Resource Library

For Parents & Caregivers

Connecticut Evidence-Based Practices Provider Directory

The Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) and the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) maintain this directory of providers of several key evidence-based practices available in Connecticut to…

Facts, Figures, and Research

Racial Gaps in Early Childhood

The National Center for Children in Poverty commissioned a study, “Racial Gaps in Early Childhood: Socio-emotional Health, Developmental, and Educational Outcomes Among African-American Boys” in 2011. Read their findings at…

Links - National Organizations

The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds

The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital educates parents and caregivers about the behavioral health and well-being of children, adolescents, and young adults with behavioral, emotional,…

For Parents & Caregivers

KidsHealth.org

Comprehensive resource site developed by Nemours Children’s Health for parents, youth, and educators on all things related to kids’ physical and behavioral health. Click the button below to visit KidsHealth.org.

Facts, Figures, and Research

Data on Children in Poverty

The National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) collects and analyzes data and publishes a range of reports and tools on child poverty, early childhood mental health, and related issues.…

For Providers

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)

CHDI advances effective, innovative system, practice, and policy solutions that result in equitable and optimal behavioral health and well-being for children, youth, and families in CT and beyond through research, evaluation, training and technical assistance, and demonstration projects that inform systems change. Offers publications, provider training resources, technical assistance and consulting, and more.

Links - National Organizations

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD) at NIH

The mission of NICHD at National Institutes of Health (NIH) is to lead research and training to understand human development, improve reproductive health, enhance the lives of children and adolescents,…

For Parents & Caregivers

HelpGuide.org

An independent, nonprofit, comprehensive website full of resources about mental/behavioral health, well-being, relationships and more, for children and adults.

Facts, Figures, and Research

National Survey of Children’s Health Data

The National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), an annual survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau and funded by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), supports national efforts…

For Schools

Separation Anxiety and School Refusal

Adapted from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry’s (AACAP) page on School Refusal: Going to school is usually an enjoyable event for children, but for some, it can…

For Parents & Caregivers

Social and Emotional Strategies to Support Infants

This resource from the Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (CECMHC) is for parents and caregivers and early childhood care providers who work with infants in group settings, such…

For Providers

Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)

Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) is an intervention for young children, birth through age 5, who have experienced at least one traumatic event and are experiencing behavior, attachment, and/or mental health problems,…

Facts, Figures, and Research

Bedwetting or Enuresis

Facts for Families on Bedwetting or Enuresis Adapted from the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) HealthyChildren.org: Although most children are toilet trained between 2 and 4 years of age, some…

Facts, Figures, and Research

Social-emotional problems among young children are common

Between 9.5 and 14.2 percent of children between birth and five years old experience social emotional problems that negatively impact their functioning, development and school-readiness. Approximately 9 percent of children…

Facts, Figures, and Research

Preschool Expulsion Rates Higher than K-12, with significant racial disparities

Multiple studies over the past two decades have found that expulsion rates in public and private preschools nationwide are significantly higher than expulsion rates in K-12 education. According to the…

Facts, Figures, and Research

The Impact of Neglect on Child Development

Severe neglect appears to be at least as great a threat to child health and development as physical abuse. Learn more about how neglect impacts child development.

Facts, Figures, and Research

Early Childhood Data Sources – NECTAC

The Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) Center puts together a list of databases and reports related to Early Childhood statistics and supports state IDEA Part C and Part B, Section 619 programs…

For Schools

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

From the Center on PBIS: Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based, tiered framework for supporting students’ behavioral, academic, social, emotional, and mental health. When implemented as intended,…

For Providers

Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning

Center at Vanderbilt University focused on promoting the social-emotional development and school readiness of young children (birth to age 5). Offers extensive training materials, videos, and print resources to help…

For Providers

Promoting First Relationships

PROMOTING FIRST RELATIONSHIPS is a training program at the Barnard Center for Infant Mental Health and Development at the University of Washington. We are dedicated to promoting children’s social-emotional development…

For Providers

Circle of Security International

A relationship-based early intervention program designed to enhance attachment security between parents and children. Offers courses and trainings (CEUs available) for providers in the Circle of Security model and parent…

For Parents & Caregivers

Find a Head Start Center Near You

Find a Head Start or Early Head Start early childhood program near you.

Links - National Organizations

Center for Early Education and Development (CEED)

The Center for Early Education and Development (CEED) at the University of Minnesota helps early childhood educators, caregivers, practitioners, and programs achieve the best outcomes for the infants and young…

For Parents & Caregivers

Birth to Three – Connecticut

A Connecticut state program that supports families when they have concerns about their infant and/or young child’s development. Children under age 3 who live in Connecticut and have a developmental…

For Parents & Caregivers

Help Me Grow – Connecticut

Free statewide program from the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood connecting CT children and families to community services and resources related to child health, behavior, development and learning.

