day-to-day aspects of identified CT-AIMH projects and activities that will increase the competencies of the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) workforce and improve and enhance access to available IECMH state-wide resources for all stakeholders, IECMH professionals and families.

Ø Work with the Executive Director, other CT-AIMH staff, and partners to identify gaps and needs in IMH programs and services across systems.

Ø Provide Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health presentations at conferences and to CT-AIMH partner agencies statewide, as needed.

Ø Support the State and other partners as requested to promote awareness and resources supporting infant-toddler developmental screenings and the social emotional development of children.

Ø Collaborate with state and local partners to identify opportunities where IMH, Endorsement (the IMH Competencies) and Reflective Supervision/Consultation can be promoted and integrated into existing programs, systems, trainings, conferences, and other infrastructures in a relationship-based and culturally sensitive way.

Ø Co-lead the CT-AIMH Professional Development Advisory Committee.

Ø Assist in the development of resources, products, and processes to increase awareness and interest in IECMH.

Public Awareness:

Ø Oversee the development of a public awareness plan to promote recognition of the unique social and emotional needs of the target population and the benefits of optimal social and emotional development.

Ø Work with Promotion and Education Advisory Committee on developing messaging (IMH 101)

Ø Oversee development and operation of CT-AIMH messaging including website, social media, newsletter, and marketing materials.

Quality and Innovation:

Ø Responsible for developing methods for data collection and extracts data as required.

Ø Coordinating tracking and reporting of outcomes, and follow-up of action plans to improve quality.


QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Ø Minimum Master’s degree in human services, social work, early childhood, or related field with significant program development experience 

Ø Experience in infant and/or early childhood programs

Ø Minimum 3 years’ experience in infant and early childhood mental health

Ø Effective leadership skills, experience in working in collaborative environments, excellent communication skills

Ø Understanding of characteristics, service needs, and programming for target population

Ø Knowledge and experience in multiple systems working with infants, toddlers, and young children (i.e. early intervention, childcare, early education, Head Start/Early Head Start, child welfare, home visiting, pediatrics, mental health)

Ø Understanding of systems development for staff of early childhood education and infant and early childhood mental health populations

Ø Hold or eligible to hold IMH Endorsement® within 2 years

Ø Excellent relationship development skills

Ø Excellent public speaking and writing skills

Ø Detail oriented and strong organizational skills

Ø Ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple sources and types of information

Ø High degree of comfort and competency in using MS Office Suite, Outlook, and social media

Ø Bilingual in Spanish/English, encouraged to apply

SUPERVISION:

·      This position is supervised by the Executive Director.

·      This position may supervise staff of current projects.


PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:                                                                                                     While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is frequently required to use finger dexterity as well as sufficient hand dexterity to use a computer keyboard and be capable of reading a computer screen. Also, may need to remain seated for long periods, have the ability to perform repetitive motions and reach for objects. Employee is frequently required to hold a writing instrument, communicate verbally, and hear well enough to detect nuances and receive detailed information. They may be required to grasp objects, push, and pull objects, bend, stand, walk, squat, or kneel. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision for data preparation or analysis, and expansive reading. May need to lift items, up to 30 pounds. Equipment used: laptop computer, copier, phone, and scanner.


WORKING CONDITIONS:

This position will require in-person work (in Noank office) and the possibility of remotely based work (from any location within the state of Connecticut). In person presence for regular staff meetings and other responsibilities is required.

The work conditions described here is representative of those an employee encounters while performing this job. Depending on work location, the incumbent will typically work indoors in a heated and air-conditioned office, with a mixture of natural, incandescent, and fluorescent light with low to moderate noise levels or be subject to working conditions conducive to a home environment. When travel is expected the incumbent will be exposed to outside environmental conditions during those times

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the above is intended to summarize the essential functions of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not meant to be an exhaustive list of miscellaneous duties and responsibilities that may be requested in the performance of this job.


GENERAL INFORMATION:

Required: willingness to travel within the state 30-50% of time; valid driver’s license and insurance.  Position is dependent upon grant funding and funding is currently secured from Jan 2023-Dec 2025.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY:                               

CT-AIMH is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to inclusive hiring, advancement, and professional development and is dedicated to diversity in its work, its staff and with community partners. This is an exceptional opportunity for a professional who shares our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and supports our mission to enhance outcomes for ALL children by supporting those professionals who work with children 0-6 years old and their families. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. As a non-partisan organization, the Connecticut Association for Infant Mental Health (CT-AIMH) supports ALL Connecticut babies and their families, and ALL professionals who work with or on behalf of families, without regard to race, disability, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, country of origin, heritage, or political affiliation.


2024 CT-AIMH Training Schedule

10-topic IMH Childcare Series, presented in Spanish

was held between 1/27/24-3/16/24



8-topic Infant Mental Health Series

In process: 3/7/24 - 6/25/24



10-topic IMH Childcare Series, presented in English

In process: 4/02/24-5/28/24



6-Day IMH Home Visitor Series

8/01/24-9/05/24



5-part Reflective Supervision/Consultation Series Starts: September 20, 2024



Announcing: NEW OFFERINGS!!


