Healthy Minds for the Future 

Healthy Minds for the Future supports healthy attachment, self-control, and initiative. Healthy Minds for the Future is a promising practice for developing healthy, resilient families. The practice has found that when parents/families are well-versed in the nuances of child development in multiple domains, 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 

The development of educators and families to understand and promote healthy emotional and social development.  

Benefits at UCCC include: 

1. Home Visits 
2. Screening and Assessments 
3. Monthly Family Education Events
4. Parent-Educator Conferences  

Prevention

Prevention activities for children at risk for impaired social and emotional development, and their families and educators. Factors that predict mental health problems can be identified during the early years of childhood. Early detection and intervention strategies for mental health issues improve children's resilience and ability to succeed in life.  

Benefits 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

Intervention activities for children exhibiting challenging behaviors, and their families and educators. Factors that predict mental health problems can be identified during the early years of childhood. Early detection and intervention strategies for mental health issues improve children's resilience and ability to succeed in life.  

Benefits at UCCC 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

Resources 

Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Model - The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning Vanderbilt University

Take The ACE Quiz — And Learn What It Does And Doesn't Mean - NPR

Nadine Burke Harris: How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime - TED Talk

Missouri Department of Mental Health