2024 Celebrate Babies Week Guide
Babies and their caregivers are at the heart of healthy development for lifelong mental wellness. Celebrate Babies Week 2024 brings awareness to the importance of nurturing relationships and creating safe, loving environments for infants and young children to thrive. INfancy Onward, a program of Mental Health America of Indiana, has prepared materials to support all caregivers, families and early childhood professionals, in fostering these critical connections.
You will find resources that offer guidance on promoting emotional security, understanding infant and early childhood mental health, and supporting the social and emotional development of young children. Thank you for taking the time to learn and engage with these tools. Together, we can ensure a brighter, healthier future for our Hoosier babies.
2024 CELEBRATE BABIES WEEK GUIDE
Key Messages
- Press Release
- Social Media Assets
- Sample Communications for Email or Newsletters
Materials for Families
Materials for Indiana Early Childhood Professionals
KEY MESSAGES
SOCIAL MEDIA ASSETS
Download & Share These Images:
Don’t forget to tag us!
Instagram: @mentalhealthindiana &
@infancyonwardin
X: @mhaindiana & @INfancyOnward
Facebook: infancyonward & mhaofindiana
SAMPLE COMMUNICATIONS FOR EMAIL OR NEWSLETTERS
The following sample communication can be customized by agencies or child care providers and used in newsletters or emails to caregivers.
At (Organization Name) , the mental well-being of babies and young children is a priority. We know that creating secure, loving environments is essential for healthy development. That’s why we are committed to fostering open conversations about infant and early childhood mental health throughout Celebrate Babies Week!
Our goal is to ensure that every child has the support they need to thrive. By working together, families, caregivers, and professionals can help nurture strong emotional bonds and respond proactively to early concerns.
We invite you to explore the resources around the state and stay tuned for more activities we’ll be hosting. Together, we can ensure all babies feel safe, loved, and valued.
MATERIALS FOR FAMILIES
MOMS HELPLINE INDIANA
Moms Helpline helps Indiana women get the answers and resources they need. Whether you’re looking for an OBGYN, diapers, or a place to ask parenting questions, our Communication Specialists will be there to assist you—because every woman should feel supported during motherhood. We connect you with resources within your community and from state agencies to help you and your child live happy and healthy lives.
INDIANA NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP
Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is a national, evidence-based, community health program with over 40 years of evidence showing significant improvements in the health and lives of first-time moms and their children. NFP empowers families to transform their lives and futures by having trained nurses regularly visit moms-to-be starting early in pregnancy and continuing through their first child’s second birthday. The nurses are trained to provide support to the first-time mom and baby specific to their current phase, from pregnancy, infancy, and toddlerhood. The primary goals of the program are to improve pregnancy outcomes, child health and development, and families’ economic self-sufficiency.
MATERNAL INFANT & EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITING
To improve maternal and child health, early childhood development, and family well-being of pregnant people and parents with children up to kindergarten entry — especially those living in communities identified as at risk for poor maternal and child health outcomes — by supporting the delivery of coordinated and comprehensive high-quality and voluntary early childhood home visiting services to eligible families.
BRIGHTER FUTURES INDIANA
Brighter Futures Indiana offers information to empower families, like yours, in their search for the highest-quality learning experiences for their children. These resources are here to support you in your journey as your child’s first and best teacher. This site also supports the unique and critical responsibilities of programs and providers, as well as, serving up important information for engaged community partners.
FIND CHILDCARE
Finding child care for your family can feel like a big task, but there are many tools to help you choose the best program for your child.
ACT EARLY INDIANA
Act Early Indiana promotes awareness of healthy child development, teaches parents the appropriate developmental milestones and helps promote early detection for autism awareness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program aims to improve early identification of children with autism and other developmental disabilities so children and families can get the services and support they need as early as possible.
MATERIALS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS
INFANT MENTAL HEALTH ENDORSEMENT® (IMH-E®)
Boost your expertise in early childhood development by earning the IMH- E® (Infant Mental Health Endorsement®)! This endorsement recognizes your specialized knowledge and skills in supporting the social-emotional well-being of infants, toddlers, and their families. Whether you’re a professional working with expectant families, or with children aged 0-36
months, the IMH-E® sets you apart as an expert in fostering healthy early relationships. Gain access to advanced training, reflective consultation, and demonstrate your commitment to the best outcomes for young children. Start your journey towards endorsement today and elevate your impact in the field of early childhood mental health!
EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH ENDORSEMENT® (ECMH-E®)
Enhance your professional skills and make a lasting impact on children’s mental health with the ECMH-E® (Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement®)! This endorsement is designed for professionals working with children ages 3 through 6 and their families. Each ECMH-E® category includes specific requirements for work experience, education, in-service training, and reflective supervision or consultation, tailored to support the mental and emotional well-being of young children. Applicants will also demonstrate key competencies to achieve this highly respected credential.
BECOME A MEMBER
Join INfancy Onward and be a part of a growing community dedicated to supporting the mental health and development of Indiana’s youngest children! As a member, you’ll gain access to valuable resources, discounted professional development opportunities, networking with experts in the field, the chance to advocate for infant and early childhood mental health, and a spot in one of our virtual, reflective consultation groups for Endorsement applicants. Whether you’re a practitioner, educator, or advocate, INfancy Onward membership provides the tools and support you need to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young children and families. Elevate your work and become a champion for Indiana’s infants, toddlers, and young children today!
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR REFLECTIVE SUPERVISION/CONSULTATION
Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RSC) is an ongoing professional development practice for the infant and early childhood workforce. Through regularly scheduled reflective sessions, the professional and their supervisor/consultant establish a collaborative and reflective alliance. RSC supports the professional in addressing the challenges of their work and leads to better service to families. The relationship, in which the professional feels seen, heard, and understood, provides a model for strengthening relationships and promoting the growth and development of babies, young children, their parents, and caregivers. Concretely, RSC provides a regular opportunity for a professional to talk about their work and the impact their work has on themselves and others. RSC fosters critical self-awareness and the ability to consider multiple perspectives, all of which enhance an organization’s implementation of a relationship-based culture.