Foundations of Well-being: Policy Strategies for Integrating Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health into Child Welfare
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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Meet Monique Fountain-Hanna: BUILD Initiative’s Newest Staff Member
Blog June 30, 2025
No Place to Grow: Rethinking Homelessness Through a Whole-Child, Whole-Family Lens
Archived Webinar June 11, 2025
Imagine trying to raise your joyful, curious two-year-old in a walk-in closet. There’s no room for toys, no space to play, and every sound echoes too loudly. You’re constantly on edge—not because you’re hiding your child, but because you’re worried that the typical noise of a developing toddler might be too much for the homeowner. The fear of losing even this small, temporary space looms during everyday moments, from enjoying your child’s laughter to dealing with their tantrums. This is what homelessness can look like for families across the country—living in cramped, unstable conditions that threaten not just housing security, but a child’s developmental foundation.
When It’s Too Hot to Play, Sleep, or Learn: Supporting Children and Caregivers in a Warming World
Archived Webinar May 12, 2025
When we think about young children and temperature, we often think about cold conditions and the protections needed to stay warm and safe. But how often do we consider the opposite: extreme heat? As climate change drives temperatures higher, extreme heat is becoming a more frequent and dangerous part of everyday life, especially for young children and caregivers living in under-resourced communities.