Northwestern Department of Social Work to establish Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Training Academy

November 22, 2024

Carol Stocking, (left) Instructor of Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health and Dr. Kylene Rehder, (right) chair of the Northwestern Department of Social Work, announce the upcoming Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Training Academy at Northwestern.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s Department of Social Work has been awarded a $40,000 grant by the Child Welfare Professional Enhancement Program Student Payback Fund Grants to establish an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Training Academy.

This academy will financially support university course work, training opportunities for social service professionals and offer a paid practicum experience in IECMH for a senior social work student.

Infant and early childhood mental health focuses on the social-emotional development of children from birth to age 5, highlighting the importance of secure parent-child relationships. Adverse early experiences can weaken babies’ brain development exposing them to underdeveloped social and emotional skills leaving them at risk in academics, socialization and relationship building. This academy will focus on developing the essential skills needed to foster long-term positive impacts on child welfare and community health.

Dr. Kylene Rehder, chair of the department of social work, authored the grant and will serve as the project’s principal investigator and director.

“By strengthening knowledge of IECMH, professionals can play a critical role in shaping healthier developmental trajectories for children, ensuring they receive the support needed for emotional and mental well-being,” Rehder said.

Rehder said this grant project will establish a foundation for lifelong emotional, cognitive and social well-being for young Oklahomans. The training academy would provide students and professionals in Oklahoma with knowledge on brain development, emotional regulation, social relationships, cognitive development and prevention.

IECMH Training Academy will serve as a support to an existing partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) child welfare department and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Workforce offering an IECMH micro-credential program. This grant is being administered by the University of Oklahoma on behalf of OKDHS to assist the department in retaining quality professional social workers in the public child welfare system.

To learn more about Northwestern’s Department of Social work programs, the training academy or the new micro-credential, contact Rehder at kdrehder@nwosu.edu or (580) 327-8135 or visit https://www.nwosu.edu/school-of-arts-and-sciences/social-work.

-NW-

CONTACT FOR RELEASE:
Sean J. Doherty, University Relations Specialist
sjdoherty@nwosu.edu | 580-327-8480