Applications Open for Harris Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Training this August

Applications Open for Southwest Human Development’s Harris Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Training Cohort

When stories of young children struggling with emotional and behavioral challenges make headlines, one question often arises—how do we ensure that families have the support they need in the earliest years of a child’s life? With the growing awareness of childhood anxiety and the impact of stress on developing minds, infant and early childhood mental health has never been more relevant. Research shows that significant developmental milestones, including emotional regulation, language acquisition, and the formation of secure attachment relationships, happen during the early years of childhood development.

Southwest Human Development’s Harris Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Training Institute is tackling this issue head-on, providing comprehensive, expert-led training for professionals who work with infants, toddlers, and their families. This 1-year and 2-year cohort-based program is designed for those looking to deepen their knowledge of early childhood mental health and make a lasting impact in their field and community. Upon graduation, students receive a certificate in either Infant and Family Studies or Infant and Family Clinical Practice. Year one runs from August to May, followed by year two, which extends from August to May of the following year.

The program is led by Dr. Alison Steier, a nationally recognized expert in infant and early childhood mental health and the Vice President of Mental Health Services at Southwest Human Development. With decades of experience, Dr. Steier has helped shape national conversations around early intervention, attachment, and trauma-informed care, making this program a must-attend for professionals seeking the best training available in Arizona. Participants will also get a chance to connect with guest speakers who are internationally recognized infant mental health specialists and authors.

This intensive learning experience provides professionals with specialized training in understanding emotional and social development in infants and toddlers. These skills support families and professionals through trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices. The program training focuses reflective supervision to help professionals process their work and apply insights in real time with a network of peers and mentors to strengthen learning and collaboration across disciplines.

This program is designed for professionals who work directly with infants, toddlers, and their families, including clinical mental health specialists, early childhood educators, healthcare providers, family support specialists, and other professionals in mental health and child development.

Applications are now open for the 2025 cohort, which begins on August 14. Learn more and apply today: swhd.org/harris