Strong statewide or tribal systems and infrastructure—including supportive, strategic partners and policies—are essential to an effective IECMHC initiative. Please visit the new Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (CoE IECMHC). This center is continuing the work begun under the first CoE for IECMHC. Vision Statement on Systems and Policy The Center’s vision is that infant and early childhood mental health consultation (IECMHC) will be integrated into early childhood programs, policies, and legislation to foster cross-agency collaboration and infrastructure development. Any program, provider, or family who would benefit from IECMHC will have access to high-quality services in a timely manner. State, tribal, and community leaders will prioritize IECMHC and commit the resources needed to build the IECMHC workforce, scale up IECMHC programs and services, and sustain the IECMHC approach across states, tribes, and communities. Additional information on working with tribal communities. Components of the IECMHC Approach The Center of Excellence for IECMHC helps state, tribal, and community leaders: Incorporate an IECMHC approach within an overarching early childhood system Use guiding questions to assess progress toward identifying and implementing the five components of the IECMHC approach Evaluate the need for systems change to support IECMHC Access resources to help advance IECMHC, particularly around system partnerships and policy The five components of the IECMHC approach are: Collaborative and strategic partnerships Workforce development A data-driven approach to research and evaluation Strategic financing Planning and implementation Toolbox Resources The following documents and videos highlight key issues pertaining to IECMHC systems and policy: Overview of the IECMHC Approach Within the Early Childhood System – 2017 (PDF | 761 KB) outlines the need for systemic partnerships in creating and sustaining effective IECMHC approaches. The video Systems: Funding Streams and Strategies, and Overcoming Barriers to Promote Success (eight minutes) helps state, tribal, and community leaders find funding for IECMHC programs—an endeavor that requires creativity and flexibility. The video Systems: Collaboration as an Ongoing Commitment to Implementation and Innovation (seven minutes) explains how IECMHC must be a shared effort among groups and organizations across a state, tribe, community, or program. IECMHC does not belong to one single entity or within one system alone. The video Systems: Colorado Case Study (eight minutes) shares Colorado's story of building a statewide IECHMC program, including the start-up funding process, the journey, successes, and lessons learned. Find additional resources in the IECMHC Toolbox, including guidance on: Models Research and Evaluation Competencies Workforce Development Communications Financing