IV. Priority Recommendations (continued)
by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the federal government—set out a recommended schedule for well-child visits. Screening for social- emotional development is a recommended part of these visits. For infants and toddlers birth to three, specifically, the Bright Futures recommended schedule includes screening with an objective and validated screening tool for: general development; Autism Spectrum Disorder; and maternal depression at select well-child visits. In addition, assessment for social-emotional development and psychosocial needs is recommended at all 15 visits from birth to the sixth birthday. Specific studies suggest that the rates of screening for social-emotional development and maternal depression are improving but performance is still below optimal levels. (American Academy of Pediatrics, STAR; Hirai et al., 2018 https:// doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.1524; Tandon, 2017 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2017.04.001; American Academy of Pediatrics, 2009 https://doi. org/10.1542/peds.2009-1061) IECMH Consultation: The role of infant and early childhood mental health consultants has grown in recent years. IECMH consultation uses mental health professionals with early childhood training to partner with other providers in early care and education, home visiting, health care, and child welfare programs. Research on IECMH consultation shows effectiveness in supporting early care and education and other providers’ responses to SEMBH conditions for young children. Specifically, IECMH consultation is associated with improved social-emotional development, increased use of best practices, and greater overall program responses to SEMBH needs. (Davis et al., 2021 https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.21889; Kniegge-Tucker et al., 2020 https://doi.org/10.1002/ imhj.21865; Georgetown University, 2019; Lambarth & Green, 2019 https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.21818; Davis et al., 2019 Davis & Perry, 2016 Gilliam et al., 2016 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2016.06.006; Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation; Administration for Children and Families; National Center for Children in Poverty)
What does research say about this topic? Importance of social-emotional development: Research confirms that young children’s social- emotional development is a key component of school readiness and is a key building block for cognitive development, learning, and future mental health. It is one of the four traditional key domains of young child development. Social-emotional development also has long-term effects on success in school, work, and relationships. Family context, biological and medical conditions, and community context all can make a difference in social-emotional development. (Berry et al., 2021 https://link.springer. com/article/10.1007/s11920-021-01240-0; Johnson et al., 2020; Goodman, 2019 https://doi.org/10.1016/j. apnu.2019.01.010) Part C and SEMBH: Social-emotional development is one of the areas specified for developmental delays or disabilities that can lead to eligibility for Part C services. While every state participating in Part C must provide services in the domain of social- emotional development to children with a delay or disability (or at risk of delay at their option), the criteria and definitions for social-emotional delays vary across states. National surveys and other studies indicate that a small proportion of children become eligible based on social-emotional delays and few social-emotional and behavioral services are delivered under Part C. For young children and their families, an array of programs and services exist that are designed as early intervention to address identified risks or as early childhood mental health treatment. In addition to Part C, states can finance early childhood mental health treatment using Medicaid. (Thomson et al., 2019 https://doi. org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.6694; Smith et al., 2018; Stein et al., 2018 https://doi.org/10.1097/ DBP.0000000000000546; Zeanah & Lieberman, 2016 https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.21590) Screening for social-emotional development: The Bright Futures Guidelines for preventive pediatric health care—developed and endorsed
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