SEFI Support
If you care for young children, we can support you.
SEFI Support is short-term, relationship-based support designed for long-term sustainability - helping caregivers build confidence, strengthen relationships, and create nurturing environments where young children can thrive.
Jump to Section Below About SEFI Support
THE SUPPORT
The Ways We Can Collaborate
Support meets your program wherever the need lives.
Choose Your Setting
Center-Based Child Care
Care in a dedicated child care center or school setting - classrooms of children grouped by age, teachers who plan daily activities for learning, play, and social growth, and a team of trained staff supporting each child and family.
Not sure which fits? Most aren't -
and some need more than one.
Submit a request - we listen first,
and we decide the best fit together.
For Directors & Leaders:
Leadership Support
You may feel overwhelmed or disconnected from your team - and want an environment that prioritizes reflection and responsive caregiving.
What support may look like:
- Identifying strengths and areas for growth in staff development and leadership strategies
- Reflective discussions focused on reducing stress and increasing reflectivity and responsivity
- Participation in the SEFI Director's Group
Read more in the flyer →
For Your Whole Program:
Program Support
Caregivers may feel overwhelmed and express stress or trauma. SEFI Support builds wellness, awareness, and confidence across your staff.
What support may look like:
- Participation in a reflective group
- Professional formation opportunities
- Collaborative conversations on how the thoughts, feelings, and histories of adults influence relationships with children
Read more in the flyer →
For a classroom that feels challenging:
Classroom Support
SEFI Support strengthens positive teacher/child relationships and encourages a calm classroom environment.
What support may look like:
- Classroom observations focused on teacher/child relationships and interactions
- Reflective discussions on challenges and successes in the classroom
- Strategies for self-care, stress management, co-regulation, and overall classroom well-being
Read more in the flyer →
In Partnership with the Family:
Child & Family Support
A child's behaviors may feel challenging, creating stress and reactivity in caregivers. Together, we support the child and family toward co-regulation.
What support may look like:
- Reflective discussions to increase adult self-awareness and enhance self- and co-regulation
- Connecting with families to strengthen home/school collaboration
- Supporting developmental needs and making referrals to additional support as needed
Read more in the flyer →
Family/Home-Based Child Care
Care in a provider's home - a warm, small-group setting where children receive individual attention, build close relationships with their caregiver, and learn alongside the same mixed-age group each day, with flexible hours for families.
For Family Child Care Leadership:
Leadership Support
Running a home program means holding every role at once. You may feel overwhelmed or carry stress - and want an environment that prioritizes reflection, wellness, and confidence.
What support may look like:
- Identifying strengths and areas for growth in professional development and leadership strategies
- Participation in a reflective group such as the 4C's or Creciendo Juntos
- Discussions focused on reducing stress and increasing reflectivity and responsivity
Training or professional formation opportunities
Read more in the flyer →
For Your Home Program:
Program Support
Relationships with children may feel challenging. SEFI Support strengthens positive caregiver/child relationships and encourages a safe, nurturing environment.
What support may look like:
- Observations focused on caregiver/child relationships and interactions
- Reflective discussions on challenges and successes in your program
- Strategies for self-care, stress management, co-regulation, and overall well-being
Read more in the flyer →
In Partnership with You & The Family:
Child & Family Support
A child's behaviors may feel challenging, creating stress and reactivity. Together, we support the child and family toward co-regulation.
What support may look like:
- Reflective discussions to increase adult self-awareness and enhance self- and co-regulation
- Connecting with families to strengthen home/program collaboration
- Supporting developmental needs and making referrals to additional support as needed
Read more in the flyer →
THE BIG PICTURE
How It Works
A collaboration, not a service call. We don't come in to fix -
we team up with the adults in your program, and we build on existing strengths.
1
You Submit a Request
A short online form - about five minutes, submitted by your program's director or administrator. If you're enrolled in Grow NJ Kids, your TAS can submit on your behalf.
2
We Listen First
A member of our team reaches out within 2 business days to understand your needs - no assumptions, no checklist.
3
We Decide the Fit Together
Leadership, program, classroom, or child & family - we match the support to your situation, collaboratively.
4
You Carry it Forward
Support closes with a sustainability plan. The reflection, confidence, and practices you build stay long after we step back.
In return, we ask for active participation, timely communication, and protected staff time for reflection after each visit - the model works when it's followed. For the full process, see the flyer for your setting above.
SEE IT FOR YOURSELF
SEFI Support in Action
Video coming soon.
We are currently updating our webpages, and we are excited to provide new content soon!
A Look Inside a Real Collaboration
This short film shows what consultation looks like inside a real New Jersey program — the conversations, the reflection, and the collaboration.
(coming soon)
MYTH VS. REALITY
Let's Clear a Few Things Up
Tap a card to flip it - what people assume, and what's actually true.
