IECMHC and the Pyramid Model: how they differ and how to run both
Both are effective, prevention-focused ways to promote young children's social and emotional development. They work especially well when a program runs them together.
Since this brief was written, several states have opened the consultant role to early childhood professionals with specialized IECMH training.
What this guide covers
- How IECMHC and the Pyramid Model overlap, where they differ, and why they work best together.
- How an IECMH consultant compares with the two kinds of Pyramid Model coach: who they are, what they do and where, and how each is supported.
- What a program gets from running both. The guide follows one child through the eyes of a coach and a consultant.
- A short sorting quiz to check whether you can tell the two approaches apart.
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Sources: Understanding Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and the Pyramid Model, Center of Excellence for IECMHC. Crosswalk of Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and Pyramid Model Coaching, National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations and Center of Excellence for IECMHC, 2021. Everything in this guide comes from those two documents.
Where to go next
Programs get more from the Pyramid Model when an IECMH consultant is on the team. The Practical Certificate in IECMHC builds that capacity. The people who wrote the national competencies teach it.