I agreed to participate!!

The following study published in Infant Mental Health, Implementation of a Mental Health Consultation Model and it's Impact on Early Childhood Teachers' Efficacy and Competence, was conducted by Tulane University in Louisiana child care centers.  I was teaching at the time and participated in this research project.  The main idea was if teachers were socially and emotionally supported within their teaching environments, they would be more effective as teachers in an early learning environment.  Mental health consultants came to our center and offered support through individual classroom observations and group conversations.  We discussed whatever "drama" was occurring in the work environment and any other concerns we may have had about the children in our care.  We were basically given an onsite mental health consultant that visited every other week.
As a result, our center staff became close and we verbalized any concerns, instead of letting them boil and bubble through gossip.  The study concludes what I saw evident in the center I was working.  Mental health support, offered on a large, state led scale can increase teacher efficacy. I and my fellow staff members returned to work after many of these sessions, inspired to work as a team and for the children we were teaching.   I was happy to contribute to the growing body of knowledge that works to improve teacher child relationships and the efficacy of early learning programs.
Walden University Discovery Service: Implementation of a mental health consultation model and its impact on earl...

At the National Conventions, the Words They Used

Really cool tool!  Try typing in "early childhood" or "education," very interesting!!

At the National Conventions, the Words They Used - Interactive Feature - NYTimes.com

Every Child, Every Nation

International Early Childhood Field

We Are One

After reading everyone's entries concerning the goals of other nations, one thing is clear.  We are all after the same thing and we must continue the unified pursuit for a positive childhood for all.

Promoting a Positive Childhood - ACEI Blog | Association for Childhood Education International

Issue and Trend in Early Childhood

I've learned so much! Glad to know there is reform in the air!
Ed Dept’s District-Level Competition Keeps Door Open for PreK-3rd Reforms | NewAmerica.net

Sharing Web Resources

THE DECADE FOR CHILDHOOD 2012-2022

Embracing the human future.

Exploring childhood today, creating new opportunities for childhood tomorrow.

On March 30, 2012, during the Global Summit on Childhood, ACEI and the Alliance for Childhood launched the 

Decade for Childhood, a 10-year initiative that provides 

opportunities for individuals and organizations 

to disseminate knowledge, consider best policies and practices, and support a global conversation about childhood.

Here are some articles from this section of the ACEI website:

The Decade for Childhood 2012-2022
The State of Childhood
Children Investing in Childhood
Goals of the Decade
Ten Pillars of a Good Childhood
All Pages

Real Cuts, Real Consequences

frac.org/pdf/stakeholder_quotes_snap_jul10_2012.pdf

Subsidies and High Needs

What are we really doing to help 42% of our nation's children?

Federal Child Care Subsidies Are Not Necessarily Linked to High-Quality Care | NewAmerica.net

"To leverage our federal dollars more efficiently – and provide the highest-need children with high-quality care – we should further study the barriers that low-income families face in access, affordability and quality of care, and refocus our money and our effort on filling those holes."