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  WHAT is Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health  Consultation (IECMHC)? 

Consultation is a collaborative, relationship-based intervention to  support and build the capacity of the adults, such as educators, social workers, coaches and technical assistants. Infant and early childhood mental health consultation is not about “fixing kids,” nor is it therapy. IECMHC prepares adults to help healthy social and emotional development in infants and young children. Consultation services aim to promote awareness of social and emotional development, prevent mental health crises, and treat challenging behaviors. 

An infant and early childhood mental health consultant  is a mental health professionalwith specialized knowledge of social, emotional and relational development  who: 

Uses his or her training and knowledge to highlight the psychological experiences of young children, often translating the 
unique ways children communicate their needs. 

Forms supportive relationships with adults working with young children. 

 WHO Do Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants Serve?

This strength-based approach pairs a mental health consultant with adults who work with infant and young children, from birth to age five, in the settings they learn and grow such as early childhood education centers, preschools, early intervention programs or even at home. The consultant brings together a team with a common goal and helps them problem solve about concerns related to to a specific child, classroom or early childhood education program. 

 WHY is it Important to Address Social, Emotional and Relational Health in Infants
and Young Children?

    • All children deserve the same attention to their social-emotional development as is given to their physical development. 
    • Early experiences and early relationships promote learning and emotional regulation and expression, ultimately laying the foundation for long-term well-being and school success. 
    • Sometimes typical social-emotional development can be interrupted, creating social, emotional or behavioral difficulties, which are critical to address early. 
    • Early childcare providers may have firsthand experience of the impact of the serious emotions of young children but feel uncertain in how to handle it.  

HOW Can You Make a Referral or Obtain More Information?

Through the support from Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina Foundation and the Preschool Development Grant from South Carolina Department of Social Services, SCIMHA  will  provide consultation services  FREE of charge.  

Any parent or childcare agency can call (833) 472-4642 or start a referral online.

Click Here to begin the intake process. 

For individual child cases, parents must consent to services prior to consultant’s involvement 


 Tele-Mental Health Consultation Services:

Tele-Mental health consultation allows any individual caring for young children to connect with one of the PEAR Network's mental health consultants for a brief consultation.

Learn More about Tele-Mental Health Consultation

*Please note that we are not equipped to offer emergency mental health services. If this is a  life-threatening  emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. If this is a mental health emergency, please call the Department of Mental Health’s statewide crisis response center at (833) 364-2274.   

Contact Us:

1 Carriage Lane, Suite J
Charleston, SC 29407

(833) 472-4642

admin@scimha.org

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