Early Childhood Mental Health Services Act

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Mental Health Services Act – Regional Center Projects Focusing on Early Childhood

The Department of Developmental Services receives Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funds for regional centers to develop and oversee innovative projects. These projects focus on treatment for children and families with mental health diagnoses. The following projects focused on mental health for young children and their families:

FY 2017/18 THROUGH 2019/20

Harbor Regional Center Side by Side: Enriching Children’s Lives through Parent-Provider Relationships

In collaboration with the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health, the County of Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services, and other local community partners, the project will convene a planning and advisory board to identify local needs and system challenges. The project will provide symposiums for service providers and parent workshops, culminating in a final symposium inclusive of service providers and parents. This project will specifically:

Develop and increase competence of the early intervention workforce;
Guide future trainings on early intervention;
Increase parental knowledge of child development;
Improve engagement with families;
Increase progress in social and emotional development; and,
Increase collaboration and coordination of services.

South Central Los Angeles Regional Center Engaging Families to Effectively Support Their Child’s Social and Emotional Development

In collaboration with Eastern Los Angeles Family Resource Center, this project will train Early Start partners to provide evidence-based, prevention and early intervention services to families and their children, including adult consumers with children at risk. This project will also improve identification of social and emotional delays, increase referrals, and implement evidence-based supports and services to enhance family relationships and improve social and emotional development.

FY 2014/15 through 2016/17

Central Valley Regional Center
Enhancing Cultural Competence in Clinical Care Settings - The 4C

In collaboration with Central California Children's Institute, this project expanded the content of Central Valley Regional Center's (CVRC) MHSA Cycle II project, the Foundations of Infant Mental Health Training Program. Enhancing Cultural Competence in Clinical Care Settings - The 4C, through team-based learning, promoted culturally competent clinical care and systems coordination in early childhood mental health. The project was framed around two models, The Neurorelational Framework (NRF) and Use of Self as a Cultural Being.

FY 2011/12 through 2013/14

Central Valley Regional Center
Foundations of Infant Mental Health Training Program

The program developed and implemented a multi-county, multi-disciplinary program for professionals from agencies within the regional center catchment area. It is directly responsive to the professional development needs of these agencies.
North Bay Regional Center
Project Connect

The project addressed barriers and gaps across the early childhood mental health service systems in the tri-county region. Project Connect familiarized agencies and professionals with the importance of the social-emotional well-being of young children. Training prepared professionals to support, evaluate, intervene early, and treat the mental health needs of young children and support their families.

FY 2008/09 through 2010/11

Golden Gate Regional Center
Infant Mental Health Training

This project developed and implemented training on infant mental health (relationship-based preventive intervention practice) utilizing evidence-based service models.
San Andreas Regional Center
Santa Clara County Infant Family Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate Program

This project established a collaborative community partnership. This partnership provided strategic professional development to strengthen a diverse workforce of collaborative and trans-disciplinary partners.
San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center
Training on Strategies for Working with and Supporting the Children and Families of Young Consumers at Risk for Abuse and Trauma

This project convened training for early start and adult providers, families, clinicians, and regional center staff on the best strategies for working with and supporting the children and families of young consumers at risk for abuse and trauma. Additional training focused on families, consumers, and providers who work with adults and adolescents with developmental disabilities and mental illness.