PRiSM

Promoting Research-informed State IECMH Policies and Scaled Initiatives

This project promotes efforts to achieve positive outcomes for infants and young children by highlighting research-informed infant-early childhood mental health (IECMH) state policies and scaled initiatives. In the table below you will find links to profiles of exemplary IECMH strategies used in state policies and scaled initiatives.

PRiSM content is continually updated: Policies and scaled initiatives are selected based on their use of research-informed strategies, strong implementation supports, and other features that promote effectiveness and sustainability (e.g., use of monitoring data, public funding). Please contact us about policies/initiatives to consider for PRiSM.

Click on a policy strategy to see a description of the IECMH strategy and links to profiles of states and localities using the strategy.

Click on a state or locality to learn about state policies and scaled initiatives that use one or more strategies.

Also find:

Links in table to summaries of evidence that summarize research supporting the use of each strategy

Additional Resources for assessing and strengthening IECMH policies.

Please contact us if you have questions or need technical assistance.

Policy Strategy	State or Locality
Maternal Depression Screening and Response Screening for maternal depression in pediatric and other settings, and on-site or referral to evaluation and treatment. See summary of evidence	California: DULCE screening and referral in pediatric settings California: Medicaid coverage of IECMH in pediatric care through dyadic behavioral health well-child visits Georgia: Mothers and Babies parent mental health intervention in home visiting Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board: Mothers and Babies parent mental health intervention in home visiting Louisiana: LAMHPP consultation to healthcare professionals Massachusetts: Statewide MCPAP for Moms training and consultation to healthcare professionals Michigan: Medicaid-funded screening and referral to MIHP home visiting New York: HealthySteps screening and onsite referral and supports North Carolina: Medicaid-funded screening and data-informed quality improvement Pennsylvania: Moving Beyond Depression treatment for maternal depression in home visiting Vermont: DULCE screening and referral in pediatric settings
Child Social-Emotional Screening and Response Child social-emotional screening in pediatric and other settings, and on-site or referral to evaluation and treatment. See summary of evidence See additional key resources on social-emotional screening and response	California: DULCE screening and referral in pediatric settings California: Medicaid coverage of IECMH in pediatric care through dyadic behavioral health well-child visits Colorado: ECHO and Family Center Early Childhood Council social-emotional and risk factor screening and response Alabama: Statewide Help Me Grow screening and follow-up coordination Minnesota: Statewide task force guidance for screening and referrals in Medicaid, public health, kindergarten, and child welfare New York: HealthySteps screening and onsite referral and supports Vermont: DULCE screening and referral in pediatric settings
Risk Factor Screening and Response Screening for family and related risk factors, and helping families secure benefits and services to meet needs. See summary of evidence	Arizona: CommunityCares social determinants of health screening and referral California: DULCE screening and referral in pediatric settings California: Medicaid coverage of IECMH in pediatric care through dyadic behavioral health well-child visits Colorado: ECHO and Family Center Early Childhood Council social-emotional and risk factor screening and response Louisiana: LAMHPP consultation to healthcare professionals Minnesota: Community-based family navigators New York: HealthySteps screening and onsite referral and supports Vermont: DULCE screening and referral in pediatric settings
Effective Assessment and Diagnosis (DC:0-5) Use of the DC:0-5 system in the assessment and diagnosis of infant-early childhood mental health conditions. See additional key resources on DC:0-5	Arkansas: Medicaid-funded CPP and PCIT treatment, DC:0-5 diagnosis, and state-funded training Colorado: Right Start for Colorado workforce development initiative Massachusetts: Statewide training and support for DC:0-5 Minnesota: Medicaid-required use of DC:0-5 in diagnosis and state-funded training
Case-Management/Linking Families to Services Case-management or linkage to appropriate services for families in which infants and young children have a diagnosis of a mental health condition or risks for a mental health condition. See summary of evidence	Alabama: Statewide Help Me Grow screening and follow-up coordination North Carolina: Medicaid-funded CC4C care coordination for at-risk children
IECMH Consultation in ECE programs IECMH consultation in early care and education (ECE) settings provided by a mental health specialist who helps staff and parents gain skills and resources they can use to support children’s social-emotional growth and address behavior problems. See summary of evidence See additional key resources on IECMH consultation	Arizona: Smart Support consultation in home visiting and early care and education settings, including for family, friend, and neighbor providers, and year-long training for consultants Arkansas: BehaviorHelp statewide system of tiered technical assistance and consultation supports, with a focus on children involved in child welfare Illinois: Illinois Model for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation statewide cross-sector consultation training model North Carolina: Healthy Social Behaviors Project to address challenging behaviors and support social-emotional development in ECE classrooms
