Purpose

We aim to design a cohesive strategy to expand, diversify, train, and retain the Infant and Early Childhood workforce in Washington State…

SO THAT

…families of children prenatal through five receive relationship-centered, diversity-informed, culturally- responsive, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, healing-forward, and developmentally-focused services.

Background

In Washington State, it is difficult for families to receive behavioral health services for their children. This is particularly true for young children. Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) is a diverse field made up of many professionals working within a broad array of programs such as home visiting, early intervention, pediatrics, behavioral health, and more. Providers work with children and families from birth to age five, to ensure children have nurturing relationships and environments so they grow up healthy and thriving. Research shows a 13 percent return on investment (ROI) for these types of comprehensive, high-quality, birth through five services.

Approximately 1 in 6 children in Washington State has a diagnosable mental health disorder, which can be effectively addressed with IECMH treatment services

Our Solution

To get children and families the access they need, we need to expand, diversify, train, and retain the workforce. During the 2024 legislative session, the Barnard Center received $250,000 to host an IECMH workforce strategic planning process. Between July 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, we will:

  • Identify existing workforce activities that intersect with the IECMH workforce.

  • Engage cross-sector partners to further define IECMH workforce needs in four areas: expansion, diversification, training, and retention.

  • Create an IECMH workforce plan consisting of a vision, strategies, activities, and solutions.

  • Partner with funders and policymakers, including the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Workgroup and the Washington State Legislature, to realize and implement the IECMH workforce plan.

Proviso Language

$250,000 of the workforce education investment account—state appropriation is provided solely for the Barnard center for infant and early childhood mental health, within the University of Washington, to identify existing infant and early childhood mental health workforce initiatives and activities. In consultation with the health care authority, the center must identify and provide stakeholder connections, including tribes, to assist with workforce strategic planning. A report of findings and recommendations for expansion, diversification, training, and retention within the infant early childhood mental health workforce must be submitted to the appropriate committees of the legislature and to the children and youth behavioral health work group as established in RCW 74.09.4951, pursuant to RCW 43.01.036 by June 30, 2025.

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