What prevents states and communities from delivering mental health services to infants, young children, and families? And what can be done to overcome these obstacles? With the help of infant-early childhood mental health and policy experts from across the country, the ZERO TO THREE Policy Center has taken a closer look at these issues and is pleased to announce the release of a new resource, Making It Happen: Overcoming Barriers to Providing Infant-Early Childhood Mental Health.  Making It Happen illuminates the scientific evidence for infant-early childhood mental health (I-ECMH) policies; examines issues faced by national, state, and local program directors and mental health practitioners in providing I-ECMH services; and proposes a set of recommendations for policy improvements at the federal level.  Additionally, it provides a context for the issues and barriers states face when financing services for those most in need and during a time of life when those services would have the highest rate of return.  Read the paper to learn more!

You can help ensure the social and emotional developmental needs of infants and toddlers in your community are being met this Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day on May 9. In our May advocacy calendar, this month’s challenge is to identify at least one policymaker in your state and send them a copy of the new ZERO TO THREE paper, Making It Happen: Overcoming Barriers to Providing Infant-Early Childhood Mental Health. Download May’s Advocacy Developmental Milestone calendar now!