INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH (IECMH)
IECMH is the developing capacity from birth to six to experience, regulate, and express emotions; to form close relationships; and to explore the environment and learn – all in the context of family, community, and cultural expectations for young children.
IECMH is critical to ensuring children have the tools and support to grow up well. Our work stems from our ongoing commitment to have IECMH as a core component in systems supporting young children and families, including Early Education & Care (EEC), Early Intervention (EI), pediatrics, family support, and behavioral health. We work closely with the Massachusetts Association for Infant Mental Health (MassAIMH) to achieve these goals.
The IECMH workgroup grew into the Massachusetts Babies Coalition whose work strives to bring together a dedicated cross-sector group working on shared advocacy, policy, and budget priorities for the mental health and early relational health of birthing families, babies, and young children across the Commonwealth. Please visit their new page to get more information!