DC: 0-5 Training

September 17 & 18, 2024



Brain Development 4-part series November 2024-February 2025


Thank you to our presenters!


CT-AIMH continues to be very lucky in the vast wealth of knowledge and expertise that our distinguished presenters bring to each of our trainings. We would like to take a moment and thank each one for their unique contributions to CT-AIMH and steadfast support of the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health workforce.

CT-AIMH Integrated Care Pilot

Update


Three pediatric sites and three Family Resource Centers were selected to pilot this project.


CT-AIMH is focused on building the capacity and competency of the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) workforce. The CT-AIMH Integrated Care Pilot seeks to increase the IECMH workforce's capacity to identify, screen, assess, monitor and serve children 0-6 and their families, and to identify children ages 0-3, that are referred but do not qualify for Birth to Three services (as nationally 30% of those referred do not qualify). Children 0-3 years old, in these three pilot sites will be monitored, screened, assessed, and referred to appropriate community-based services by an Integrated Team of IECMH professionals including their Pediatrician, a Family Resource Center Family Educator (co-located in the pediatric office), a Mid-level Dev. Assessor, and at times an IECMH-Endorsed Clinician.


Simultaneously, CT-AIMH's goal is to build up the field of IECMH-Endorsed professionals, and so this pilot also includes a Pathway to IECMH Endorsement. The Pathway to IECMH-Endorsement offers (for free): the 8-topic CT-AIMH Infant Mental Health Training Series, up to 48 hours of Reflective Supervision/Consultation groups, up to 2 years of CT-AIMH Membership, and IECMH-Endorsement.  Registration has closed for this year's Free Pathway to Endorsement, but will reopen for registration for the next cohort in December 2024, and will begin in 2025.


Infant early childhood experience and training that is needed, can be established through obtaining IECMH-Endorsement. This project will also highlight, that the process of ensuring the competence of these IECMH professionals, through IECMH training, work experience and support (i.e.Reflective Supervision/Consultation), warrants the need for an enhanced rate of reimbursement (from Medicaid) for the various IECMH services provided by these specialized IECMH professionals.

We would like to thank the following CT-AIMH Integrated Care Pilot partners for their steadfast determination, enthusiasm, and hard work:


The Family Resource Centers and their extraordinary staff in Enfield, Meriden, and New Haven


Lizbeth Acevedo, Grecia Brantley, Erin Grimes, and Milissa Lebron


Dr. Katie Swec MD & Dr. Kamisha Byas MD and their staff at

Fair Haven Community Health Care, in New Haven


Dr. Anne Marie Villa M.D., PC and her staff, in Enfield


Dr. Jeannette Chinchilla MD FAAP and her staff at

Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine of Cheshire, LLC, in Cheshire


Endorsement Updates

Exciting changes have been happening with Endorsement this year. Most notable is the elimination of the Family Reflective Supervisor Endorsement and the addition of the Endorsed Reflective Supervisor (ERS) add-on. This new add-on is available for professionals Endorsed as Family Specialists or Mental Health Specialists who provide or would like to provide qualifying Reflective Supervision/Consultation hours toward earning Endorsement to others. Mental Health Specialists can also now receive qualifying hours from any professional with the ERS add-on or Mental Health Mentor-Clinicals. Please, see the chart below with additional information.



Heather Bonitz Moore

CT-AIMH Endorsement Coordinator

Announcing Endorsement Open Office Hours via ZOOM!


Heather Bonitz Moore will be offering open office hours for Endorsement weekly on Tuesday’s from 4-5 pm. The first Tuesday of the month will focus on Endorsement Orientation and Overview, the second and third will focus on providing support to anyone in progress for Endorsement, and the fourth Tuesday will focus on Exam preparation.


All open office hours will be accessed using this ZOOM link:



Zoom Link


Meeting ID for all is 6216202679


CT-AIMH Advisory Committees

CT-AIMH Advisory Committees are looking for new members to join our work. Please, contact the Chairperson to join any CT-AIMH Advisory Committee.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

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Goal Statement: To guide, support, and hold CT-AIMH accountable in the integration of cultural humility, diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence in all aspects of its mission. To actively model our commitment to the Central Principle of Diversity-Informed Practice as outlined in the Diversity Informed Tenets of Work with

Infants, Children, and Families.

To actively promote cultural humility in the work of the committee and throughout CT-AIMH. Cultural humility reflects an ongoing personal and collective commitment to learn and take action to address and diffuse power imbalance and promote interpersonal sensitivity and safety. Cultural humility requires an attitude of openness and empathy and relies on learning from differences.


This committee meets the 2nd Thursday of the month from 9-10:30am.


