Colorado Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants are a part of a free program that helps parents and caregivers create nurturing environments and relationships that support mental health and well-being. Visit MentalHealthStartsEarly.com for more information on Colorado's Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation program.
The goal of the program is to help adults support children’s social-emotional development and to identify early in a child’s life any concerns that could lead to greater challenges in the future.
Benefits of the ECMH Consultation program:
- Fewer incidents of challenging behaviors
- Reduced stress for parents
- Improved school readiness for children
- Increased resiliency for children
- Stronger relationships between children and parents
Some children have a harder time than others managing their feelings. You may be concerned if your child has difficulty…
- Making friends and getting along with others
- Participating in and enjoying daily activities
- Managing “big” feelings that lead to behaviors like hitting, biting or withdrawal
- Getting easily mad or frustrated or feeling sad much of the time
- Adjusting to changes at home or in child care
The Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) Consultation program can help.
The ECMH Consultation program is a free and confidential resource that supports children’s social and emotional development age 0-8. ECMH Consultants are experts in early childhood development and mental health. They work with parents on-site at the child’s child care program or another convenient location.
The ECMH Consultants also make referrals for additional resources, including mental health counseling. ECMH Consultants can also provide support when a child is at risk of expulsion or disenrollment from a child care program.
To learn more about ECMH Consultants or to request a consultation, please contact:
The Office of Early Childhood at 720.662.4630 and request to speak to the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program Manager. You may also email Alison Hargarten at alison.hargarten@state.co.us.