Connected Beginnings: Program Requirements

Each Connected Beginning Scholar must meet the following requirements:

1. Employed 20 hours per week or more in an agency or consultation/therapy practice serving infants, toddlers, and/or preschoolers. This may include Early Head Start, Head Start, a child care center, family child care setting, Early Intervention or home visiting program, mental health setting including group or private practice. A letter signed by the applicant’s program director including organizational name, address, and phone number endorsing participation in the training and indicating an understanding and acceptance of the requirements of the training must be submitted with the application. If you are in a group or individual mental health practice, please provide a description of the practice and letter from a supervisor or colleague.

2. Accepted by a birth to five mental health training program such as Jewish Family and Children’s Services’ Infant-Parent Training Institute or met criteria for attending a training course such as the Nursing Child Assessment Satellite Training (NCAST), In-Time Training or another training that meets the criteria and has been approved by the Advisory Council of Connected Beginnings.

3. Submitted a completed application and agreement by August 30th for programs beginning in September, 2007 or 30 days prior to the beginning of other trainings taking place from September, 2007 - June, 2008. Applicants must demonstrate an interest in continuing a career in or related to early childhood mental health and must indicate how the supported training is expected to impact their professional development as a service provider, supervisor or consultant. Signed Application Agreement attached to the application form.