Research to Practice Working Group

The Research to Practice Group set 4 primary goals.

• Goal 1: Establish a research network including practitioners, families, students, agencies, researchers and other interested parties to facilitate an exchange of information.
• Accomplishments:
• Shared research projects and work roles.
• Established an email network
• Identified and recruited members

• Goal 2: Become familiar with the resources available to young children and their families
• Accomplishments:
• Shared information on resources

• Goal 3: Define Infant-Toddler Mental Health in readily understandable terms
• Accomplishments:
• Formed a sub-committee to review definitions
• Researched definitions developed by other states
• Developed the following preliminary definition

Good mental health begins in infancy and is reflected in appropriate cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Recognizing the unique characteristics of each infant and family- the circumstances in which they live- we characterized good mental health as: Secure attachment, relationships, confidence, curiosity, effective communication, increasing self-regulation, social competence, self awareness, and expressions of love and happiness. Infant mental health changes and develops within the context of relationships between infants and caregivers, families, communities, and cultures.

• Goal 4: Disseminate research findings to families, agency personnel, and the public in general, including:
• Promotion and maintenance of infant mental health
• Prevention of negative consequences
• Intervention
• Accomplishments:
• The following "sound bites" were developed and used by NAMI Utah during their Fall 2001 awareness campaign:"

"How young children feel is as important as how they think, particularly with regard to school readiness"
"Healthy early development depends on nurturing and dependable relationships"
"Early environments matter, and nurturing relationships are essential"