The California Department of Social Services, in partnership with WestEd, recently announced that the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Network will be offering a round of virtual Community of Support groups at no cost to home-based child care and early education providers across California. This series aims to provide a consistent and supportive space for providers from diverse backgrounds and settings to connect and share their experiences caring for young children and their families.
There will be groups offered for Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers and Family Child Care Home (FCCH) providers to strengthen their experiences and support their unique needs. Participants have the opportunity to earn a stipend of up to $125 for participating in a Community of Support group. Groups will be offered in English and Spanish starting in September.
Before registering for a Community of Support group, we strongly encourage providers to attend one virtual Information Session. During this session participants will learn about stipends, resource materials, group themes, and instructions on how to register for a group. View the IECMHC Events page to register for an information session on one of the following dates:
- Wednesday, August 28, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (English and Spanish)
- Wednesday, September 4, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (English and Spanish)
- Thursday, September 5, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (English and Spanish)
Please view the Community of Support flyer for more information.