Session 1

Mindful Self-Compassion

How can we become our own inner friend rather than an inner enemy?  Self-compassion is a skill that can be learned and practiced to enhance our health and well-being.  In this workshop, we will learn about the three main components of self-compassion and how research supports the use of this skill to build our coping and resiliency skills.  We will also explore  and practice different self-compassion exercises and you will learn how to develop your own self-compassion practice.

Presenters: Beth Smetana & Martha Stolp

Session 2

Culturally- Sensitive Approach to Attachment Work with Families & Individuals

Attendees will learn and expand on knowledge of attachment and early childhood experiences as well as techniques and activities to do with children, families, and individuals to help build secure attachment. Additionally, attendees will be challenged to consider cultural factors that may not align with techniques, skills, and information often taught and encouraged by direct-care staff and clinicians, learned within a Euro-centric system.

Presenter: Daniela Guerrero

Session 3

Hand to heart: Building Relationships Through the Sense of Touch

Touch is a powerful relational tool—so simple yet highly complex, it provides us with our first understanding of ourselves and fosters trust in others. In this presentation, we will take an in-depth look at tactile processing and the intricate role it plays in relational development. Together, we will explore the neurobiological structure of the tactile system, how it functionally integrates with the other 7 senses, and connections to emotion and regulation. We will delve into cultural and societal values related to touch and the influence it has on our relationships. Finally, we will explore ways to individualize tactile strategies to meet caregiver identified dyadic goals.

Objectives:

• Participants will demonstrate understanding of the neurobiological structure of the tactile system as it relates to regulation, emotion, and attachment.

• Participants will explore the complexities culture and societal values play in relationships and the use of touch.

• Participants will explain how and why one might use tactile strategies to facilitate caregiver identified relational outcomes.

Presenter: Gretchen Crabb

Session 4

The Complexity of Holding Group: Conversations with Carol

Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RSC) groups are a great way for individuals and teams to engage in reflective practices and strengthen their ability to hold a relational and reflective frame in their work with families and one another. But groups can be complex and challenging! Join this session to engage in dialogue with Carol Noddings Eichinger and one another to explore the richness, magic, and complexity of holding group space for reflection.

Objectives:

• Explore a number of challenges unique to the RSC group experience.

• Explore the use of team building exercises and approaches in supporting reflective and relational practices.

• Consider how reflective practices have changed (or not changed) over time and the impact of the pandemic and virtual relationships on the group RSC experience.

Presenter: Carol Noddings Eichinger

Session 5

State of the State: Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health in Wisconsin

This session will feature a panel of professionals from different IMH sectors: Mental Health, Home Visiting, Early Care and Education, Pediatrics/Public Health —to share current themes, challenges, new practices/resources, or changes in the work, and provide attendees with a better understanding of the state of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health in Wisconsin.

Moderator & Presenters: Delechia Johnson (WI-AIMH Pyramid Model Regional Lead), Annette Copa (pediatrics), Ashley Barlow (Home visiting), Meredith Viatoli (ECE/Public Health- Disability Resources)

Session 6

With Dignity: Intentional Connections with Fathers

Members of the Direct Assistance for Dad's (DAD) Project will examine social determinants that contribute to parenting outcomes of fathers where we will explore how intentional relationship building and improved practices increase engagement and completion of goals. Stories of fathers will be explored, offering insight of their journey and commitment to parenting education.

Objectives:

• Gain a basic understanding of general barriers some community of fathers face statewide

• Learn how improved practices for fatherhood home visiting programs contribute to the success of fathers

• Experience stories of the outcome of fathers through relationships and community collaboration

• Review facts around men’s general health and mental health

Presenter: David Comer & DAD Project Staff

Session 7

An Inter-Professional Approach to Diagnosis and Case Formulation using the DC:05™ Framework

Infant Mental Health (IMH) professionals understand that early childhood mental health and development occur within community, cultural and family contexts. Akin to this understanding, the DC:05 is a multifaceted diagnostic system used to identify mental health and developmental conditions in young children ages birth to 5. An interprofessional approach embedded in an IMH framework enhances application of the DC:05 and potentially promotes optimal outcomes.

