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Foundations of Well-being: Policy Strategies for Integrating Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health into Child Welfare

Part of the Resource Collection: Child Welfare and Early Childhood: Cross-Systems Collaboration to Improve Outcomes for Young Children and Their Families Report
By: ZERO TO THREE June 5, 2024
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From birth to age 3, the brain undergoes its most dramatic period of growth, as babies learn to think, speak, walk, reason, and interact with others. This brief highlights the importance of IECMH for families in child welfare. It covers key components of the IECMH continuum of care and the importance of integrating ZERO TO THREE’s IECMH Guiding Principles and Best Practices for family support and reunification. Additionally, it suggests policy strategies for states to enhance collaboration between IECMH, child welfare, and other early childhood systems.

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