This 5 Things Digest from the NTTAC Infant and Early Childhood Transformation Team and "kid contributors" shares advice from gender-expansive young people for what adults should know about what has been most helpful to them as they grow into their identities. In Spring 2022, NTTAC’s Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Transformation Team hosted a webinar by author, national policy expert, and public health advocate Willy Wilkinson about Supporting Gender Diversity in Young Children. Following the fascinating conversation with webinar participants, our team members had the chance to learn from school-age children who had the courage and supportive environments to express their creative gender identities during their early childhood years, as well as the families of these kids. … [Read more...] about 5 Things Digest: 5 Things Gender-Expansive Kids Want Adults to Know (June 2022)
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Trauma-Informed Care for Complex & Racial Trauma Community of Practice for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Systems of Care
During this intense time of uncertainty, stress, and trauma related to the COVID-19 pandemic and racial trauma, program leaders and staff can benefit from processing experiences and sharing strategies to support understanding, connectedness, and hope. This recorded Community of Practice convened a group of infant and early childhood systems of care program and staff as well as experts from the field. Collectively, they explored the ways in which the complex and racial trauma of these times affect the children and families they serve, as well as their programs and organizations. Together, they discussed strategies and shared resources designed to help programs address trauma and inequities while building resiliency in context of the pandemic and preparing to return to ECE settings and work. They also examined tools aimed at multiple levels (individual, child and family, program, and systems). In this session, Jessica Dym Bartlett from Child Trends discussed some recently developed … [Read more...] about Trauma-Informed Care for Complex & Racial Trauma Community of Practice for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Systems of Care
Fostering Anti-racism and Equity in Mental Health Services and Systems
Diversity is not a quick fix for achieving equity. Recruiting more diversity into an organization whose culture, practices, and principles are embedded in racism is damaging and dangerous. This is equivalent to planting roses in nutrient-poor soil; some may grow, but not to their fullest potential. Authentic and continuous conversations about racism, biases, microaggressions, privilege, and how they are experienced by staff and clients must be at the forefront of this work. In order to achieve and sustain equity, organizational leaders must identify inequities, address their root causes, and follow through on accountability measures. Action is key! … [Read more...] about Fostering Anti-racism and Equity in Mental Health Services and Systems
Fostering Equity in Community Wellness and Peer Support Programs
As leaders in community wellness and peer support services, we each have a responsibility to ensure that we are building and sustaining diverse and culturally responsive relationships that enhance the well-being of the individuals and families we serve. We each navigate the world with our "backpacks" filled with various cultures, customs, history, childhood and adult stories, traumas, and experiences, which shape how we enter spaces and interact with others. However, if we do not take the time to unpack and self-reflect, we can easily find ourselves contributing to the problems instead of the solutions. This interactive learning exchange helped participants increase their self-awareness and gain critical skills to assist them throughout their equity journey. … [Read more...] about Fostering Equity in Community Wellness and Peer Support Programs
Trauma-Informed Care for Complex & Racial Trauma Community of Practice for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Systems of Care
During this intense time of uncertainty, stress, and trauma related to the COVID-19 pandemic and racial trauma, program leaders and staff can benefit from processing experiences and sharing strategies to support understanding, connectedness, and hope. This recorded Community of Practice brought together infant and early childhood systems of care program staff and experts from the field. Participants explored the ways in which the complex and racial trauma of these times affect the children and families they serve, as well as their programs and organizations. Participants discussed strategies and shared resources designed to help programs address trauma and inequities while building resiliency in context of the pandemic in order to return to ECE settings and work. Finally, participants examined tools aimed at multiple levels (individual, child and family, program, and systems). This recorded presentation focuses on racial trauma and fostering equity in early childhood community … [Read more...] about Trauma-Informed Care for Complex & Racial Trauma Community of Practice for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Systems of Care