First statewide conference a great success
by Lana Nenide, professional development and resource director

In June 2008, the Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health hosted its first statewide conference, “Early Relationships Matter: Building Networks.” More than 300 people attended the three-day event at the Concourse Hotel in Madison, Wisc., including representatives from 49 Wisconsin counties, and the states of California, New Mexico, Illinois, New Jersey, Arkansas, Minnesota and Tennessee. The conference featured three internationally-known and respected keynote speakers in addition to 39 workshops covering infant and early childhood mental health, the importance of early relationships, brain development, attachment, sensory integration, temperament and a variety of other topics.

Reggie Bicha, secretary of the new Department of Children and Families, gave enthusiastic and inspirational opening remarks. Bestselling author and parent educator Mary Sheedy Kurcinka shared her insights, knowledge and expertise in the area of child temperament with both parents and professionals.

A major highlight of the conference was the presentation of the James R. Ryan Memorial Award. This award is intended for an individual who has made a significant contribution to the social-emotional well-being of infants, young children and their families. The nominating committee unanimously selected Therese Ahlers as the first recipient of this award. Ahlers is the founding director of WI-AIMH and a nationally recognized advocate for infants, young children and families. The award ceremony was particularly meaningful and special since the date of the ceremony fell on Jim Ryan’s 65^th birthday and his wife and son were both present at the ceremony. In fact, Lisa Ryan was the one who presented Ahlers with the award.

Overall, the conference was an overwhelming success. One conference attendee, commenting on the quality and content of the presentations, stated that it was “the caliber of a national conference.” WI-AIMH would like to thank the many sponsors and individuals who assisted with funding, planning, organizing and volunteering for this event.

WI-AIMH to offer statewide training sessions
by Janna Hack, infant mental health consultant

The Department of Health and Family Services Infant Mental Health Leadership group has identified the use of the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood as a priority for mental health clinicians providing treatment to children under the age of 4. Additionally, Medicaid now will require the use of the DC:0-3R when billing for services.

WI-AIMH will offer a training session on DC: 0–3R in September. This session introduces infant/family practitioners and policy makers to the concepts, principles, practices and theories of infant mental health. This interactive session includes lecture, discussion and case examples. It also provides an overview of ZERO TO THREE’s DC:0-3R, an approach to understanding and diagnosing the disorders of early childhood. All professionals who touch the lives of infants and toddlers such as home visitors, child care staff, child welfare public health, and case managers are invited to attend this session.

We will also offer a three-day practitioner preparation training. This training reviews key concepts in infant mental health, and highlights the development, philosophy and use of DC:0-3R. It provides an in-depth exploration of DC:0-3R’s multiaxial system, with discussion of each of the five axes. Use of crosswalks between DC:0-3R and ICD-9 or 10 is discussed. In small group intensive case discussions, clinicians apply clinical reasoning and diagnostic thinking to a case presented by the trainer. Participants use the Decision Guidelines to experience the diagnostic process. All licensed mental health professionals that are able to diagnose are invited to attend this training.

For more information and registration materials, please visit our Web site at http://www.wiaimh.org.

National Summit materials available on web
by Therese Ahlers, program director

The second National Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Systems Summit was held on October 11-13, 2007. It was organized by the Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health and ZERO TO THREE, with assistance from the National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health at Georgetown University. This three-day meeting brought together approximately 115 people representing 16 states and several national organizations.

Summit participants engaged in a process to choose three topics for follow-up dialogue by teleconference. The topics chosen were: financing, service delivery and outcomes, and workforce development. Summit follow-up work concluded with the last teleconferences in May 2008. Materials from the summit, including notes from each session and PowerPoint presentations, have been posted on ZERO TO THREE’s Web site. Also posted is an overview of the summit and the suggested recommendations. This information is available at http://www.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_pub_mentalhealth.

The 2007 summit furthered learning and fanned the enthusiasm that was created during the first summit in September 2005. The goal was for participants to learn new strategies to better support the social and emotional development of infants and young children within a comprehensive system. This was accomplished through a balance of large group presentations, small group workshops, and state delegation strategy sessions.

Safe anger: part three
by Janna Hack, Infant Mental Health Consultant

This article, the third in a four-part series, provides concrete ways for parents and caregivers to help children recognize and manage anger in healthy ways. To review the first two installments, see the February and April newsletters on our Web site: http://www.wiaimh.org/newsletter.htm

How should you respond to your angry child?

Minimize the need to say “no” to your child.

·         Move tempting things out of the way and store items in a safe place.

Say “no” when necessary.

·         Clearly explain and enforce limits.

·         Tell the child what is ok for them to do instead.

Use distractions.

·         Redirect the child’s attention toward less frustrating or more acceptable activities.

Give your child choices within the limit of what is acceptable.

If your child has a tantrum, stay within his or her sight and carry on your normal activities without talking to him or her.

Be aware of your feelings and try to stay calm.

·         If a child is hurting himself or others, he may need to be moved to a safer place.

Use closeness or touching.

·         Move closer to your child to lessen his impulses. Some children are calmed by having an adult nearby.

Be ready to show affection.

·         Sometimes a sudden hug or other unexpected affection can help a child regain control. Some children need to be held.

Provide physical outlets.

·         It is important for children to have physical exercise and movement.

Accept your child’s angry feelings.

·         Offer them suggestions for showing their anger in safe ways.

·         Use words like “out of control” rather than “bad child.”

·         Let them know it is ok to be angry but not to hurt people or things.

In our next issue we will explore the question: “what are safe ways of being angry and calming down?”

News in brief

Visit. http://www.wiaimh.org/news_in_brief.htm to view new links to articles and important research related to infant and early childhood mental health.

ZERO TO THREE National Center for Infants and Toddlers releases statement concerning NBC Reality Series "Baby Borrowers"

WI-AIMH agrees with the view that "Baby Borrowers" exploits young children with potential harmful consequences. Visit http://www.zerotothree.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=3381.0 for more information.

Featured resource

The Department of Children and Families, Bureau of Early Care Regulation has launched a new Web site, Licensed Child Care Search http://www.dcf.wisconsin.gov/childcare/licensed/search.htm.

This Web site provides consumers with information on the location of licensed child care centers in their area as well as the results of monitoring visits and investigations conducted by the department. Consumers can search by type of center, county, city, ZIP code and center name. The Web site includes information on the almost 6,000 licensed child care centers in Wisconsin.

Additional resources can be found on the WI-AIMH Web site. Go to http://www.wiaimh.org/ and click on the “Resources” button.

Calendar

See our online calendar for links to more information on these and many other conferences, courses and training sessions. http://www.wiaimh.org/calendar.htm. 

Newsletter submissions

WI-AIMH welcomes submissions for publication in this newsletter. Our staff will review and select articles based on the suitability and timeliness of the subject matter presented. Articles on activities related to infant mental health in various Wisconsin communities, as well as policy updates, especially are welcome. If you have something to contribute, please call (608) 442-0369 or e-mail deana.hipke@cssw.org.

Gifts to WI-AIMH

Your tax-deductible contributions to the Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health always are welcome. If you would like to help, mail your check to the address below. For more information, contact Therese Ahlers at (608) 442-8036 or e-mail: therese.ahlers@cssw.org. We thank you for your continued support!

 

Published six times per year by the Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health (WI-AIMH). 133 S. Butler St., Suite 34, Madison, WI 53703.

WI-AIMH is a program of Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin, a nonprofit corporation.

Feedback

We always appreciate input from our readers. If you have any comments or ideas for this newsletter or for our Web site, please e-mail Deana Hipke at deana.hipke@cssw.org.

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