Saturday, April 20, 2024
4/20/2024
Wheeler’s Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Program will provide outreach, prevention, screening, early intervention, outpatient and in-home services for children birth to age 12, who are at risk for, show early signs of, or have been diagnosed with a mental illness or Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and their families. The program will also enhance the early childhood workforce through training on NAS, toxic stress, and trauma. Wheeler will provide the IECMH program at its 43 Woodland Street, Hartford, CT site and in the community. Hartford has one of the nation’s highest childhood poverty rates (33.4%) and has identified gaps in services in developmental screenings and mental health services for children. Between 2012 and 2017 Hartford had more accidental drug overdoses than any other city in CT. Children born with NAS or who live with adults with substance abuse disorders are particularly vulnerable to developing mental health problems. Wheeler’s IECMH program will provide: (a) developmental screening of newborns and children by a Healthy Steps Specialist to ensure early detection and linkage to support services; (b) developmental supports in the home for children birth to five by Wheeler’s Parent Connections Developmental Specialists; (c) evidence-based, trauma-focused specialized intervention and treatment services for infants and children with behavioral health needs and their families utilizing the in-home Child First-NAS model for children birth to six and the Attachment Regulation and Competency (ARC) intervention model for children seven to 12; (d) community outreach to promote the importance of child development screening and healthy family relationships; and (e) workforce training on NAS for all CT Child First teams and on ARC for clinicians serving children and families throughout the state. The program will also provide funding for professionals to obtain CT Association of Infant Mental Health endorsements. The IECMH program will improve developmental and mental health outcomes for children birth to age 12 diagnosed with NAS and other developmental challenges through evidence-based, trauma-focused home visiting services; increase parent knowledge of child development, health literacy and access to community resources through outreach, developmental screenings, and in-home developmental support; and increase the number of providers with the skills and knowledge to support children and families. The IECMH program will serve 654 children and their families in year 1, and 626 children and their families per year in years 2-5 for a total of 3,158 children and families during the 5-year grant period. A total of 230 professionals will receive workforce development over the 5-year grant period.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