Social-Emotional Professional Development, Coaching, and Curricula in ECE Programs Professional development, coaching, and curricula to promote children’s social-emotional competence. See summary of evidence See additional key resources on IECMH in ECE	Alabama: Statewide Conscious Discipline training Wisconsin: Statewide implementation of the Pyramid Model
Dyadic Treatment Dyadic treatment in which parents are guided by a clinician to engage in interactions with their infant or young child that promote a nurturing parent-child relationship, and positive parenting and child behavior. See summary of evidence	Arkansas: Medicaid-funded CPP and PCIT treatment, DC:0-5 diagnosis, and state-funded training Colorado: Right Start for Colorado workforce development initiative Connecticut: Child First home visiting for vulnerable children, including CPP and extensive workforce training Florida: Statewide Early Childhood Courts for child welfare-involved children, including CPP Georgia: State-funded CPP training Kansas: ABC in home visiting and Part C Early Intervention New Mexico: CPP for child welfare-involved children and state-funded training New York: Power of Two home visiting to deliver ABC for families in foster care Oregon: Medicaid-funded PCIT and state-funded training
Parenting Programs Parenting programs that help parents learn about and use positive, responsive parenting strategies that contribute to healthy social-emotional development and reduce behavioral problems. See summary of evidence	Colorado: Right Start for Colorado workforce development initiative Maryland: Chicago Parent Program Nebraska: Statewide COS-P and training cohorts North Carolina: Statewide Triple P Ohio: Chicago Parent Program
IECMH in Part C Early Intervention Program (EI) Program Policies and practices in the EI program that identify and address the social-emotional needs of infants and toddlers (e.g., includes IECMH mental health specialist on evaluation team, provides IECMH treatment). See summary of evidence See additional key resources on IECMH in Part C Early Intervention	Illinois: Social-emotional consultation for EI providers Kansas: ABC in home visiting and Part C Early Intervention Louisiana: IECMH consultation to EI providers Massachusetts: Statewide PIWI training for EI providers Nevada: Pyramid Model in Part C Early Intervention Texas: IECMH consultation to Part C Early Intervention providers
IECMH in Home Visiting Policies and practices that identify and address the social-emotional needs of infants and toddlers (e.g., screens for parent depression, refers family to IECMH treatment, consultation for home visitors). See summary of evidence See additional key resources on IECMH in home visiting	Arizona: Smart Support consultation in home visiting and early care and education settings, including for family, friend, and neighbor providers, and year-long training for consultants Connecticut: Child First home visiting for vulnerable children, including CPP and extensive workforce training Georgia: Mothers and Babies parent mental health intervention in home visiting Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board: Mothers and Babies parent mental health intervention in home visiting Illinois: Illinois Model for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation statewide cross-sector consultation training model Illinois: Baby TALK home visiting model, including for refugee and immigrant families Kansas: ABC in home visiting and Part C Early Intervention Louisiana: Statewide home visiting consultation, including CPP for families Michigan: Statewide Medicaid-funded home visiting including referral to infant mental health home visiting New York: Power of Two home visiting to deliver ABC for families in foster care Pennsylvania: Moving Beyond Depression treatment for maternal depression in home visiting Washington State: IECMH supports in the Best Starts for Kids initiative
IECMH in Pediatric Care Policies and practices that identify and address the social-emotional needs of young children in pediatric settings (e.g., an IECMH specialist provides guidance and referrals when child has a positive social-emotional screen or parent needs evaluation for depression) See summary of evidence See additional key resources on IECMH in pediatric care	California: DULCE screening and referral in pediatric settings California: Medicaid coverage of IECMH in pediatric care through dyadic behavioral health well-child visits Louisiana: Consultation to pediatric providers Massachusetts: Statewide MCPAP for Moms training and consultation to healthcare professionals New York: HealthySteps screening and onsite referral and supports New York: Promoting IECMH in pediatric settings with PlayReadVIP Vermont: DULCE screening and referral in pediatric settings Washington State: Promoting First Relationships in Pediatric Primary Care training
IECMH for Vulnerable Children Policies and practices that identify and address the social-emotional needs of the most vulnerable infants and toddlers, including those in the child welfare system. See summary of evidence	Arkansas: BehaviorHelp statewide system of tiered technical assistance and consultation supports, with a focus on children involved in child welfare Colorado: ECHO and Family Center Early Childhood Council social-emotional and risk factor screening and response Connecticut: Child First home visiting for vulnerable children, including CPP and extensive workforce training Florida: Statewide Early Childhood Courts for child welfare-involved children, including CPP Minnesota: Community-based family navigators Minnesota: Quality Parenting Initiative for children in foster care Nevada: Quality Parenting Initiative for children in foster care New Mexico: CPP for child welfare-involved children and state-funded training New York: Power of Two home visiting to deliver ABC for families in foster care

Workforce Development These states incorporate significant supports for workforce development into their IECMH policies and initiatives.

