Advocacy Day

"From Cradle to Connection: Nurturing Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Through Relationship." 

Join us at Ginter Park Presbyterian Church 3601 Seminary Ave, Richmond, VA 23227 at 7:30am for breakfast with the executive team and a brief pre-advocacy day training. 

Following breakfast, advocates will head to the General Assembly Building  201 North 9th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. Meeting start at 9:00am with identified legislators. 

Overview: The “From Cradle to Connection: Nurturing Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Through Relationship" campaign is dedicated to advocating for the critical importance of infant mental health and nurturing relational connections in early childhood. By championing legislative changes, we aim to prioritize policies that empower caregivers and provide the essential resources for infants to flourish emotionally, socially, and intellectually.

Key Objectives:

Raise Public Awareness: Educate communities, policymakers, and stakeholders about the profound impact of infant mental health and early relational connections.

Advocate for Policy Reforms: Lobby for legislative changes that allocate resources and support for families, caregivers, and early childhood programs.

Provide Accessible Resources: Offer easily accessible information, tools, and resources for parents, caregivers, and communities to cultivate healthy emotional development in infants.

Promote Professional Training and Education: Advocate for increased training and professional development opportunities for caregivers, educators, and healthcare providers in infant mental health.

Facilitate Collaborative Efforts: Encourage partnerships between healthcare providers, educators, policymakers, and community organizations to create a comprehensive approach to supporting infant mental health.

Celebrate Success Stories: Share and celebrate stories of families and communities that have successfully prioritized infant mental health and relational connections.

Campaign Strategies:

Public Awareness Campaigns:

• Utilize various media platforms to disseminate information, success stories, and statistics regarding infant mental health.

• Organize community events, workshops, and seminars to engage in conversations about the importance of early childhood relationships.

Policy Advocacy:

• Engage with policymakers and legislators to advocate for the allocation of resources and funding towards programs that support infant mental health.

• Mobilize supporters to contact their representatives, urging them to prioritize policies that promote nurturing environments for infants.

Community Engagement:

• Partner with local organizations, healthcare providers, and early childhood education centers to host events, workshops, and support groups for parents and caregivers.

• Establish community hubs for resources and information on infant mental health.

Professional Development:

• Advocate for increased training opportunities for healthcare providers, educators, and caregivers to enhance their understanding and skills in supporting infant mental health.

Research and Data Collection:

• Collaborate with researchers and institutions to gather and disseminate data on the benefits of early relational connections on infant mental health.

Collaborative Initiatives:

• Foster partnerships between healthcare providers, educators, policymakers, and community organizations to create a united front for infant mental health advocacy.