WE SUPPORT FAMILIES & PROFESSIONALS
Our vision is for all of Georgia’s infants and young children to be safe and nurtured through consistent, caregiving relationships so they can reach their fullest potential.
GA-AIMH Mission and Vision
Our VISION is for all of Georgia’s infants and young children to be safe and nurtured through consistent, caregiving relationships so they can reach their fullest potential.
Our MISSION is to promote family, infant and early childhood mental health as foundational to development by:
- Raising awareness of young children’s social and emotional needs,
- Building culturally responsive preventive and therapeutic professional capacities,
- Fostering interdisciplinary and cross-system collaboration by supporting professionals working with and on behalf of infants, young children, and their families and,
- Advocating for and supporting policies in the best interest of infants, young children, families, and communities.
GA-AIMH Goals
To promote throughout Georgia the healthy social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of young children through supportive and nurturing relationships from conception through five years of age;
To facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration among individuals concerned with promoting conditions that will bring about the optimal development of young children and child-caregiver and child-parent relationships;
To encourage the understanding that early childhood is a sensitive period in the psychosocial development of individuals;
To promote education, research and study on social-emotional development during early childhood.
To increase the integration/inclusion of I-ECMH content in pre-service training programs that prepare students who will work with young children and their families;
To promote education, professional development and expertise of diverse professionals who work with young children concerning the mental health of young children, parents, families and other caregivers;
To promote the development of scientifically based and evidence-informed practices of care across the infant and early childhood mental health continuum of services (promotion, prevention, intervention, and treatment).
To integrate I-ECMH competencies into the state, local and regional trainings that are designed to build a more specialized workforce with experiences and learning tools that support early relational health.
History of GA-AIMH
Explore Our Initiatives
I/ECMH Endorsement®
A key component of GA-AIMH is the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (I/ECMH) Endorsement® created by the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health.
Training & Events
GA-AIMH is committed to supporting the families and professionals across Georgia who promote infant and early childhood mental health. Click on more information for our upcoming training and events.
Resources
Are you seeking more information about Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH)? Click on more information to browse helpful resources for families and professionals.
Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator Training
We are excited to bring the Circle of Security Parenting (COSP) Facilitator Training to Athens this summer and are gathering interest from potential participants.
If you’re interested in attending this training and strengthening your ability to support families and young children, please submit your interest today!
https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/suggest-a-training-location/
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and bring relationship-based, attachment-focused parenting support to your community!
When: June 9-12, 2025
Where: Early Learning Center, Athens, Georgia
Cost: Early Bird Registration: $1000 | General Registration: $1200
Note: Submitting your interest does not obligate you to register for the training. You will be notified when registration is open so you can take advantage of the early bird registration rate.
For more information about the COSP Training, visit (www.circleofsecurityinternational.com).
Featured IECMH Videos
In collaboration with the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), GA-AIMH created a webinar series focusing on infant and early childhood mental health. The series is aimed at early childhood educators, the birth-to-five workforce, and families.
Understanding Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health for Families
Learning Objectives
- Clearly define infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH)
- Describe the importance of the caregiver-child dyad in promoting infant and early childhood mental health
- Describe the impact of early trauma on the brain
- Describe how to promote social-emotional competence in young children
Mental Health Awareness for the Birth to Five Workforce
Learning Objectives
- Define infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH)
- Recognize common mental health concerns of young children ages 0-5
- Identify the effects of early childhood adversity on young children’s mental health and development
- Identify ways you can promote the mental health of young children
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health for the Early Childhood Educator
Learning Objectives
- Describe infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH)
- Describe the reasons young children experience mental health concerns
- Describe the impact of early adverse experiences on development
- Describe the importance of early childhood educators for mitigating the impact of trauma on development
- Describe evidence-based strategies for promoting social-emotional competence for all children
More
RECENT NEWS
Are you an expecting or new mom experiencing mental health challenges?
Get support by phone or text at: 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746)
Available toll-free in English and Spanish. TTY Users can use a preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 1-833-943-5746.
Search for free or reduced cost services like medical care, food, child care, financial assistance, job training and more.
Support Children's Mental Health
The early years of a child’s life provide a key opportunity to establish safe and secure relationships to support healthy social and emotional development. Watch the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) video; it promotes early relational health and empowers caregivers to support children’s mental health.
What about mental health for infants and toddlers?
When most of us consider infant and toddler care, we think of pediatrician check-ups, immunizations, and vision and hearing screenings. But mental health for infants and toddlers? Babies do have mental health—and it’s a critical springboard into a life of well-being. Hear about the policy advances that GEEARS and its partners have achieved on behalf of Georgia’s youngest children.
Contributions from community partners like you, help to support this mission and expand access for infant mental health to more families in need. You can play a critical role in the success of this program by making a charitable donation.
On the giving page, under designation, select "Georgia Association for Infant Mental Health, MCCHD."
Contact Us
Address
Center for Leadership in Disability
Urban Life Building
140 Decatur Street SE
Suite 140
Atlanta, GA 30303