Infant Mental Health and IDEA Part C Position Paper

This position paper from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Infant Toddler Coordinators’ Association (ITCA) outlines how to effectively integrate infant mental health approaches into IDEA Part C early intervention programs like Early Start. ITCA gives a background of Part C and definitions for infant mental health, and goes on to provide examples of varying levels of approaches that can be applied in early intervention activities, and skills and strategies that early intervention providers can use to enhance the social-emotional development of infants and toddlers.

The ICC-Recommended Early Start Personnel Manual (ESPM) describes core knowledge and role-specific competencies needed for early intervention service provision, incorporating current research and evidence in the field of early intervention. To access the ESPM, CLICK HERE.

This resource is related to the following ESPM knowledge-level competencies:

Core Knowledge (CK):
- CK2: The role of primary social and emotional relationships as the foundation for early learning.
Individualized Family Service Plan Development and Review (IFSP-i):
- IFSP-i3 (EIS): Is familiar with generic and specific evidence-based early intervention strategies to support all areas of development.