In the News

Early Childhood Mental Health Certification Program Now Available
Cleveland State University, in conjunction with Berea Children's Home and Family Services is beginning a certification program in Early Childhood Mental Health. The purpose of this 16-credit hour program is to prepare graduate students and professionals from a variety of disciplines to work with young children and their parents and caregivers to promote healthy development of young children who are at-risk for mental health problems. The certificate program will be taught Ann Bauer, Ph.D. Cleveland State University Faculty and Ben Kearney, Ph.D., Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Berea Children's Home and Family Services and adjunct professor at Cleveland State University.

Early Child Mental Health Services are support services designed to strengthen the optimal development of children ages 0-3 years. Young children and families served include those with medical problems, identified disabilities or developmental delays; as well as parents can be considered at social or emotional risk in the care-giving role. The services rely on strategies such as emotional support, developmental guidance, advocacy and therapy. The intent of these services is to offer relationship-focused support to reduce the risk of developmental dysfunction and delay and to enhance the emotional well-being of children and families.

The certification program is the first of its kind in the state of Ohio and is significant because it represents a commitment to ongoing education in a field that is still relatively new. Techniques and interventions used in Early Childhood Mental Health services are very different than typical mental health interventions and techniques, and resultantly require the development of a different skill set. The growth and success of this field benefits from increased expertise and specialization of these services. Additionally, pioneering a new program of this sort further leads to the positive reputation of medical and health expertise that is already established in the Northeast Ohio area.

After detecting strong interest in such a program from both the State of Ohio and the Cuyahoga County Board or Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (CCBMRDD), Berea Children's Home and Family Services took the lead in initiating the inception of the certificate. Elliott Ingersoll, Ph.D., Cleveland State University Professor shephearded the process thorugh the university to help the program become possible.

For more information about the program contact Dr. Ben Kearny, Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer, at 440.260.8304, or bkearney@bchfs.org.