Harnessing Every Opportunity to Expand Critical Components of the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health System of Care
This policy vignette highlights efforts in Alabama to grow multiple aspects of the infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) system. From forming an IECMH association and creating a full-time IECMH state coordinator position, to expanding mental health consultation in early childhood education settings, piloting perinatal mental health consultation services and allowing mental health clinicians to bill Medicaid using their own license, the state is intentionally expanding critical components of the IECMH system of care. The vignette also shares key lessons learned.