Awareness of infant/early childhood mental health (IECMH), resilience/ACEs science, and trauma-informed practice is growing across North Carolina. With this increase in awareness, professionals working with infants, toddlers, young children, and their families are wondering, “how do I fit in and what do I need to know?” This session will support participants in becoming more trauma-informed and specialized in infant/early childhood mental health. Together, as a multidisciplinary group representing many fields of practice, we will reflect on how the principles, approaches and practices of IECMH and Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) are aligned. Demonstrating a commitment to cultural humility and cultural responsiveness will be highlighted as a core value of both TIC and IECMH.
After attending this training, participants will:
Our Presenters:
Ennis Baker, LCSW, is the Project Director for the NC Trauma Informed Infant Toddler (ITTI) Care Project at Duke Center for Child and Family Policy, as well as a parent-child therapist at UNC Horizons. Ennis has over 30 years of experience in the early childhood field, including roles as a toddler teacher, home visitor, mental health specialist, licensed clinical social worker and program administrator. Ennis currently serves on the NCIMHA Board.
Sharon Little, Ed D., is a Program Lead and Faculty in Early Childhood Education at South Piedmont Community College in Anson County, as well as an ITTI Care Project Coach. She started her work in the early childhood field as a Head Start teacher and has also served as a developmental day center director, childcare social worker, subsidy policy consultant, licensing consultant, and private childcare consultant. She has worked in collaborative partnerships and provided training on developmentally appropriate practices, collaboration, professionalism, equity, and more.
