Tiered strategies, based on level of need, can Engage parents in supporting their be used in primary care to support children’s child’s social emotional development. social emotional development. Because the For example, discuss with parents the structure, resources, and needs of primary role of unstructured play in children’s care practices vary, the following are social emotional well-being. examples of strategies that can be used. Screen for family needs, such as housing or food insecurity, that can impact social emotional well-being. Promotion Strengthen relationships with Include fathers in children’s health and community agencies and resources wellness starting prenatally. including early childhood service providers, such as childcare, to support Prevention appropriate referrals and strengthen the Provide generic or common-factor continuum of care for families. interventions with the child and Participate in community advisory family, such as reassurance, specific committees or initiatives related to early advice about lifestyle issues that childhood. affect mental health, anticipatory Sign up for listservs or distribution lists guidance, and parenting strategies. from community groups to stay abreast Use a multidisciplinary team of local events and services for families approach in service provision. outside the primary care office. Conduct developmentally Provide culturally and linguistically appropriate screening and appropriate services using the CLAS assessment. (culturally and linguistically appropriate Screen parents for postpartum services) standards for health care. depression at 1, 2, 4 and 6 months. Promote a culture of family partnership Maintain a system for supported by maintaining opportunities for referrals to meet identified needs. gathering feedback from parents/ Maximize technology to engage caregivers, such as a parent advisory families and increase efficiency. council. Provide family-centered care, including Intervention care coordination, with a focus on the Conduct joint provider case reviews parent-child relationships, family that are inclusive of parents. context, and the role of families in Embed mental health professionals shared decision-making. (e.g. developmental specialists, Build parent-child interaction social workers) in the primary care observation into well-child visits to practice. better understand a client’s social Provide holistic and family centered emotional wellness, assess the families’ care coordination to support the strengths, and make appropriate referrals needs of the identified child and the and/or clinical recommendations. family system. Engage parents in discussion about social emotional developmental indicators. Agencies contributing to position statement Public Health Commission
Tiered strategies, based on level of need, can be used in primary care to support children’s social emotional development. Because the structure, resources, and needs of primary care practices vary, the following are examples of strategies that can be used. Promotion Strengthen relationships with community agencies and resources including early childhood service providers, such as childcare, to support appropriate referrals and strengthen the continuum of care for families. Participate in community advisory committees or initiatives related to early childhood. Sign up for listservs or distribution lists from community groups to stay abreast of local events and services for families outside the primary care office. Provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services using the CLAS (culturally and linguistically appropriate services) standards for health care. Promote a culture of family partnership by maintaining opportunities for gathering feedback from parents/ caregivers, such as a parent advisory council. Provide family-centered care, including care coordination, with a focus on the parent-child relationships, family context, and the role of families in shared decision-making. Build parent-child interaction observation into well-child visits to better understand a client’s social emotional wellness, assess the families’ strengths, and make appropriate referrals and/or clinical recommendations. Engage parents in discussion about social emotional developmental indicators. Engage parents in supporting their child’s social emotional development. For example, discuss with parents the role of unstructured play in children’s social emotional well-being. Screen for family needs, such as housing or food insecurity, that can impact social emotional well-being. Include fathers in children’s health and wellness starting prenatally. Prevention Provide generic or common-factor interventions with the child and family, such as reassurance, specific advice about lifestyle issues that affect mental health, anticipatory guidance, and parenting strategies. Use a multidisciplinary team approach in service provision. Conduct developmentally appropriate screening and assessment. Screen parents for postpartum depression at 1, 2, 4 and 6 months. Maintain a system for supported referrals to meet identified needs. Maximize technology to engage families and increase efficiency. Intervention Conduct joint provider case reviews that are inclusive of parents. Embed mental health professionals (e.g. developmental specialists, social workers) in the primary care practice. Provide holistic and family centered care coordination to support the needs of the identified child and the family system. Agencies contributing to position statement Public Health Commission