This session is ideal for professionals in early intervention, OT, PT, speech/communication therapies, mental health, and health care who serve infants and young children and their families. During this fast paced, interactive session, participants will:

• Understand the multifaceted nature of the DC:05 diagnostic system.

• Comprehend the crosswalk between IMH and IPP competencies as related to the DC:05.

• Integrate and apply knowledge about the DC:05, IMH and IPP competencies using case vignettes.

Presenter: Julia Yeary, LCSW, IMH-E® & Kris Barnekow

Session 8

Infant Attachment and Bonding- How Play and Play Therapy Can Foster Our Earliest Relationships

At the end of the presentation, attendees should be able to:

• Define Infant Mental Health.

• Understand how FirstPlay® Infant Play Therapy can help aid building a healthy attachment and bond between infant and parent/caregiver.

• Discuss concrete ways to develop healthy attachment and bonding between infant and parent/caregiver.

Presenter: Candace Rutkowski

SESSION 9

Managing Difficulties that Arise in the Parallel Process When Working with Young Children and Families

This session acknowledges that work with young children and families can bring up a myriad of emotions and these emotions may be challenging to manage in the moment. We will explore the ways in which trauma, early experiences, and difficulty in parent regulation may lead to the parallel process of feeling overwhelmed in our work. Concepts such as co-regulation and polyvagal theory along with trauma-informed practices and practical tools to settle our nervous systems will be addressed in this session. Participants will be able to identify ways in which they can utilize a variety of tools to regulate themselves, parents and children in their work through avenues such as mindfulness, sensory strategies and the use of physical tools.

Learners will be able to:

• Identify 3 tools that the home visitor/provider can use in the moment to regulate themselves

• Identify 3 tools that they can leave with the family that will allow for regulation of the caregiver-child dyad.

Presenters: Melissa Haas, OTR/L, MSW, LCSW, IMH-E®

Session 10

Understanding the Intersection of Equity and Trauma: Perspectives on Power, Privilege, and Reflexivity in the Mental Health Setting

This workshop will explore key concepts within the areas of equity, historical trauma, collective trauma and colonization within the mental health setting. An initial primer on these concepts will be provided. Participants will gain an understanding of the role that power plays within the relationship between client and provider as well as the importance of self and organizational reflexivity. Participants will walk away with ways in which they can use collaborative discourse with clients and target populations to inform ethical practice and understand context.

Presenter: Melanie Heidl, DAT, ATR-BC, LPC

SESSION 11

Nurturing Healthy Minds: An Introduction to Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation

In this workshop session we will explore what infant and early childhood mental health consultation is and the benefits it can bring to those working in early child care and education programs. Participants will learn about consultation through the lens and model of Healthy Minds Healthy Children (HMHC), WI-AIMH’s consultation program. We will give a brief summary and overview of the outcomes and evaluation results from the initial grant cycle for HMHC. Participants will gain an understanding of what consultation is and the impact it has on ECE providers, young children and their families through the use of case studies and discussion.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will gain an understanding of what infant and early childhood mental health consultation is.

• Participants will learn how infant and early childhood mental health consultation in early child care and education programs is implemented. ​

• Through the use of case scenarios and discussion, participants will learn how infant and early childhood mental health consultation improves outcomes for children, families, staff and programs.

• Participants will gain awareness of the Healthy Minds Healthy Children Program and learn more about the outcomes and benefits from this initiative.

Presenters: Ashley Bowers & Anne Konen

SESSION 12

RSLC Fishbowl (Closed Group for Learning Collaborative)

In this session 2024-2025 RSLC participants will observe a live RSC session followed by facilitated discussion and Q&A. This session is closed and only available to current RSLC participants.

Presenter: Carol Noddings Eichinger