About this session

Mental health clinicians play an important role in the lives of children and families. Their role is even more important when the children and families are involved with the child welfare system and, especially, when the children are too young to speak for themselves. Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) clinicians work to advocate for the needs of young children impacted by abuse and neglect or other traumatic experiences by collaborating with child welfare workers, GALs, the Courts and other key professionals. They provide developmental and psychoeducation and support throughout the case to help seek meaningful outcomes in the best interest of the child. They can also provide assessments and recommendations on the young child’s socioemotional health and treatment while keeping overall wellbeing in mind. This session will also address the effects of secondary traumatic stress on clinicians as well as the team that can occur while working with such a vulnerable population who have experienced trauma.

Intended Audience: County Attorneys, GALs, CASA, Caseworkers, Judges, therapists and other professionals working with Courts and the Child Welfare system

Learning objectives