Metrocare's infant and early childhood mental health program - metrocare services will implement the infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) program to address social-emotional needs for…

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded Metrocare Services $500,000 on September 30, 2026, to implement an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health program under the Center for Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance (CFDA 93.532).

Metrocare will provide universal screening, evidence-based dyadic therapies, and specialized mental health consultation to address social-emotional needs for children ages 0–12 in Dallas County, Texas. The program targets 750 unduplicated children and caregivers with serious emotional disturbances or at-risk status over the five-year performance period, with annual service volume increasing from 50 participants in year one to 250 in year five. A multidisciplinary team including qualified mental health professionals and family partners will deliver Child-Parent Psychotherapy and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, using standardized screening instruments including the Ages and Stages Questionnaire and Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths assessment. Metrocare will also build clinical workforce capacity through specialized training delivered by the Community Resource Coordination Group.

Measurable objectives include screening 90 percent of children at intake, referring 80 percent of those with Level of Care 4 needs within 14 days, and ensuring 60 percent of referred families initiate services within 30 days. Work is performed in Dallas, Texas, with a period of performance from September 30, 2026, through September 29, 2031.

Metrocare's infant and early childhood mental health program - metrocare services will implement the infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) program to address social-emotional needs for children ages 0-12 in dallas county, texas. By integrating universal screening, evidence-based dyadic therapies and specialized consultation, the project will serve 750 children and caregivers over five years. This initiative expands workforce capacity and improves relational health outcomes for children with serious emotional disturbances (SED). Population and service area: the program targets infants and children (birth to age 12) in dallas county who are at risk for or diagnosed with mental illness, including SED. Metrocare expects to serve 750 unduplicated individuals over the grant term, with annual targets increasing from 50 in year 1 to 250 in year 5. Participants are identified through clinical assessments as having high needs, specifically level of care 4 (LOC-4) or equivalent. Strategies and interventions: metrocare will employ a multidisciplinary team, including a qualified mental health professional (QMHP) and family partner, with infant and early childhood mental health consultation provided by the project director, to implement: • universal screening: standardized assessment using the ages and stages questionnaire (ASQ) for ages 0-3 and the child and adolescent needs and strengths (CANS) for ages 3-12. • evidence-based practices (EBPS): delivery of child-parent psychotherapy (CPP) and parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) to strengthen caregiver-child relationships. • capacity building: specialized workforce training for clinical staff and community partners through the community resource coordination group (CRCG). Goals and measurable objectives: • goal 1: timely identification. Screen 90% of children at intake and refer 80% of those with LOC-4 needs to the program within 14 days. • goal 2: expanded access. Ensure 60% of referred families initiate services within 14 days and 40% of children show improved social-emotional functioning within six months. • goal 3: relational health. Provide dyadic or caregiver-focused interventions to 85% of enrollees, and reduce actionable caregiver needs on the CANS for 40% of participants. • goal 4: workforce capacity. Deliver IECMH-focused training to at least 40 members of the early childhood workforce annually.