Exploring a model for infant and early childhood mental health consultation in early childhood home visiting.

Abstract

Home-visiting programs have experienced a rapid expansion as a strategy for providing support to vulnerable families with young children. As the evidence base for home-visiting effectiveness has grown, the need for providing additional support to home visitors in addressing attachment issues and working with families with mental health concerns has become clear. One model for providing this support is Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC). This study contributes to the nascent evidence base for mental health consultation in home-visiting programs, and describes the results from a pilot study of a model that incorporates another evidence-based approach to early childhood mental health, Early Childhood Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (ECPBIS) as a framework for consultation. We present data collected in a pilot project implementing an IECMHC-ECPBIS model within a Healthy Families America home-visiting program, including a description of the approach and home-visiting staff outcomes over a 24-month period. Home visitors reported significant increases in knowledge of children's mental health, knowledge of adult mental health, confidence in involving parents as partners, and program leadership around addressing early childhood mental health issues. Program and staff benefits suggest promise for this enhanced home-visiting program model.