THE MYTH
'SEFI Support comes in to fix teachers in the classroom'tap to see the reality →
THE REALITY
We collaborate - teaming up with the adults in your program to build on strengths, never grading or fixing anyone.THE MYTH
'It diagnoses or assesses children'tap to see the reality →
THE REALITY
We strengthen the adults around the child. No diagnosing, no assessing, no direct services - with referrals when a family needs more.THE MYTH
'It's a training program'tap to see the reality →
THE REALITY
It's consultation - reflective, side-by-side collaboration. For trainings and workshops, visit the center's professional development offerings.THE MYTH
'You must be enrolled in Grow NJ Kids'tap to see the reality →
THE REALITY
Any private sector- or home-based child care program in NJ is eligible, at no cost. If you are enrolled, we'll also connect with your TAS.FROM YOUR REGION
Newsletters
A monthly look at SEFI Support near you - what's working in programs like yours, upcoming professional development, and the specialists serving your county.
Find your county below and join your region's mailing list - delivered monthly, in English and Spanish.
Northern Region
Bergen · Hunterdon · Morris · Passaic · Sussex · Union · Warren
Northeast/Central Region
Essex · Hudson · Mercer · Middlesex · Monmouth · Ocean · Somerset
Southern Region
Atlantic · Burlington · Camden · Cape May · Cumberland · Gloucester · Salem
Or email sefisupport@montclair.edu and tell us your county - we'll add you to the right list.
SPREAD THE WORD
Every private child care program in New Jersey is eligible for SEFI Support. If you know a program that could benefit, share this page with them.
AT A GLANCE
Three Things to Know Before You Reach Out
No surprises - this is true for every program we collaborate with.
$0 - No Cost
Funded by the NJ Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development.
2 Days - First Contact
A team member reaches out within 2 business days of your request - and listens first.
A Note for Families
If your child attends a private center- or home-based program in NJ, your program is eligible - share this page with your program's director or administrator, who can submit a request.
VOICES FROM THE FIELD
What Changes When the Adult Feels Supported
I arrived (to the Directors Professional Formation Community) feeling a bit mentally busy, but I leave feeling more grounded and aware. The reflection helped me slow down, and I feel more intentional about how I show up in my interactions.
Director of Child Care Center
Learning to identify how our bodies recognize stress, and the ways we use our energy, is something we explore deeply in SEFI Support. By building self-regulation and self-care practices, caregivers learn how to pause when they experience a stressor - moving from reactive to responsive.
Cynthia Soete, MSEd, IMH-E® · Lead Infant and Early Childhood Consultation Specialist
Frequently Asked Questions
What does SEFI stand for?
Socio-Emotional Formation and Inclusive Support - the initiative behind this consultation service at the Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health.
What is infant and early childhood mental health consultation?
A collaborative approach in which a trained consultant works alongside the adults who care for young children - building their confidence and capacity to support social-emotional development, rather than delivering direct services to children.
Is SEFI Support confidential?
Yes. Support is confidential and non-evaluative - we collaborate with you; we don’t inspect, grade, or report on your program.
Do we need to be enrolled in Grow NJ Kids?
No. Any private center- or home-based child care program in New Jersey is eligible, at no cost. If you are enrolled, your technical assistance specialist (TAS) can submit a request on your behalf, and we will connect with them too.
What is Grow NJ Kids?
Grow NJ Kids is New Jersey's quality rating and improvement system for child care. Learn more at grownjkids.org.
What if my request involves several classrooms or children?
If two or more classrooms need support, submit a Program request; if more than two children in one classroom do, submit a Classroom request - and either way, we'll help you sort out the best fit.
Does SEFI Support provide trainings or workshops?
Our focus is consultation. For trainings and professional formation opportunities, explore the center's professional development offerings - we're glad to point you to the right place.
Will a consultant work directly with my child?
We strengthen the adults around the child. Consultants collaborate with caregivers and families, and connect you to referrals when direct services are needed.
When is the right time to reach out?
Anytime - you don’t need to wait for a crisis. Reaching out early makes support lighter and easier for everyone; and if things already feel overwhelming, that’s exactly what we’re here for.
How long does SEFI Support last?
It is short-term by design - up to 6 months, closing with a sustainability plan.
What is expected of our program?
Active participation, timely communication, and protected time for staff to reflect after each visit - the collaboration works best when everyone can show up for it.
Can families request SEFI Support?
Requests come from a program's director or administrator. If your child attends a private center- or home-based child care program in NJ, your program is eligible - share this page with them, and they can submit a request.
WHY THIS WORK MATTERS
Children’s development is shaped most by the small moments between you
The welcome you give
The calm you keep
The repair you make
Researchers call this Early Relational Health (ERH) - and it’s everyone’s business. Those moments come easier when the adult behind them feels supported, regulated, and confident. That is exactly what SEFI Support is for. Learn more →
THE SUPPORT
Ready When You Are
The request form takes about five minutes, and a member of our team will reach out within 2 business days - to listen first, and decide the best fit of SEFI Support together.
Questions? Call 973-826-7971 · email sefisupport@montclair.edu