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Systems Building for Equity

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Systems Building for Equity

Resources supporting IECMHC & Tribal Nations

Article November 18, 2024

These resources can support programs, local governments and Tribal Nations in creating better services and systems for their infants, toddler and young children and their families through an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation program. The resources can be used as a supporting reference for the journey to building relationships with tribal communities/programs, or for tribal communities to build their own IECMHC systems.

Beyond Bans and the Challenge We Face: Crafting Effective State Strategies to Reduce Suspension and Expulsion in Early Childhood Settings

Report September 10, 2024

State policies on early learning suspension and expulsion either do not exist or are insufficient. The BUILD Initiative contends that a more thoughtful, multi-pronged or layered state policy approach is needed—one that reflects an understanding of expulsion as a symptom of problems related to quality, equity, and adequate supports. This document lays out BUILD's point of view on early learning suspension and expulsion.

Family Engagement

Report June 13, 2024

Family engagement at the state and local level is an essential component of high-quality, inclusive early childhood care and education (ECCE) programs and systems. Engaging families as partners during the early years allows parents and caregivers to establish strong connections that support their children’s development, well-being, and achievement long term.

Highlighting Infants and Toddlers in Your PDG B-5 Application: Resources from ZERO TO THREE

Report June 13, 2024

The federal 2024 Preschool Development Grant Birth-Five funding is an opportunity for select states and territories to bolster infant and toddler services and ensure policies and programs that meet the needs of today’s families with young children. We have compiled our most recent resources to can help you think about how you want to utilize funding opportunities such as this one to improve outcomes for babies in your state.

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

Report June 5, 2024

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.

The US Census Bureau Misclassified the Hmong. Our Community Suffers as a Result

Blog May 21, 2024

Recently, the US Census Bureau reclassified Hmong Americans from Southeast Asian to East Asian. This misclassification not only ensures that resources will not be allocated to the educational, health, and mental health services the Hmong community need, it erases their cultural history and identity.

Putting the Pieces Together for Families with Young Children

Archived Webinar May 3, 2024

Last year, the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) released a report, Putting the Pieces Together for Families with Young Children: Aligning State Health and Human Services, Nutrition, Child Care, and Paid Family and Medical Leave. This report highlights the challenges parents of young children face in accessing the benefits and services they need to thrive and the steps that some states are taking to make this process easier. In this webinar, CLASP staff interviews parents, advocates, and administrators from California, Washington, and Washington D.C., offering insight into what it takes to build an aligned system of supports for families in this critical period.