Alabama Arizona Arkansas Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia (Child-Parent Psychotherapy) Georgia (Mothers and Babies) Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board Illinois Massachusetts Nebraska Nevada New Mexico Oregon Pennsylvania Washington State Wisconsin

Additional Resources

IECMH Planning and Policy

• Advancing Infant and Early Childhood Behavioral Health in Hawai’i: Exploring Options for Financing Sustainability (Shore & Kohatsu)
• Behavioral Health Agencies Serving Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers in Washington State: Results from the 2022 Behavioral Health Provider Survey (Washington State University, Social & Economic Sciences Research Center & Washington Health Care Authority)
• Centering Babies and the Adults Who Care for Them: States Explore Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Financing and Policy (Zero to Three)
• Cost-Effectiveness of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Treatment (Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Technical Assistance Center)
• Developing an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Professional Development System in Maryland: A Gap Analysis and Strategic Plan (Maryland State Department of Education)
• Expanding Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Supports and Services: A Planning Tool for States and Communities (Zero to Three)
• Exploring State Strategies for Financing Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment (Zero to Three)
• From Equity to Issue Campaigns: The Next Stop on the Road Map to Childhood Mental Health in North Carolina (EarlyWell Initiative)
• Getting Policymakers’ Attention!: Key Findings from New IECMH Message Testing (Zero to Three)
• Hawai’i’s Integrated Infant and Early Childhood Behavioral Health Plan (Version 2) (Early Childhood Action Strategy)
• Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Policy Series (Zero to Three)
• Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Policy Convening Report (Zero to Three)
• Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Policy Vignettes (Zero to Three)
• Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Resources and Services: A Guide for Early Education and Care Professionals (Massachusetts Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative)
• Infant-Early Childhood Mental Health Statewide Tour Report (Washington State Health Care Authority)
• Infants and Toddlers in the Policy Picture: A Self-Assessment Toolkit for States (Zero to Three)
• Links to State IECMH Plans (National Center for Children in Poverty)
• Medicaid Policies to Help Young Children Access Key Infant-Early Childhood Mental Health Services: Results from a 50-State Survey (National Center for Children in Poverty, Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, & Johnson Policy Consulting)
• Medicaid Support for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health: Lessons from Five States (Georgetown University Center for Children and Families & Johnson Policy Consulting)
• Policy Change to Promote Early Relational Health (Center for the Study of Social Policy)
• Preparing the Path: A Needs Assessment of Colorado’s Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Workforce (Right Start for Colorado & Colorado Health Institute)
• Preventing Childhood Toxic Stress: Partnering With Families and Communities to Promote Relational Health (American Academy of Pediatrics)
• Risk, Reach, and Resources: An Analysis of Colorado’s Early Childhood Mental Health Investments (Colorado Health Institute)
• Selected State Infant-Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Medicaid Services Billing Codes and Eligibility (National Center for Children in Poverty)
• State Leadership and Policy Action to Advance Early Relational Health (Nurture Connection)
• State Medicaid Opportunities to Support Mental Health of Mothers and Babies During the 12-Month Postpartum Period (Georgetown University Center for Children and Families)
• Supporting Child and Student Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Mental Health Needs (U.S. Department of Education)
• Supporting Immigrant and Refugee Families through Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Services (Migration Policy Institute)
• Using Medicaid to Ensure the Healthy Social and Emotional Development of Infants and Toddlers (Georgetown University Center for Children and Families)
• What Policymakers in Georgia Need to Know About Infant-Toddler Social-Emotional Health (Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students & National Center for Children in Poverty)
• Working Towards a System that Supports Early Childhood, Infant, and Family Mental Health: An Assessment of New Hampshire’s Early Childhood and Family Mental Health Workforce (New Hampshire Children’s Health Foundation)

Social-Emotional Screening and Response

• Developmental Screening Follow-up Practices and Policies (Zero to Three)

Effective Assessment and Diagnosis (DC:0-5)

