Short Papers for Staff

These short papers are designed to share information on topics that are central to understanding depression, resilience, and best practices in engaging parents facing adversities. They are intended to work as stand-alone handouts for parents and staff and as materials used in training workshops and in parent groups.

The Challenges and Benefits of Making Parent Connections

Explore strategies for effective parent outreach.

Better Parent Communication: What Do I Say When a Parent Tells Me Something Difficult?

Learn strategies for responding effectively to parents about difficult topics.

Child being help up on someone's shoulder.

Better Communication with Children: Responding to Challenging Subjects

Review strategies for responding effectively to children about challenging topics.

Parenting, Depression, and Hope: Reaching Out to Families Facing Adversity

It is important that early childhood professionals and parents recognize depression and understand ways to get treatment when needed. It is equally important to go beyond recognition and treatment and find ways to build other skills. Learn how to foster effective parenting and help parents build strengths and resilience in their families.

Fostering Resilience in Families Coping with Depression: Practical Ways Head Start Staff Can Help Families Build on Their Power to Cope

Head Start and child care staff can recognize and foster resilience in families coping with depression. Explore this resource to learn about the four levels of resilience and how to apply them in your work.

Understanding Depression Across Cultures

Reflect on the variety of ways depression may be understood, experienced, and described. Includes a discussion on a range of responses to mental health issues, including depression across cultures and the importance of cultural sensitivity in mental health outreach.

Communicating Across Language and Culture: How Do I Reach Out to Parents Who Are Immigrants?

Learn the unique challenges facing immigrant families and strategies for building ties with parents across language barriers.

Mother and father smiling and holding up their infant.

Encouraging an Expressive Environment: Supportive Communication from the Inside Out

Explore how program staff can support an expressive environment for children and families. Includes a discussion on the benefits of having a program with an expressive environment and strategies for supporting such a program climate.

Adult with fingers up to her lips as if deep in thought.

Self-Reflection and Shared Reflection as Professional Tools

Learn the benefits of using self-reflection and shared reflection as tools that can enhance communication and service delivery.

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Mental Health

Mental Health