April 10, 2023
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On March 30, 2023, the New Jersey Assembly passed A5240, legislation that "Requires DCF [Department of Children and Families] to publish and disseminate information on early childhood mental health to certain professionals," as summarized on njleg.gov. If passed by the Senate and signed into law by Governor Murphy, the legislation would require social workers, teachers, and childcare providers who work with children 5 years of age and younger to receive information about early childhood mental health resources from the state. Resources would include information on the importance of early childhood mental health awareness, communicating mental health concerns to parents and guardians, and referring caregivers to state or community resources to evaluate children's mental healthcare needs. DCF would be in charge of determining which state programs to which parents and guardians would be referred. Additionally, the legislation would allow the state to provide training to those social workers, teachers, and childcare workers receiving resources on early childhood mental health. Dr. Schenike Massie-Lambert, Clinical Coordinator for the Rutgers Children's Center for Resilience and Trauma Recovery, was quoted on njspotlightnews.com saying, "If they [young children] do get the appropriate supports early enough, and they are supported not just in their services but also in their homes and in their communities by loving, trusting, consistent caregivers, we can see them really make a nice turnaround and not have to be engaged in services for their whole lives." Click here to read more on this proposed legislation, and click here to access the legislation itself. |
