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 unpacking 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.