Healthy Minds for the Future is a promising practice for developing healthy, resilient families; including promoting healthy attachments, self-control, and initiative.

The practice has found that when parents/families are well-versed in the nuances in child development in across multiple areas, they will be more attuned to children’s needs and more likely to be involved in and promote positive growth. The program provides vital support for children, teachers, and families; providing a positive social and emotional environment for all young children through programming that spans a continuum of mental health services and supports. 

Promotion

 At UCCC, teachers and families work together to better understand and promote healthy emotional and social development through:

1. Home Visits 

2. Screening and Assessments 

3. Monthly Family Education Events

4. Parent-Educator Conferences  

Prevention

Factors that predict mental health problems can be identified during the early years of childhood. At UCCC, we use early detection and intervention strategies for mental health issues to improve children's resilience and ability to succeed in life.  The strategies we use at UCCC include:  

1. Consultation and coaching for families

2. Two Center Support Specialists 

3. St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute analysts visit classrooms on a regular basis and consult with the teachers about the children in their care

Intervention

Similar to prevention, UCCC uses intervention strategies for mental health issues to improve children's resilience and ability to succeed in life.  UCCC’s intervention strategies include:

1. Individualized support plans

2. Targeted interventions at home and in the classroom

3. Coaching 

4. Referrals and collaboration with mental health providers for mental health services as needed