New Theory of Change for IECMHC Webpage

The Center of Excellence for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (CoE for IECMHC) is pleased to launch its new webpage on the Theory of Change for IECMHC.

Decades of research has shown that Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) has a positive impact on young children and the adults who care for them. While many evaluators have analyzed the long-term positive outcomes of IECMHC, less is known about WHY and HOW those outcomes are achieved.

A theory of change is a starting point for looking inside the “black box” and for understanding the processes by which an intervention leads to the desired outcomes. Using words, visuals, or both, a theory of change explains the hypothesized relationships between where you start, what you do, and what you see as a result. Some people think of a theory of change as a series of “If, then…” questions which can help pinpoint the necessary resources, actions, and short-term changes that precede long-term outcomes. When programs articulate what they do, why they do it, and how they do it, it can streamline their in-service training, program management, and evaluation.

This resource can be used across settings by evaluators, program managers, and others curious to understand more about IECMHC!

View full webpage here