Prevention and early intervention have long been policy and practice goals of child psychiatrists and other mental health advocates based on awareness that prompt identification and early remediation efforts with at-risk children has large impact on clinical outcomes extending through the life cycle. In the past decade, public funding has begun to support mental health consultation to other agency programs serving preschool children and their at-risk families. This program will provide child and adolescent psychiatrists with knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to participate effectively in settings that serve children ages 0-5 years, their families, and their agency care providers and managers.

This day-long program explores the science and state of clinical practice in the early childhood arena to provide attendees with pragmatic tools for application in clinical settings in which child psychiatrics may be consultants and providers of care. Charles Zeanah, M.D., will focus on protective and pathogenic factors during development as a prelude to elucidating potential child psychiatric contributions for very young children and their families. You will then hear a review of the current state of mental health programming for this population across the country along with a review of the evolving evidence-base for these early childhood efforts. A special lunch presentation by Janice Cooper, Ph.D. will honor the career of Jane Knitzer, Ph.D., author of Unclaimed Children, with a focus on current research and advocacy efforts of the National Center for Children in Poverty. Afternoon session will address the clinical pragmatics and tools relevant to mental health practice in the arena of early childhood services as well as features of community-based practices that are necessary for successful engagement of young families. Child psychiatric engagement with early childhood serving systems such as child welfare, HEAD START and other public systems can advance clinically sound efforts in early intervention and prevention.

The cost of the symposium is $75.00 for pre-registrants (before September 15, 2010), $100 after and onsite (if available). The cost for New York Providers/Clinicians/Service Agency Representative/Administrators is $45. Medical students and residents can attend for FREE! Registration includes a continental breakfast, lunch and CME credit. Space is limited - register early! This program is offered by the AACAP Work Group on Systems of Care for Children with Serious Emotional Disorders and is cosponsored by the Center for Mental Health Services. For further information, please call Adriano Boccanelli at 202-966-7300, ext 133.

Please note: Registration for this program is separate from your AACAP Annual Meeting registration and needs to be paid for separately.