Working with Infants, Young Children and Their Families

1. Michigan’s Statewide Approach for Supporting ECMH Consultants Working with Infants, Young Children and Their Families

2. How it All Began… • MDCH’s Prevention Services Director (Betty Tableman) hears two national presentations regarding pre-k expulsion (1990’s) • MI needs assessment completed • 1998- unexpended funds led to RFP’s going out to community mental health agencies • 6 agencies received planning grants • DHS begins to provide funding through CCDF funds earmarked for 0-3 child care quality-continually grew from 6 to 16 projects statewide.

3. State Level Training and TA Considerations • What are the goals of training and TA efforts? • Who is providing the state-level support? • How often and how much support is offered? • How are consultants actively involved?

4. Developing State Level Support • What We Knew Already- • Relationships Matter! • Fidelity Matters • Quality Matters

5. CCEP Infrastructure CCEP State Level Infrastructure Michigan Department of Human Services (Child Care Development Fund dollars) Grant Manager Michigan Department of Community Health Mental Health Services to Children and Families State Administrator Community Mental Health Services Programs Subcontract with MDCH to provide regional CCEP services to children, their families & child care providers • CCEP State Level Staff • Program Director • State TA Coordinator

6. Understanding Who is Being Supported Cornerstone One:Skilled Consultants ECMHC Job Requirements: • Master’s in Human Services Field • 3 years experience in Early childhood mental health • MI-AIMH Endorsement Level II or eligible for Level II

7. Understanding Who is Being Supported Continued Cornerstone One:Skilled Consultants Data from 2008 Consultant Survey (N=29): • Average time working in ECMH= 10 yrs • Average time working in CCEP= 4 yrs • 83% Master’s Level & licensed as social workers, psychologists or professional counselors • 72% endorsed at level III and 24% at level II

8. State Level Support • Orientation • Peer Shadowing • Quarterly TA Meetings • Monthly Conference Calls • Onsite, phone and e-mail

9. Orientation Child and Family Centered Consultation Programmatic Consultation Evidence Based Practices (e.g. DECA-I/T, CSEFEL) Collaboration Supervision One-Day Introduction to ECMHC Program Cornerstones, Policy and Procedures (PP, case study, video clips and reflection)

10. Peer Shadowing • Team with a “seasoned” consultant • Seasoned consultant has 3 years minimum exp. • Often builds ongoing peer relationships Relationships Matter!

11. “A good example has twice the value of good advice” - author unknown

12. Quarterly TA meetings All Staff Attend (supervisors and consultants) Required in Contractual Obligations Meetings Set Up for the Whole Year (same location) • Sample Agenda • Introductions and Good News • State Updates • 1-2 Small Group Discussions around a “hot” topic • Lunch • Afternoon Specialized Training w/ SW CEU’s • Total of 8-12 hours of free annual training counting • towards MI-AIMH endorsement

13. Monthly Conference Calls • One and a half hours • Send agenda and questions in advance • Barriers/Solutions, Outreach, Reaching Relative providers, etc • Round Robin Format • Policy and procedure updates • Time for Q & A and reflections • Required attendance by at least one program representative

14. Other Training and Support from State Program Director • Feedback on quarterly report data used to provide individualized feedback to projects • ECMH e-mail group (share research, job announcements, state updates, etc) • TA in-person, via the phone or e-mail

15. Local Level Support One-On-One Reflective Supervision Use MI-AIMH Reflective Supervision Guidelines Minimum 2-hours per month By Seasoned Staff (in-house or contractual) Contractually required

16. Maintenance of MI-AIMH Endorsement • Reflective Supervision and Training in: • Theoretical Foundations (Infant development, attachment theory, etc) • Law, Regulation and Agency Policy (Ethical practices, law, etc) • Systems Expertise (community resources) • Direct Service Skills (observing, screening & assessment, etc.) • Working with others (resolving conflict, empathy, mentoring, etc) • Communicating (Listening, speaking, writing) • Thinking (Analyzing information, problem solving, etc.) • Reflecting (parallel process, self-awareness, etc) http://www.mi-aimh.org/index.php

17. What the Consultants Say… Consultants were most likely to report that the quarterly technical assistance meetings were very helpful, followed by on-site visits and phone consultations (Vanegren, et. Al, 2008). “I have noted that so many of the things that consultants value and bring to the centers and families--respectful listening and responding, relationship building--are all evident at the state level and extend outward to the programs. There is a genuine receptivity to our perspectives and a true exchange of ideas.” Consultants obtained valuable training provided by knowledgeable and experienced speakers through technical assistance. They also reported that they had been connected to other programs and resources by the state-level technical assistance (Vanegren, et. Al, 2008).

18. To download MI ECMHC Materials- • http://sites.google.com/site/michiganecmh/home • Website includes: • Orientation PP • Program forms and quarterly report template • Process chapters (child/family and programmatic) • Information on reflective supervision • Sample contract narrative and outcomes • MSU Brief on consultant background • Job description and interview questions

19. For More Information, Please Contact: Mary Mackrain Program Director 450 Cambridge Street Birmingham, MI 48009 248.594.3250 Mackrain@aol.com