Concern is growing about the damage that instability can do to children’s healthy development. However, the issue has emerged separately across different domains, with little focus on the pervasive and interconnected nature of the issue or on possible cross-cutting policy solutions. In November 2013 the Urban Institute convened policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to discuss the Learn More →

From the NEW YORK TIMES COLUMN: FAMILIES TODAY: COMMUNITY-BUILDING AMONG FAMILIES By: T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., and Joshua Sparrow, M.D.   Q: I’ve seen parents benefit from the exchange of advice on the sidelines at a soccer game, and by volunteering together for a parent-teach association.  But not every parent can participate. How can we Learn More →

Your vote counts! Be the voice of infants, toddlers, and families — speak up by going to vote in the primaries on August 5, 2014! Let’s ensure that the needs of children, youth and families are elevated and prioritized this election season. Let’s drive voter turnout and get more folks to vote with young children Learn More →

  Maya Shankar June 25, 2014  07:40 PM EDT   Research shows that during the first years of life, a poor child hears roughly 30 million fewer total words than her more affluent peers. Critically, what she hears has direct consequences for what she learns. Children who experience this drought in heard words have vocabularies Learn More →

The American Academy of Pediatrics is asking its members to encourage parents to read to their babies to increase cognitive development and other skills.  Reading = shared pleasure.  Good for early relationship development, child development, and infant mental health! Live link to article: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/24/us/pediatrics-group-to-recommend-reading-aloud-to-children-from-birth.html?smid=nytnow-share&smprod=nytnow

In the next few days, U.S. Senators will be making funding decisions that will determine whether our nation’s infants, toddlers and childcare/early learning programs will receive the resources they need.   Research suggests that for every $1 dollar of investment in early childhood, $17 dollars is saved in future costs!     To find your Michigan Learn More →

 This will be an amazing presentation! "Efficacy of a Mother-Infant Therapy Group Model for Major Depression in the Postpartum Period: Results of a  Randomized Clinical Trial" Roseanne Clark, PhD, IMH-E® (IV), Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Date: Wednesday, April 23 Time: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm Learn More →

IMH Clinicians, Home Visitors, Supervisors & Consultants: Our colleagues in the Michigan Home Visiting programs are eager for submissions from YOU regarding infant mental health principles as they support quality home visiting work force development, as well as submissions about reflective supervision. This is a great opportunity for some collaboration. Please, those seasoned and new Learn More →

Keep the Advocacy Going! Contact Senators Levin and Stabenow! Thank you to all who have been reaching out to members Congress about the importance of extending funding for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program. We have received additional information that now is the time to increase communications and to be in touch Learn More →

"Parents have a profound influence of how their babies develop. Becoming emotionally ill during pregnancy and the first months of a baby’s life can have serious consequences. But parents are usually highly motivated to make use of therapeutic help. This film is about two babies in very different circumstances. It shows how the earlier help Learn More →

  NAEYC Children’s Champions Special Update March 5, 2014   President Releases Funding Request for Fiscal Year 2015 – A Significant Focus on Early Childhood   Yesterday, the President released his federal budget request for fiscal year 2015 (begins October 1, 2014) which marks the start of a new federal funding cycle process. Even with a tight Learn More →

At a recent meeting in Washington DC, Dr. Grace Whitney, PhD, Head Start Collaboration Director, and Endorsed Infant Mental Health Mentor, was asked, "From your perspective how can children be supported to move more seamlessly through the birth through age 8 continuum?"  To read her powerful answer, go here. 

Carolyn Dayton, PhD, at Wayne Statue University is conducting a study for expecting mothers and fathers.   To find out if you are eligible and what the study entails, click here!

Portrait of Inequality Among America’s Youngest Children  Robert R. McCormick Foundation and Child Trends recently released a statistical study of how health and economic disparities among the U.S.’s infants and toddlers can have lasting effects on a child’s well-being. The report, entitled The Youngest Americans: A Statistical Portrait of Infants and Toddlers in the United States, presents Learn More →