1. Colorado Early Childhood Mental Health State Plan
Claudia Zundel, MSW, Division of Behavioral Health/Child Care
Sarah Hoover, M.Ed, JFK Partners/University of Colorado School of Medicine

2. Strategic Plan Background
Facilitated by Blue Ribbon Policy Council staffed by Harambe, Kid Connects, Project BLOOM and Division of Behavioral Health
Five focus groups around the state
The Blue Ribbon Policy Council was convened in 2003 by three major early childhood initiatives and the Division of Behavioral Health to focus on integrating early childhood mental health into the early childhood system and when appropriate into the adult system. Those three major conveners are Harambe, a Swahili word which means a thoughtful and purposeful gathering. Harambe was largely responsible for starting the discussion about early childhood mental health and bringing together the childcare, mental health and university world. In fact we had the first large gathering of stakeholders interested in early childhood mental health in Feb in this very place. The second initiative is Kid Connects which is a model of childcare consultation that integrates both health and mental health services. Kid connects was recently chosen by Georgetown University as one of six national exemplary consultation projects. And Project Bloom which was the first system of care grant from SAMSHA )Substance Abuse and mental Health Services Administration to explicitly focus on young children. The Division of Behavioral Health played a key role in all the initiatives just described and currently houses the Early Childhood Specialist Program which places an early childhood specialist at each of the 17 publicly funded mental health centers. I am also pleased to announce the Divisions of Behavioral Health and Childcare are jointly funding a state level position to focus on early childhood mental health. In the spring of 2007 the Blue Ribbon Policy Council began a strategic planning process. As part of that process we held five focus groups around the state including two in Denver, Alamosa, Greeley and Grand Junction. The plan you have in front of you is a result of those focus groups and the work of the Blue Ribbon Policy Council.

3. This work helped inform the Early Childhood Framework developed by the Lt. Governor’s Office. This framework captures the work of four domains in early childhood early learning, family support and parent education , social and emotional health and health. The goals of the Blue Ribbon Policy Council fit within this framework and importantly cut across domains.

4. Connection of BRPC Strategic Plan to Other Strategic Planning in Colorado
SARAH
Numerous other related initiatives exist as part of the context for our planning, none of which addressed the specifics needed to develop sustainable infrastructure, programs, leadership and professional capacity in ECMH.

5. Collaborative Projects-Connection to Colorado’s Early Childhood System
Early Childhood Colorado Framework
Colorado’s Strategic Plan for Early Childhood Mental Health
(Blue Ribbon Policy Council)
Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Infrastructure Committee
Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation – Services and Training
Early Childhood Mental Health Specialists
Pyramid Plus Center and Pyramid Plus Policy Team
EC Mental Health Services and Training (Clinicians, DC:0-3R, Harris Program)
Associations, Organizations, Agencies etc (CoAIMH, NAMI, MH America, Division of Behavioral Health, DDD, CDE, etc)
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement
SARAH
Navigation project for Social-Emotional and Mental Health Resources/Programs

6. Colorado’s Vision For Early Childhood Mental Health
Colorado’s Young Children Will Reach Their Full Social and Emotional Potential
SARAH

7. Goals 1: Public Engagement.
Goal: The people of Colorado have a common understanding of early childhood mental health and embrace and support the healthy social and emotional development of young children
#2: Professional and Workforce Development.
Goal: All personnel in disciplines working with young children and their families use effective promotion, prevention, and intervention strategies for mental health
#3: Funding and Finance.
Goal: Financial and human investments and policies regarding children’s mental health follow a framework for promotion, prevention, and intervention; are embedded within Colorado’s early childhood system; and demonstrate accountability
#4: Program Availability.
Goal: Colorado families and caregivers are able to easily obtain appropriate and affordable mental health resources and supports for their children and themselves at the promotion, prevention and intervention levels.
#5: System of Care.
Goal: A comprehensive and effective system of care exists that supports early childhood mental health
These are the five goals represented in the plan. When we break into table discussions we will break into these goal areas. There is a snapshot of the goals and outcomes on page 19 of your plan. Words were carefully chosen to represent some of the key concepts and underlying principles on which the plan was built. Several key areas were not included as goal areas but as important aspects of each of the five goals. Those areas are families will be respected and valued partners. Services will value, reflect and integrate cultural uniqueness of families and communities. Families and children are viewed holistically and research and evidence based evolving research and evidence based practice guide and inform programs, services, policies and public awareness.

8. Intervention Prevention Promotion Care Coordination
Early Childhood Mental Health Services and Supports for Children and Their Families
Intervention
Prevention
Promotion
Care Coordination
Therapeutic Services & Supports
Mental Health Consultation
Parent Education and Support
Natural Supports in the Community
Mental Health Screening and Assessment
Our framework for ECMH was built on the foundation of system-of-care principles and values, and supports children at all levels of promotion, prevention and intervention. This framework identifies the 6 major areas of need to establish a system that supports early childhood mental health. Biggest challenge in creating this framework, fortunately, wasn’t about the content at all, but about whether the words should go top to bottom or bottom to top
System of Care Values and Principles

9. Plan Components Background and History
Data about Colorado’s young children
Goals/Outcomes/Strategies
Short Term Recommendations
Additional Information
Like to share what is in the plan. Background and history. Some data about young children-several major relevant studies are cited in the report. The goals outcomes and strategies are presented in several ways. A summary on page 19. More comprehensive look beginning on page We have some addendums with diagrams explain key concepts, a glossary of terms system of care principles adapted for young children and finally the Fall 2008 recommendations. Plan designed to live over time with an updating of the current recommendations to occur yearly. Each goal area is color coded so you can find all references to that goals area quickly.

10. Impact Brought together hundreds of stakeholders
Will provide a blueprint for future activities
Some recommendations have already been accomplished
Claudia

11. Today’s Agenda Keynotes Table Discussion by Goal Area Wrap-Up
Keynotes for context; bigger perspective opportunities scan the environment Keynote by Dr. Janice Cooper from the National Center for Children in Poverty and Lorenz Meinhold from the Governor's Office about Health Care reform and the opportunities for early childhood mental health. Then you will have chance to participate in two goal area table discussions.
There are resource people at each goal table who will share some of the accomplishments or opportunities to include early childhood mental health. These resource people represent recommendations an ideas contained in the fall 2008 section. The we are asking you to think about what else needs to be accomplished in this goal area. You will also have an opportunity to visit the other goal areas to add your thoughts. We want to hear from you in unique view of the world. We know there is more going on-We want to hear about it. We know resources don’t necessary reach everyone. We want to hear about that also. Be creative-Brainstorm-Have fun. We will hear highlights of the table discussion. Your table facilitators will help guide you through the discussion and make sure notes are captured. Concluding comments by Dr. Cooper.

12. Next Steps
Reconvene overall Blue Ribbon Policy Council (nomination forms on table)
Stay informed through Colorado Association of Infant Mental Health
Claudia