This program is part of a statewide effort by the Maryland State Department of Education to help child care providers learn skills to work with children with challenging behaviors. This program gives providers skills and knowledge needed to retain these children in their child care programs and better prepare them for entering school.

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Support Services
In Maryland, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Support Services Program is both child/family and classroom/program focused. This hybrid model allows consultants to focus on specific child behaviors while working with teachers to improve the overall quality of the classroom environment.

The Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Support Services Program’s goals are to:

• Refer children and families in need of more intensive mental health services to appropriate support and/or clinical programs;
• Help children remain in stable, quality child care arrangements that support their individual needs;
• Increase teacher confidence and competence in dealing with challenging behaviors through training, coaching, and mentoring.
• Build close partnerships with local community resources including Judy Centers, Head Start Centers, health departments, Child Find, Maryland Infants & Toddlers Program, preschool special education, and private consultation providers.