IFMH Training Project

Foundations of Infant Family Mental Health Training Project

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) received Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funds for Fiscal Years 2011-12 through 2013-14.  Funding allows regional centers to develop and oversee innovative projects focusing on early intervention and treatment for children and adults.

In August 2011, CVRC was awarded a three-year MHSA grant for $450,870 from the DDS.  CVRC has partnered with the Central California Children’s Institute (CCCI) at California State University, Fresno to implement the grant.

With this funding, the CCCI will plan, develop and implement a multi-county, multidisciplinary training program for professionals already working with families with young children. The training program will provide basic infant-family and early childhood mental health (IFECMH) curricula to 320 practitioners of six to seven large public agencies in the CVRC six-county catchment area (Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Kings and Tulare counties). These trainings will be directly responsive to the professional development needs of participating agencies, and will also serve to move attendees closer to meeting state-level endorsement in IFECMH, if desired.

During the first year of the project, the CCCI will establish an Interagency IFECMH Training Council to include representatives from the following participating agencies: County Offices of Education, Departments of Behavioral Health, Departments of Social Services, Regional Centers, and Children’s Services Networks.

After a one year planning period, the training program will begin in the fall of 2012. A minimum of twelve training modules will be offered over a two-year period, and will include both large didactic (lecture-style) methods as well as small, multi-agency reflective practice learning pods involving up to eight participants each. The pods will be configured to represent varied disciplines and agencies. The learning pods will be facilitated by members of the First 5 Fresno County Reflective Practice Mentor Group.  First 5 Fresno County is also providing grant funds in the amount of $26,000 to the Central Valley Regional Center to support the project.

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