On $1.25 Million for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation: In Massachusetts

Massachusetts is investing $1.25 million in grant funds for the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Services Program. 

Jointly supported by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the program provides “social and emotional development supports for early education programs serving young children,” according to an EEC press release from earlier this summer. 

The plan is to boost educators’ “core competencies, skills and abilities to assess children’s social and emotional progress and to respond to children in behavioral distress,” the press release explains. Doing so can help children and families overcome behavioral challenges and also reduce unnecessary suspensions and expulsions in early education and care settings.

http://eyeonearlyeducation.com/2013/08/15/improving-early-childhood-mental-health/

What can Washington State learn from Massachusetts' example? - gw