Infant and early childhood mental health consultation in a diverse metropolitan area.

Abstract

IECMHC can and should be a vehicle that promotes greater equity in access to high quality relationships within an early classroom environment. It is important to consider consultation through a racial equity lens to ensure that it is integrated in all levels of work. The goal of the study was to replicate the results from other IECMHC programs with a diverse, largely Latinx, population. The Jump Start program was given the unique opportunity to adapt the Georgetown Framework of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation to a multicultural population in Miami. A total of 88 early learning programs and 244 teachers participated. Services were provided in English, Spanish, and Creole at the program- and classroom-level. Pre- and post-data were collected at both levels. Significant improvements at the program- and classroom-level were found post-consultation. Consultants demonstrated fidelity to core program practices while providing culturally and linguistically competent service. The current study replicated findings regarding the effectiveness of IECMHC while expanding results to a diverse metropolitan community. Key features of program success may be attributed to the use of highly trained consultants, action planning, fidelity monitoring, and enrollment of programs that were ready and have a champion for IECMHC.