For Providers

Minding the Baby

The Minding the Baby™ Home Visiting (MTB-HV) clinical model is an intensive, interdisciplinary, preventive home visiting intervention for first-time young families that was initially developed at Yale University in New…

For Parents & Caregivers

Child Development Infoline – Connecticut

Child Development Infoline (CDI) is a free, confidential service of United Way of Connecticut. Care Coordinators are available to answer questions about infant and child development Monday – Friday, 8am-6pm.…

For Parents & Caregivers

CT Ages & Stages Child Development Monitoring Program

This free program from Help Me Grow & CT Office of Early Childhood can help you monitor your child’s development and identify potential delays early.

For Providers

National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC)

A national technical assistance consortium working to support states, jurisdictions, and others to improve services and results for young children with disabilities and their families.

For Providers

Connecticut Association for Infant Mental Health (CT-AIMH)

CT-AIMH offers professional development opportunities to those working with infants and young children and their families and promotes competency in the infant/toddler/family workforce by offering an Endorsement in Culturally Sensitive,…

Links - National Organizations

Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University

The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University’s mission is to drive science-based innovation that achieves breakthrough outcomes for children facing adversity. View their extensive resource library here.

For Providers

Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation

The Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation offers a clearinghouse of resources and materials that address the needs of Head Start staff and families and offer practical guidance on…

For Providers

Infant Toddler Temperment Tool

The Infant Toddler Temperament Tool (IT3) was developed for the Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation, an Innovation and Support Project funded by the Office of Head Start. The…

For Providers

Head Start Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center

A national program that provides comprehensive developmental, early education, and social services to low-income young children (ages 3-5) and their families. The Head Start ECLKC offers training and career resources…

For Providers

National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health (NCEMCH)

The NCEMCH provides national leadership to the maternal & child health professional community to improve the health and well-being of the nation’s children and families. Offers online courses for the…

For Providers

Zero to Three

A national, nonprofit organization dedicated solely to advancing the healthy development of babies and young children through training, research, and policy solutions.

For Providers

State Education Resource Center (SERC)

SERC is a nonprofit agency that provides professional development and information dissemination on the latest research and best practices to educators, service providers, and families throughout the state, as well…

For Parents & Caregivers

Essentials of Parenting (CDC)

A free, online resource from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) that addresses common parenting challenges and skills. Modules for parents/caregivers of toddlers/preschoolers and parents of teens.

For Parents & Caregivers

FindTreatment.gov (SAMHSA)

FindTreatment.gov is a comprehensive online directory of substance use and mental health treatment providers and facilities across the U.S. Maintained by the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services' Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Facts, Figures, and Research

Children and Mental Health: Is This Just a Stage? (NIMH)

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a helpful fact sheet for parents, caregivers, and other trusted adults on how to know…

For Parents & Caregivers

Outpatient Psychiatric Clinics for Children in Connecticut

Connecting to Care CT maintains regional lists of Outpatient Psychiatric Clinics for Children (OPCCs) and other community-based children's behavioral health services in Connecticut.

For Parents & Caregivers

Child First

Child First, developed in CT but now a national model, is an innovative evidence-based model which effectively decreases emotional and behavioral problems, developmental and learning problems, and abuse and neglect…

FAQs

Will my child continue to have problems in school if he can’t get along with other children when he is young?

It is very important to get help for any concerns you have about your child’s ability to play well with others or to respond well to adults. When young children don’t…

FAQs

What are the different ways of treating my young child’s mental health issues?

For very young children, the treatment typically involves working with parents and their children together. It often includes visiting with parents at home to find out what their concerns are…

FAQs

My child care has warned that my son may be asked to leave if he continues to harm other children. What should I do?

You may want to talk to your child’s teacher to find out as much as you can about what is going on: when does this harmful behavior occur, who is…

FAQs

How will a doctor or mental health provider be able to identify my young child’s mental health concerns?

When you meet with your pediatrician or doctor, he/she is going to try to understand your concerns. Your doctor will ask you questions about your child’s symptoms, when they occur…

FAQs

What are the early warning signs of mental health problems/social and emotional delays?

Some early warning signs can include: the lack of ability to be soothed, lack of regular sleep/awake cycles, and serious issues with feeding. Although all children experience these problems from time…

FAQs

Where do I go for help when I have concerns?

You do not have to worry alone. If you have concerns about your infant or toddler call your child’s pediatrician as soon as you can. Discuss your concerns and ask if these…

FAQs

Why do I feel sad and overwhelmed by taking care of my young child? What can I do?

Being a parent or caregiver is hard work and very demanding. Feeling sad and having lack of energy after giving birth is normal for 50-80% of new mothers. Many new mothers will…

FAQs

What can go wrong with my young child’s mental health?

Some children have temperaments or personalities that make it hard to be a good parent. Their parents and caregivers have challenges in searching for the right way to sooth, comfort, and…

FAQs

What is Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health?

When we talk about infant/early childhood mental health we mean the early relationships infants and toddlers have with their parents or caregivers and their ability to experience emotion and explore…

FAQs

What are the signs of healthy development in my young child (birth to 6)?

Here is what to look for in your young child that will show good mental health: Babies are alert and willing to explore toys and play with caregivers. They enjoy being…

FAQs

How can I support the healthy social and emotional development of my young children (prenatal to six years)?

Parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers can best support good mental health very early in development, even before the baby is born. Good prenatal care is very important to how…