From Theory to Practice: Piloting a Measure of Fidelity for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
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| Title: | From Theory to Practice: Piloting a Measure of Fidelity for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Karyn A. Hartz, Stephanie J. Mitchell (ORCID |
| Source: | Infant Mental Health Journal: Infancy and Early Childhood. 2026 47(4). |
| Availability: | Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 13 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Fidelity, Consultation Programs, Mental Health Programs, Young Children, Program Evaluation, Measurement |
| DOI: | 10.1002/imhj.70108 |
| ISSN: | 0163-9641 1097-0355 |
| Abstract: | Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) is a capacity-building, prevention-focused service that supports early childhood professionals and families in promoting young children's social-emotional development. This conceptual analysis addressed the research question: How can IECMHC programs systematically and efficiently measure fidelity using existing documentation systems? The study examined data from a large, government-sponsored IECMHC program in a mid-Atlantic U.S. metropolitan region, involving 17 consultants (50% Black or African American, 36% other racial minority) serving 102 early childhood education centers with mostly racial minority staff and families. Through an iterative process with program leadership, 15 fidelity metrics were developed and operationalized at the programmatic, classroom, and child-specific levels using consultants' electronic documentation. The resulting fidelity database enables programs to assess consultant adherence to core consultation activities, identify areas for quality improvement, and facilitate reflective supervision. This approach offers a practical, replicable strategy for other IECMHC programs to adopt or adapt to enhance implementation fidelity and, ultimately, the equity, quality and effectiveness of mental health consultation services for infants, young children, and their caregivers. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1510720 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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