This overview of the foundations of mental health in children 0-5 will cover the signs and symptoms of mental health concerns in infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children. The training will highlight a trauma-informed approach to assessment and treatment. Attendees will gain an understanding of the evolution of diagnostic systems, common diagnoses, and overlapping presentations in childhood disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, PTSD, attachment disorders, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. We will also talk about resiliency and protective factors in childhood.

Learners will:

• Increase awareness of symptoms of early mental health in infants and young children
• Increase understanding of some of the most common behavioral and mental health diagnoses in early childhood
• Understand why a trauma-informed approach is foundational to work with young children and families

Who should attend: All staff of family resource centers (FRCs), child abuse prevention councils (CAPCs), community-based organizations, and other child- and family-serving systems.