SCHC 430 H01 28429

SocBehavSci, GSS

Notes:

**Prerequisite: Course in intro PSYC, SOCY or child development. Open to all majors. Course is particularly suited to students who are considering careers in Psychology, Pediatrics, Child Psychiatry or Children’s Law.**Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) is the developing capacity of the child from birth to 5 years old to form close and secure adult and peer relationships; experience, manage, and express a full range of emotions; and explore the environment and learn—all in the context of family, community, and culture. In this course, students will learn about IECMH initiatives around the world as well as in our state through the efforts of the South Carolina Infant Mental Health Association (SCIMHA). We will explore the multidisciplinary nature of this work as it relates to partnerships with child welfare and the court system, consultation with childcare providers, public policy and systems infrastructure, as well as direct treatment with mental health professionals including workforce development efforts. Students will also learn about clinical work in the USC-SOM Department of Psychiatry with young children and their families. Learning will be accomplished through a combination of readings, class discussion, guest speakers as well as investigative papers and oral presentations on an IECMH topic of choice. This course will be interesting to students who are considering careers in Psychology, Pediatrics, Child Psychiatry or Children’s Law.