Infant-Early Childhood Mental Health
HCA uses data to improve mental health services for Washington’s youngest children and their families. By collecting and sharing information about infant-early childhood mental health (IECMH), we can identify strengths, uncover challenges, inform policymaking, and promote equity in care.
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IECMH Statewide Tour report
In 2023, HCA’s IECMH team hosted 10 listening sessions with 96 behavioral health providers across Washington. We asked about barriers and solutions to improving access to IECMH services. Providers raised seven key themes:
- Workforce development
- Mental health assessment for young children
- Treatment for young children
- Home and community-based services
- Caregiver engagement
- Collaboration with allied professionals
- Financing of services
Their insights helped shape our IECMH priorities and action steps.
Explore the report and materials:
- IECMH at HCA brief
- Executive summary
- HCA IECMH priorities
- Full report
- Watch the video presentation
- View the PowerPoint
HCA IECMH reports
HCA partners with communities, providers, and families to collect data and share stories that move us closer to a strong IECMH system in Washington State.
- Mental Health Assessment for Young Children Implementation Report
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Mental Health Assessment for Young Children (MHAYC) helps providers use best practices for assessing mental health conditions for young children. In 2022, 20 providers completed a survey about implementing MHAYC.
Key findings:
- Moderate use of MHAYC policies
- Easier billing for IECMH services
- Increased provider confidence
- Improved access to developmentally appropriate care
- Behavioral Health Agencies Serving Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
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This report uses Behavioral Health Provider Survey data to captures information about how community behavioral health agencies provide IECMH services
Key findings (2022):- 1 in 3 agencies serve children under age 6
- Fewer than 10% serve children under age 3
- Most use the DC:0-5 diagnostic tool
- Less than half offer dyadic family therapy
- IECMH Workforce Collaborative reports
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The IECMH Workforce Collaborative coordinates training and professional development supports for mental health assessment for young children, including DC:0-5 training.
Key findings (March 2022-June 2024):
- 580 mental health professionals trained
- 464 allied professionals trained
- Participants reported greater readiness to use DC:0-5
Additional HCA IECMH data
- WISe CANS data
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WISe (Wraparound with Intensive Services) helps children and families access coordinated care. HCA uses the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) tool to track needs and outcomes.
Key findings (2024):
- Average needs dropped from 11 to 9 after 3 months of WISe services
- Needs decreased from issues like tantrums, aggression and impulse control
- Children's Behavioral Health Access Report
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HCA publishes an annual report on behavioral health access for children, youth, and young adults enrolled in Apple Health.
Key findings (2023):
- 11% of young children (ages 0-5) had an identified mental health need
- Only 60% of young children with an identified mental health need received care
- Children's Behavioral Health Dashboard Report
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Published by RDA, this dashboard tracks mental health needs and outcomes for children enrolled in Apple Health.
Key findings (2021):
- 5% of young children ages 0-4 had an identified mental health need
- Needs ranged from 4% to 7% in different regions
- 20% of foster care children ages 0-4 had a mental health need
Publications featuring HCA’s IECMH work
HCA’s innovative IECMH work has been featured in national publications that highlight Washington’s commitment to early, equitable mental health care.
- Washington State Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) Policy Feature (UCSF, 2025)
- Centering Babies and the Adults Who Care For Them: States Explore Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Financing and Policy (Stark, 2024)
- Medicaid Support for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health: Lessons from Five States (Johnson & Burak, 2023)
- Medicaid Partnerships in Washington State Contributing to a Continuum of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Supports and Services (Trivedi & Horen, 2022)
- Embedding DC:0–5 Into State Policy and Systems (Cohen & Andujar, 2022)
IECMH data from our partners
HCA also uses data and research from sister agencies, local governments, and national experts to guide our work. Please note that the list below is not comprehensive, and these reports do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of HCA.
- Medicaid Policies to Help Young Children Access Infant-Early Childhood Mental Health Services: Results from a 50-State Survey (Smith et al., 2023)
- Cost-effectiveness of infant and early childhood mental health treatment (Oppenheim & Bartlett, 2022)
- Results of a Washington State Provider Survey of Dyadic Services and Billing (Oxford & Lecheile, 2022)
- A meta-analysis of the international prevalence and comorbidity of mental disorders in children between 1 and 7 years (Vasileva et al., 2021)
- Accelerating Progress for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health in Washington: A Series of Issue Briefs (Perigee Fund, 2021)
- Transforming infant and early childhood mental health: A landscape analysis and strategic plan for King County (King County Best Starts for Kids, 2021)
(Updated May 2025)