Co-Chairs: Carlita Elias and Melissa Mendez


For more information or to join the committee: Carlita Elias, drcelias@gmail.com

Promotion and Education Committee

Goal Statement: Promote and educate across communities on the importance and impact of infant and early childhood mental health and the work of CT-AIMH.  

Cultivate awareness and understanding about CT-AIMH and its programming with the infant and early childhood mental health workforce. 

Build relationships and connectedness within the field of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health.


This committee meets the first Wednesday of every month from 9-10am.


Co-chairs: Jen Vendetti and Tanika Eaves Simpson


For more information or to join the committee: Jen Vendetti, 

maternalmentalhealtheducator@gmail.com



Professional Development Advisory

Goal statement: As a committee formed by the Connecticut Association for Infant Mental Health (CT-AIMH) Board of Directors we will actively co-create, support, and promote professional development and education opportunities that align with current best practices in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health.

Vision: An infant and early childhood mental health workforce that:

• is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and reflects cultural humility

• is knowledgeable and skilled in the Competencies for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Healthâ (IECMH-Endorsementâ)

• meets the needs of infants, young children, and their families


This committee meets the 3rd Monday of every month from 2-3:30pm


Co-chairs: Heather Bonitz Moore and Heidi Maderia


For more information or to join the committee: Heather Bonitz Moore: Heather.bonitzmoore@ct-aimh.org​

Heidi Maderia: Heidi.maderia@ct-aimh.org

Policy and Advocacy Committee

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Goal Statement: To engage visibly and effectively in public policy advocacy of issues relating to an infant mental health system of care and its related funding needs and resources. We recognize that diverse leadership enhances our skill, innovation and excellence and is necessary for us to be dynamic, competitive, and sustainable in our efforts to strengthen our work.  We work to ensure that diversity, equity, inclusion and racial justice are embedded in all that we do including:

  1. Identify indicators of an effective, statewide infant/early childhood mental health service system
  2. Advocate for the integration of infant and early childhood mental health knowledge and/or services into all infant/early childhood programs statewide
  3. Advocate for expansion of intervention and therapeutic options for young children and families, and to reduce inequities in access to services.
  4. Be at the table whenever/wherever the mental health of infants and young children in CT is on the agenda.


This committee meets the 3rd Monday of every month from 3-4pm.


Co-chairs: Susan Vater and Jerry Calnen


For more information or to join the committee: Susan Vater: susan_vater@post.harvard.edu

or Jerry Calnen: gcalnen@cox.net

Featured Article

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EDITORIAL ON THE BLUE RIBBON PANEL ON CHILDCARE

By: Dr. Gerald Calnen


Recently Governor Lamont assembled a Blue Ribbon Panel to address the rising childcare needs of Connecticut children and families. The recommendations of this panel have recently been made public and are, for the most part, highly informed and well reasoned, and constitute an excellent roadmap for the planning of a childcare system that meets the needs of working families in the years ahead.


However, there are two Panel recommendations that place the mental health and wellness of infants and young children in jeopardy. Specifically, the Panel recommends that (1) the current evidence-based standards of child care be sidestepped so that a provider can care for up to five two-year old children, as opposed to four, and (2) the childcare room capacity should be increased from eight children to ten. Both of these suggested revisions in care are in violation of the standards proposed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Public Health Association, and the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education. 


It is the position of the Connecticut Association for Infant Mental Health that the Blue Ribbon Panel should continue to adhere to the current evidence-based standards of care. The responsive care provided by the parent forms the basis for the healthy development of the child. It is this primary relationship which enables the child to form meaningful relationships with others, to understand and regulate emotions, and to explore and learn about the world around them. When the parent cannot be with the child, it is critical that the responsible childcare provider forge a relationship that is safe, stable and nurturing. This is particularly important, taking into consideration that the child may spend most of their waking hours with the provider while the parent(s) are at work.    


It is certainly challenging for a provider to offer nurturing care for even four two-year old children at one time over an extended period of time, never mind five. It is equally challenging when more than eight two-year olds are confined to a single room. The long term developmental consequences of such care could be highly damaging.  What is of particular concern is that when the evidence-based standards of care are discarded, a dangerous precedent may be established. Without evidence-based standards of care serving as guardrails, the reason for having these important limits might be forgotten.


By and large, the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Panel represent a significant breakthrough in the creation of an equitable, high-quality system of childcare in Connecticut. However, those recommendations bearing on increasing provider ratios and room capacity for two-year olds are not based upon research or the professional recommendations of early care and education professionals, or the medical or the mental health communities, and therefore should be rejected.  


Maternal Happiness during Pregnancy Linked to Child's Brain Development

In a recent study published in the journal Nature Mental Health, researchers explored the relationship between maternal mental health and children's brain development. Their results contribute to understanding the importance of the intrauterine environment and suggest that emotional well-being during pregnancy can be an important protective factor for brain development in children.

Learn more at: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240130/Maternal-happiness-during-pregnancy-linked-to-childs-brain-development.aspx

THANK YOU!


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