Specialist Consultation
Northern Colorado Kids Thrive continues to grow our Specialist Consultant Team and advance efforts to strengthen child, family, and educator supports throughout the community. As part of this focus and our five-year strategic plan, our core Specialist Consultation Team expanded beyond our traditional early childhood mental health consultation (ECMHC) services to now include an embedded occupational therapy program in 2025.
"In the same way that we nurture children’s physical health — with healthy food, plenty of rest and exercise — it is also important
to take care of their mental health. We can do this by supporting the social-emotional development of babies and young
children [and their caregivers]."
Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) Consultation Services
Early childhood mental health consultation (ECMHC) is a no cost, prevention-based approach that supports caregivers, educators, and early childhood professionals in addressing the emotional and behavioral needs of young children. Consultants work with these adults to develop strategies that promote healthy social-emotional development and manage challenges such as anxiety, trauma, or behavioral issues. The goal is to build the capacity of caregivers and educators to create a positive, nurturing environment that supports the mental well-being of children during their formative years.
​
ECMHC not only focuses on supporting the emotional and behavioral development of children, but it also emphasizes the well-being of caregivers. Consultants work with caregivers and educators to develop self-care strategies, helping them manage stress, set healthy boundaries, and build resilience. By promoting the mental health and well-being of those who care for children, ECMHC ensures that caregivers are better equipped to provide nurturing, supportive environments. This holistic approach helps prevent burnout and creates a positive, sustainable caregiving experience, benefiting both the adults and the children for which they care. ​
​
Consultants do not work directly with children, make a diagnosis or provide therapy; rather consultation begins with a conversation between the early childhood professional or caregiver and a local consultant to discuss needs and helpful support. Services and training can be provided on-site at the program, remotely or at another convenient location.​​
ECMHC has been shown to offer several important benefits. It helps reduce stress among teachers, directors, and caregivers, contributing to better overall well-being and job satisfaction. This, in turn, leads to increased staff retention and a more stable workforce. ECMHC promotes a warm and responsive care environment, ensuring that children feel supported and safe. It also plays a key role in identifying and addressing mental health and developmental issues early, leading to more effective interventions. Additionally, it helps decrease challenging behaviors and reduces the need for suspensions and expulsions, creating a more positive and inclusive learning environment for all children.
Working with an ECMHC can help in these ways:
-
Professional development for caregivers, teachers and directors
-
Identify needs and work toward specific goals
-
Support for the classroom
-
Support for individual children
-
Workshops for families or professionals
-
Conduct developmental screenings
-
Provide resources and referrals to community services.​
Occupational Therapy (OT) consultation Services
Lindsey Shaub, OTD, OTR/L, was welcomed to the team as the first embedded occupational therapist. Her role integrates occupational therapy expertise into early childhood settings by building relationships with children, families, teachers, and administrators. Unlike traditional models in which occupational therapy is provided to individual children, the embedded approach supports entire site communities, focusing on inclusive practices, daily routines, and collaborative problem-solving.
​
During the program’s initial three-month exploratory phase, early childhood sites will engage in recurring consultation with Lindsey. Activities included site visits, needs assessments, and classroom-based support. Teachers and families contributed input through surveys and focus groups, providing insights into existing views on child development, access to developmental supports, and the effectiveness of embedded services. Each site will receive a $3,000 stipend for materials to promote child development and learning.
​
The program also created pathways for connecting families to additional resources such as Colorado Early Intervention and school district Child Find. Through this integrated model, occupational therapy expertise becomes a consistent part of the early learning environment, supporting stronger outcomes for children, educators, and families.
