Please join us for our Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Conference in New Albany, Indiana, in partnership with MHAI Stanley W. DeKemper Training Institute. We will start registration at 8 am and end the conference at 4:30 pm. Networking, appetizers, and a documentary viewing for registered attendees will follow after the end of the conference. Our reception will end at 7 pm.

The Institute for Strengthening Families, April 28 -29, 2025

INfancy Onward: "Building Strong Foundations: Family Engagement in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC)"- online session

May 7, 2025 from 1-2 pm EST

The Indiana School Health Network Conference, June 9 - 11, 2025

The 2025 Indiana Early Intervention Conference, in-person, June 12-13, 2025 in Bloomington, IN.

Rediscovering Resilience Conference, June 16-17, 2025

INfancy Onward: Summer Documentary Lunch and Learn Series (in person)

June 24, 2025 at 12:00 pm EST

July 22, 2025 at 12:00 pm EST

August 26, 2025 at 12:00 pm EST

May is Mental Health Month and Children's Mental Health Awareness Month

May 5- 11: Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week

May 5- 9: National Teacher Appreciation Week 

In March, Sarah Bailey, Director of Outreach and Training, Allison Coburn, and Brandy James, members of our Advisory Council, had the privilege of attending the Zero to Three Financing Policy Project Convening Conference in Minnesota. This in-person gathering brought together over 30 state officials from diverse fields, including education, mental health services, human resources, Medicaid, and state government. The conference featured insightful sessions on collaboration, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Consultation, leadership, workforce development, and research initiatives—all centered around IECMH.

In addition to engaging discussions and networking opportunities, our Indiana delegation convened to examine state funding and policies related to IECMH. They explored next steps and strategies for enhancing collaboration to better serve children, families, and professionals across the state. We are excited about the future and the collective impact we can make in advancing IECMH initiatives in Indiana.

This issue’s Provider Spotlight is focused on two Family Child Care Home providers who are serving Spanish-speaking families: Estela Calva at Happy Angels Daycare near Beech Grove, and Perla Ramos at Apriendo Juntos in Speedway.  

These phenomenal women are loving and conscientious educators who are involved in creating strong foundations for the children and families in their care. They take every opportunity to learn more about the field of early education and increase their knowledge about developmentally appropriate practice.  Both Estela and Perla are pursuing the INfancy Onward Endorsement with assistance from the Workforce Development Specialist, Veronica Rosa.  

Estela and Perla have noticed changes in behavior of the children in their programs and are concerned about the mental health of their children and families. They asked for assistance from Anne to learn more about family engagement and how to encourage good mental health habits at home after hearing her presentation during a staffed Family Child Care Network meeting. Anne is working with the two sites to provide a combined family event and parenting class in the upcoming months and we are confident it will be a huge success!  

Created with funding from the Child Care and Development Block Grant awarded to the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning, a division of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.