Consultation Services for Children (CSC) offers collaborative mental health consultation services to early education and care programs located in Metro West towns in Massachusetts.
History
Consultation Services for Children is one of six early childhood mental health consultation programs in the state funded by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) to address the social-emotional needs and challenging behaviors of young children enrolled in early childhood programs. The program which began in 2011 helps to build the capacity of early childhood educators to enhance children’s learning through positive and nurturing interactions.
Program Description
Consultation Services for Children staff visit early childhood programs and conduct program and/or child observations, meet with educators and parents to learn about their concerns, and collaborate with them to complete standardized social-emotional screenings and assessments.
Based on the information gathered, our staff make specific recommendations to support the child in the classroom and at home. Recommendations can also include a referral to a child’s pediatrician, community mental health clinician, early intervention program, or public school special education program for further evaluation purposes. Workshops related to supporting programs efforts to provide a healthy social-emotional environment for all children and address challenging behavior can be scheduled for staff.
Staff
Consultation Services employs three full time licensed and experienced early childhood mental health clinicians who are assigned to specific geographic areas within our catchment areas. The program serves early childhood programs in forty-seven towns in Massachusetts.
Eligibility
Consultation Services for Children services are available to any MA licensed early childhood program including childcare centers, family child care programs, preschool and after-school programs.
Cost
Consultation Services for Children is funded by the Department of Early Education and Care as part of a statewide mental health consultation service initiative. There is no fee charged to programs seeking our consultation services.
