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New Mind in the Making™ Evaluation Brief Released

Between May and November 2009, a cohort of 35 early education and care staff members of Horizons for Homeless Children, a non-profit organization in Boston, participated in Mind in the Making Learning Modules for Early Childhood Teachers™ (MITM). Connected Beginnings Training Institute conducted an evaluation of this implementation of MITM.

CSEFEL Coaches Take Part in Two-Day Training

As the training partner in Massachusetts’ statewide rollout of the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning Pyramid Model (CSEFEL), Connected Beginnings is pleased to be coordinating training and support for CSEFEL Coaches. These Coaches will play a central role in helping the CSEFEL model “come to life” in three demonstration sites: Boston, Worcester and Deerfield.

Limited Openings Now for IN-TIME Training in Infant Mental Health: Southbridge and Hyannis

The IN-TIME series supports the research and science behind early learning, intervention and relationship-based infant mental health practices. It addresses the gap between what we know from brain research, and the role relationships between babies, parents/caregivers and Early Interventionists play in shaping a child’s development during her/his earliest years.

Jewish Family & Children’s Service Infant-Parent Training Institute Master Class with Dr. Alexandra Harrison on March 5, 2010

Enhancing Parent-Child Psychotherapy Through the Use of Videotape

The psychological treatment of young children and their families has changed dramatically in the past few decades due  to the explosion of knowledge in the field of developmental research. An emphasis on the parent-child relationship in promoting developmental change, insights into intersubjectivity, and the understanding of nonverbal communication in the therapeutic and developmental interaction are a few of the important contributions of infant research. Drawing on this expanded groundwork in both psychodynamic and developmental theories, Alexandra Harrison will describe a method of evaluating and treating young children using videotape. She will demonstrate her points with videotapes from child and family evaluations and treatments.

What You Can Do to Support Children and Families in Times of Crisis

Terrible events like the earthquake that has devastated Port au Prince and other communities in Haiti in the past week, can affect us deeply. These events leave many of us feeling at a loss as to how we can help those affected by a disaster of such magnitude. Connected Beginnings offers the following information and suggestions, adapted from a letter written by the Somerville Community Partnership for Children, for ways in which those working with young children and their families can provide such needed support:

The Mind in the Making Mentoring Group

What is the MITM Trainer Mentoring Group? A group for MITM facilitators (whether presently active or not) meeting several times a year in order to obtain support and information from one another and from the group’s facilitators. Group discussions will provide opportunities to share lessons learned from the field, strategies for effective delivery, and program implementation. The Mentoring Group will also be a place in which to discuss future MITM training opportunities.

Creating a Web-based Community of Practice

Connected Beginnings’ website development project is nearing completion. This undertaking, which has been in development for the past 18 months, was designed to launch in two phases. Phase one, Connected Beginnings’ public website, debuted last spring (2009). Phase two is scheduled for launch in the spring of 2010.

Available Positions in Early Childhood Mental Health

There are currently four available positions in Early Childhood Mental Health:

  • MassLAUNCH Coordinator, Department of Public Health
  • Program Manager, Boston LAUNCH, Public Health Commission
  • Program Director, Early Childhood Mental Health, Public Health Commission
  • Program Manager, Boston LAUNCH, Public Health Commission

Click on "read more" for specific information about each position, including application procedures.

Job Opportunity: Family Service of Greater Boston Seeking Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist

Family Service of Greater Boston (FSGB) is seeking a master’s level early childhood developmental specialist to provide site based clinical and training support at a key collaborating early education center, as well as FSGB’s residential parenting program.

Jewish Family and Children's Service Infant-Parent Training Institute Master Class

Dr. Judith Solomon will present the master class Attachment and Caregiving Disorganization: Intergenerational Roots of Relationship Difficulties and Behavioral Challenges for Young Children and Their Caregivers on November 13, 2009 at the JF&CS Headquarters (1430 Main Street, Waltham, MA). More information.