Class

Introduction

  • Speaker's background

    • Master's in Early Childhood Special Education from George Mason University
    • Endorsed as an Early Childhood Mental Health Family Specialist in Colorado
    • Before current role: nine years as a preschool teacher

  • Experience as a preschool teacher

    • Served as a lead preschool teacher for five years
    • Faced burnout due to lack of self-care and awareness of available supports
    • Encountered neurodivergent students which inspired further education in special education

  • Transitioned into mental health consultation

    • Served as team lead in Title I school for preschool special education
    • Worked in self-contained and resource classrooms, faced significant challenges leading to burnout
    • Shifted to early childhood mental health consultation in rural Colorado, focusing on community impact

  • Current role

    • Access and Integration Specialist with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood
    • Aims to support educators and families in their mental health needs

Early Childhood Mental Health Support Line

  • Definition and purpose of the support line

    • A free, confidential resource for anyone involved with children under six
    • Open to parents, teachers, doctors, therapists, etc.
    • Offers guidance on children's mental health and strategies for self-care during challenging behaviors

  • Who can use the service

    • Caregivers, educators, and professionals in children's lives
    • No commitment required for initial inquiries; users can ask questions, seek resources, or local consultation connections

  • Operation details

    • Free to use, available Monday to Friday, 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM (changing to 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM in July)
    • Over 200 languages supported with on-demand interpretation
    • Voicemail and callback options available if call agents are busy

  • What to expect during a call

    • Overview of early childhood mental health services
    • Access to a comprehensive resource list including therapists, early intervention coordinators, and family resource centers
    • Follow-up and two attempts to return missed calls if no reply

Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation

  • Definition and recent name change to Nurturing Connections Colorado

    • Free and voluntary mental health consultation program
    • Available to all adults, including prenatal and postpartum contexts
    • Relationship-based approach, prioritizing reflective practice

  • Reflective practice explained

    • Encourages caregivers to discover answers about their child’s needs collaboratively
    • Focuses on building capacity for adults supporting children rather than direct therapy for children

  • Importance of prevention and promotion

    • Not a crisis service; focuses on supporting adults before they feel overwhelmed

Levels of Services Offered by Consultants

  • Three levels of consultation services

    1. Program Level
    • Works with administration and staff on policies, trainings, and communication strategies
    • Aims to enhance the overall program environment
    1. Classroom Level
    • Partners with teachers and assistants
    • Addresses specific classroom challenges (e.g., transitions, behavior management)
    1. Child Level
    • Involves collaboration with all adults in a child's life (parents, grandparents, etc.)
    • Focuses on individual strategies to support specific children's needs and foster home-school connections

  • Importance of voluntary and informed referrals

    • Parents and caregivers must be aware of the referral before consultation begins to maintain trust and transparency

Referral Process

  • Multiple pathways to refer for consultation
    • Call the mental health support line
    • Complete an online referral form
    • Local consultants might be reached through these methods

Knowledge Check and Q&A

  • Who can call the support line?

    • Anyone involved in a child's life under six can call

  • Cost of services

    • Free, with some consultants potentially billing Medicaid

  • Support for non-English speakers

    • Access to translation services available

  • Timeline for local consultation follow-ups

    • Typically 2-3 business days to hear back from a local consultation team

Consultation Case Process

  • General structure of consultation cases

    • Referral leads to initial contact and observation
    • Establishing goals collaboratively with the consultant
    • Duration of cases usually ranges from a few months to a year based on needs
    • End of case evaluations include satisfaction surveys and final assessments

  • Classroom-based consultations explained

    • Phases include referral, case opening, observations, goal planning, and meetings to discuss progress

Additional Resources for Teachers

  • When to reach out for help (handout)
    • Checklist of behavioral red flags in children, classroom challenges, and program-level needs
  • Important distinctions between referral types
    • Crisis situations (e.g., emergencies) must be directed to appropriate services (like 911)

Conclusion

  • Importance of self-care and support resources in early childhood education

  • Encouragement for educators to seek help and utilize available mental health resources

  • Recognition of the unique stresses faced by teachers, particularly first-year educators

  • Reminder to maintain awareness of children's behaviors around school breaks due to diverse home environments and potential stressors.