Our Programs
Increase reflective capacity in adults to reduce the stress that can derail relationships.
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Where We're Going
CAECMH Strategic Plan
Where We've Been
CAECMH Annual Report
Why Our Work is Important
We all deserve to feel safe, form relationships, learn and grow, and pursue our dreams. Sustaining these conditions requires a foundation of early relational health from the very beginning of family formation. Yet, we know there are obstacles that challenge this reality for too many families and caregivers.
Caregivers around the country are stressed, isolated and under-resourced. Our rates of maternal morbidity and infant mortality for women and children of color in the country are too high. Infants, toddlers and preschoolers are still being expelled, suspended, and limited from childcare and preschool, a practice that should be eliminated. Our educational policies are lagging behind best practice for including children with special needs in general education classrooms. And there is an overall lack of respect and attention on family development and support in our policies and budgets. These challenges and more threaten the formation of healthy relationships that we know result in positive development, health and success.
Yet, we envision a world where all families thrive, and work to remove barriers to relational and developmental health every day!
Our Vision for Our World
All expectant families, infants, young children, and their families are surrounded by loving relationships and supportive systems that promote their optimal development and health.
How Our Work Meets This Vision
We build and sustain networks of adults who are relational, regulated, reflective, and resourceful.
We transform multidisciplinary research into effective policies and practices.
We advance justice, equity, diversity, and belonging for all infants, children and families.
How We Are Structured
A strong trunk of organizational well-being supports four branches of services:
Beliefs That Drive Our Work
All people deserve to feel a sense of safety and belonging.
We value justice and belonging.
We are committed to fairness, respect, and belonging for everyone. We work to learn from one another, recognize our own biases, and create safe, supportive spaces where all people are valued, heard, and encouraged to grow - especially during challenging times.
Culture, context and conditions organize relationships.
Culture shapes connections.
Culture, experiences, and surroundings all shape how families connect and care for one another. When we understand a family’s context and create supportive conditions, relationships can grow stronger and healthier.
Relationships promote development.
We value relationships.
We care deeply about building strong, trusting relationships - with families, partners, and our community. By supporting responsive and caring connections between children, caregivers, and the people around them, we believe relationships are the foundation for healing, learning, and growth.
Reflection produces change.
We value reflection.
Reflective functioning helps caregivers pause and consider what a child may be feeling or needing beneath their behavior. When adults understand their own feelings and a child’s perspective, it builds empathy, reduces conflict, supports emotional regulation, and strengthens secure, healthy relationships.
Inclusion is a right.
We value the inclusion of multiple perspectives.
We bring together many different voices and work as a team to make a real difference. By partnering with inclusive community organizations, we support and strengthen the people who care for and educate young children and families.
Authenticity and accountability breed success.
We value accountability.
We try to live our values every day by being honest, taking responsibility when we make mistakes, and making things right. We believe that growth - both for individuals and as a community - comes from courage, openness, and accountability.
How CAECMH Turns This Into Action
We strengthen the relationships around children by supporting families, preparing the people who care for them, and connecting the systems that serve them.
Support
Strengthening Children & Families
From pregnancy through age 12, we partner with families to strengthen relationships and support children’s developmental, relational, and mental health.
Prepare
Growing the People Who Care
We prepare students and strengthen educators, caregivers, and professionals with the knowledge, reflection, and relational practices that help children and families thrive.
Connect
Building Stronger Systems
We bring partners across communities and systems together to translate research into practice and make early relational health a shared foundation for supporting children and families.
There are many ways to connect with CAECMH.
Explore our programs, professional learning opportunities, partnerships, and resources.
Hint: It is called ERH (Early Relational Health)
To support our work, join our mailing list, and request additional information, please use the Contact button below, call 973-655-6685, or email us at caecmh@montclair.edu.