Social and Emotional Development Program
What is it?
The Healthy Social and Emotional Development and Family Support (SED-FS) pilot program is a community-based collaboration between Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Partnership for Strong Families, and the Child Advocacy Center, working with the Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County and participating early learning centers. The goal is to implement Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and services for children ages 0 to 5 and their caregivers. The program is funded through the Children’s Trust of Alachua County.
What are the goals?
- Help center teachers and staff resolve challenging classroom behaviors
- Prevent disruptions in center placement
- Promote family stability by increasing family strengths
- Improve children’s social and emotional skills
- Improve kindergarten and school readiness
What services will be offered to staff and families?
- In-class consultation to help staff work effectively with children’s behavior problems
- In-center and in-home assessment and short-term counseling for children and families
- Specialized therapy for children and families who are coping with trauma
- Connection to free community resources and supports to further strengthen families
- Trauma responsive prevention activities for all children at the centers
- Evidence-based training for caregivers and center staff on child abuse identification, prevention, reporting, and intervention
- Team staffings to coordinate services for at-risk children
What does it cost?
- There is no charge to centers or families.
For information contact Meridian’s CHOP Office
Meridian’s Main Office: 4300 SW 13th Street, Gainesville, FL 32608 Local: 352.374.5600 | Toll Free: 800.330.5615
TTY Local: 800.955.8770 | TTY Area: 800.955.8771
mbhci.org
