Educating on Young Children’s Emotional Health
The main focus of the Early Childhood Mental Health subcommittee of AOK is to promote coordinated and collaborative early childhood mental health services, to raise public awareness to reduce stigma of mental health services, and to educate providers. Every year, the network in Will County offers training on early childhood mental health.
Local speakers present on various topics, which have included: post-partum depression, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, social and emotional activities to do with children, art therapy, mental health in the Hispanic community, interventions for the young child, shaken baby syndrome, and working with homeless families. Many professionals in the community attend each year. With additional education, providers are more aware and able to help and serve Will County families.