• Advancing DC:0-5 Policy and Practice Within Systems of Care (Zero to Three)
• DC:0-5 Crosswalk: A Briefing Paper (Zero to Three)
• DC:0-5 Policy in Selected States (National Center for Children in Poverty)
• Embedding DC:0-5 into State Policy and Systems (Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Technical Assistance Center)
• State DC:0-5 Crosswalks (National Center for Children in Poverty)

Case Management/Linking Families to Services

• Strengthening Connections: State Approaches to Connecting Families to Services (Zero to Three)

IECMH Consultation

• Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
• Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation: Policies and Practices to Foster the Social-Emotional Development of Young Children (Zero to Three)
• Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation: A Briefing Paper (Zero to Three)
• Maine Policy Template for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Designed to Promote Young Children’s Social-Emotional Development (National Center for Children in Poverty)

IECMH in ECE

• Building a Comprehensive State Policy Strategy to Prevent Expulsion from Early Learning Settings (U.S. Office of Child Care)
• Developing an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Professional Development System in Maryland: A Gap Analysis and Strategic Plan (Maryland State Department of Education)
• The Pyramid Model and Trauma-Informed Care: A Guide for Early Childhood Professionals to Support Young Children’s Resilience (National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations)
• States’ Growing Commitment to Preventing Young Children’s Expulsion from Early Care and Education Programs: Results of a 50-State Policy Survey (Build Initiative & National Center for Children in Poverty)

IECMH in Part C Early Intervention Program (EI) Program

• Briefing Paper: Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and Early Intervention (Part C): Policies and Practices for Supporting the Social and Emotional Development and Mental Health of Infants and Toddlers in the Context of Parent-Child Relationships (ECTA Center, National Center for Children in Poverty, & Others)
• Child Welfare and Early Intervention: Policies and Practices to Promote Collaboration and Help Infants and Toddlers Thrive (National Center for Children in Poverty & True North Group)
• Meeting the Social-Emotional Development Needs of Infants and Toddlers: Guidance for Early Intervention Program Providers and Other Early Childhood Professionals (New York State Department of Health Early Intervention Program)
• Supporting Social-Emotional and Mental Health Needs of Young Children Through Part C Early Intervention: Results of a 50-State Survey [Report] (National Center for Children in Poverty & Georgetown University Center for Children and Families)
• Supporting Social-Emotional and Mental Health Needs of Young Children Through Part C Early Intervention: Results of a 50-State Survey [Webinar] (National Center for Children in Poverty, Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, & ECTA Center)

IECMH in Home Visiting

• Embedding Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation in Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Programs (U.S. Maternal and Child Health Bureau)
• Infant-Early Childhood Mental Health in Home Visiting Programs Serving Diverse Families: Promising Strategies to Support Child and Family Well-Being [Report] (National Center for Children in Poverty)
• Infant-Early Childhood Mental Health in Home Visiting Programs Serving Diverse Families: Promising Strategies to Support Child and Family Well-Being [Webinar and PPT] (National Center for Children in Poverty & Start Early)
• Listening to Parent Voices: How Technology Changed What’s Possible in Home Visiting & Infant Mental Health Programs (Perigee Fund)

IECMH in Pediatric Care

• Fostering Social and Emotional Health through Pediatric Primary Care: Common Threads to Transform Everyday Practice and Systems (Center for the Study of Social Policy)
• Guide to Leveraging Opportunities Between Title V and Medicaid for Promoting Social-Emotional Development (Center for the Study of Social Policy and Johnson Group Consulting)

This project is generously supported by the Perigee Fund. The Irving Harris Foundation provided valuable support for the initial phase of PRiSM, which made its full development possible.

Special thanks to the project’s current and former Advisory Group members for their guidance and input: Therese Ahlers (Zero to Three), Elisabeth Burak (Georgetown University), Donna Cohen Ross, Denise Castillo Dell Isola (Irving Harris Foundation), Marian Earls (Community Care of North Carolina), Nikki Edge (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences), Jill Filene (James Bell Associates), Neal Horen (Georgetown University), Kay Johnson (Johnson Group Consulting), Yolanda Lusane (U.S. Office of Special Education Programs), Soledad Martinez (New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department), Carey McCann (BUILD Initiative), Kim Netter (Brazelton Touchpoints Center), Tamilah Richardson (Virginia Office of Early Childhood Education), Elena Rivera (Children’s Institute), Jennifer Rodriguez (Youth Law Center), Meghan Schmelzer (Zero to Three), Nina Williams-Mbengue (National Conference of State Legislatures), Lindsay Usry (Zero to Three), and Renée Wilson-Simmons (ACE Awareness Foundation).