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Mental Health

Head Start programs support the mental health of children, families, and staff every day. Early childhood mental health is the same as social and emotional well-being. It is a child’s developing capacity to express and regulate emotions, form trusting relationships, explore, and learn—all in the cultural context of family and community. The mental health of children and the adults that care for them is essential for school readiness.

Sensitive Conversations with Families

This podcast supports Early Head Start and Head Start staff to hold sensitive conversations with families on topics occurring outside of the classroom.

Supporting Children Facing Trauma

Supporting children who are facing trauma is a major part of the Head Start Heals campaign. Knowing the signs, symptoms, and supports for children who have experienced trauma fosters healing and resiliency.

Strengthening Staff Trauma-informed Practices

Learn how to strengthen trauma-informed practices for staff. Review strategies staff can use to practice trauma-informed care. Find examples of how to support staff in a trauma-informed program.

Head Start Heals Campaign

The Head Start Heals campaign increases awareness about how Head Start programs are uniquely qualified to address trauma and promote resilience in young children and families. Explore resources to support this work.

Trauma and Resilience

Explore this collection of resources to learn how trauma affects young children and find strategies to reduce its effects in children and adults.

Understanding Stress and Resilience in Young Children

Ongoing research continues to show us how adversity and toxic stress in early childhood can have a negative impact throughout a person's life. These videos are designed to help them understand what toxic stress is, what it does to a person, and easy things to do to help prevent it.