Project Summary:

Infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) is a subspecialty entered after foundational training across disciplines. Despite this preparation, many professionals face challenges in professional identity and the emotional demands of trauma-exposed, relational work, leading to increased stress and burnout. Nationally, 63.71% of pediatric social workers report burnout, and 49.59% report secondary trauma. In Wisconsin, IECMH professionals report higher levels of emotional exhaustion than the national average. 

This conference is designed to address this critical gap by building targeted skills and knowledge to support workforce well-being and resilience. It strengthens participants’ capacity to engage in reflective practice, trauma-informed care, and sustainable relational work, all key competencies shown to reduce burnout and improve professional functioning. Participants will deepen their understanding of IECMH principles, including attachment, relationships, and social-emotional development, while applying evidence-based and reflective approaches across settings and engaging in cross-sector collaboration to strengthen systems of care and improve mental health outcomes statewide. 

Session topics, informed by participant feedback, include neurodiversity and attachment, reflective practice, pediatric sleep, trauma and resilience, and systems of care. The event features a nationally recognized keynote, interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and CEUs to support licensure renewal and Endorsement. The keynote speaker, Dr. Rosemarie Allen (Center for Equity & Excellence), will address burnout, professional purpose, and the connection between workforce well-being and child/family outcomes, aligning with AHW priorities. 

By centering burnout prevention, resilience-building, and systems-level accountability, the conference advances AHW’s commitment to strengthening the health workforce as a foundation for improving outcomes for children, families, and communities. The event audience comprises infant and early childhood mental health professionals across the state of Wisconsin. In 2024, the event drew nearly 175 mental health participants who work as clinicians, occupational therapists, reflective practitioners, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists in birth-to-three and public health.