Courts, Child Welfare and Infant Mental Health: Improving Outcomes for Abused/Neglected Infants and Toddlers (2008)
In 2007, Justice Maura Corrigan proposed to initiate infant mental health assessment and intervention services in Michigan for infants and toddlers before the courts for abuse/neglect, following the example of the Miami-Dade Family Court and other programs around the country. As a result, courts in Wayne, Genesee and Midland counties are currently organizing to improve court-ordered services and outcomes for infants and toddlers.
As part of this effort, the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Community Health and professionals working in other service systems, supported the development of a new publication, Courts, Child Welfare and Infant Mental Health: Improving Outcomes for Abused/Neglected Infants and Toddlers. It outlines, in 30 clearly written pages, how a judge working with child welfare, community mental health and other community partners, can put in place a “Maltreated Infants Court” to take into account the social and emotional needs of the infant/toddler within the judicial process. The model outlined utilizes an infant mental health specialist to assess the parent and infant/toddler and their interaction, make recommendations in concert with other involved professionals to provide a comprehensive intervention (that includes parenting education) with the infant/toddler and the parent together, where appropriate.
The publication recognizes the role that all partners play ? judges, court personnel, child welfare professionals and infant mental health specialists ? in better assuring the well-being of children under three and their families. Of additional interest, the publication includes a sample court report, a list of resources to complement this publication and recommendations for specialized training and supervision for mental health specialists taking on a specialized role.
$ 22.50