Infant and early childhood teleconsultation and training: Program description and feasibility outcomes from a...

Area of Science:

• Child Development
• Mental Health Services
• Professional Training

Background:

• High rates of mental health and developmental concerns in young children (0-6) necessitate provider support.
• Existing gaps in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) training and support for professionals.
• Need for accessible and comprehensive IECMH resources for diverse provider sectors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and impact of a state-funded Training and Teleconsultation Program (TTP).
• To assess the reach and engagement of providers participating in IECMH training and teleconsultation.
• To determine the effectiveness of TTP in addressing the needs of professionals working with young children.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a state-funded TTP offering free IECMH training via webinars and teleconsultation.
• Webinar content focused on attachment, child development, parental support, trauma-informed care, staff well-being, and cultural responsiveness.
• Teleconsultation included case consultation, reflective supervision, and collaboration support.

Main Results:

• 1568 unique providers engaged with TTP services over 18 months.
• Consistent monthly growth (average 9%) in new provider participation.
• Representation from all professional sectors and all state counties, indicating broad reach.

Conclusions:

• Statewide training and teleconsultation programs are feasible and meet a critical need for IECMH support.
• The TTP model effectively reached a diverse range of providers across various sectors and geographic locations.
• Demonstrated success highlights the importance of accessible IECMH training for professionals supporting young children and their families.