"What does being a
Father mean to you?
Pictured here:
Ira Einsohn telling his newborn grandson
"how much fun we're going to have".
"I love our grandchildren. They help keep us busy, feeling young, and excited. We see them often and share their lives. Their futures have a better chance to be bright and successful in large part because, from day one, they have received love and attention from their parents and the rest of their family.
I joined the Board of First3Years primarily to help spread the message that infants and toddlers are real people who are at a critically important time of their lives and development. They need touch, communication and attention - emotional nourishment as much as food
. I a
m proud of our success to date and look forward to First3Years' future and its impact on babies' lives."
- Ira Einsohn, First3Years Board Treasurer
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Pictured here:
Matthew Willoughby and daughter Lily.
"The difference between being a father and a dad is that being a father requires little emotional, financial, or physical investment. Being a dad requires that we accept our role to be a dedicated and lifelong mentor, role model, and friend.
As a Dad, we are to think before we comment which Involves knowing that your kids are watching and listening to everything we do or say.
Dads don't assume the kid has gotten it wrong; we listen, ask questions, and then we act. A real dad first and foremost, sees and understands something has occurred to make our child uncomfortable enough to seek comfort and protection.'
-Matthew Willougby, First3Years Safe Babies Coordinator
Happy Father's Day!
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This month, we sat down with husband and wife, David and Patty Miller, who have been supporting First3Years for over two decades. The Miller's have been involved with First3Years in various capacities and have been an instrumental part in the growth of the organization.
Keep reading to learn more about what has kept the Miller's involved for more than 20 years and to hear what they had to say about First3Years.
First3Years: What attracted you to the organization/Why did you get involved?
Patty Miller: I was working on my Master's Degree in Early Childhood Disorders at UTD and many of the teachers within the School of Human Development recommended that I get involved with TAIMH (Texas Association for Infant Mental Health) [now First3Years]. Many recommended TAIMH because it was one of the few true advocacy groups for early childhood, which is exactly what it turned out to be!
David Miller: We got involved about 20 years ago, the group, for many years, was primarily a monthly meeting of professionals in the field and Patty and I were helpful in establishing the first full time executive director of the organization. We just saw a place for the organization in the community and helped expand the reach of First3Years by expanding the board and trying to help build the organization.
F3Y: In your opinion, what is the most important work that this organization does?
Patty: It is that zero to three focus because everyone else either lumps zero to three with kindergarten or they ignore it entirely. It has gotten better over the last few years but I think that that is largely because of First3Years' influence.
David: It is that they are increasing awareness in the importance of infant development through things like Baby Day and online training, etc. I have worked with some organizations that have delinquent teenagers as their core challenge and I have seen the results of bad parenting in early years and I think that a lot of people think of infants as incapable of communicating. The early and quicker we can affect their development the better result we have in the long run.
F3Y: How does First3Years uniquely contribute to the community?
Patty: As a leader, Sadie [Funk, Chief Executive Officer of First3Years] has been instrumental in expanding awareness of First3Years. I think getting that full-time Director, and a very good one, has been really important for the organization.
David: It's the go to organization in everything infant, it is respected by professionals and foundations. It is non-political, the only agenda that First3Years has is protecting infants and educating the community of the importance of infant development.
F3Y: What do you hope the organization will achieve in the near future? In the long term?
Patty: I would like to see us have more impact in Austin. I'm hoping that we can slowly start to inform our government of the true needs of young children. I would like to see First3Years have an impact on raising awareness that parenting and raising children can't really just be based on belief systems, it has to be based on research and findings and the understanding of brain development.
David: I'm hopeful that when people think of infants, the next thing that comes to their mind is First3Years.
F3Y: Does anyone in your life play a role in supporting your involvement? In providing inspiration?
Patty: We have an adult daughter who was developmentally delayed and we knew it very early on. Thanks to many years of intervention and special attention to her early childhood years, she now has a rich and fulfilling normal life as an adult.
F3Y: Do you have an anecdote about this organization that really moved you? Or is there anything else you would like to share?
Patty: It has always been a bunch of very dedicated people. I've held almost every position from President to Co-Chairing Endorsement and I have seen the inside workings [of the organization] and I just have nothing but good things to say about First3Years.
David: I was on the Board for several years and it is amazing how so many people from totally different professional backgrounds are interested in the infant space. Infant development crosses every line and affects everyone on the planet basically.
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Infant Mental Health Advocacy Award Conference
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September 21, 2018
8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
United Way Houston | 50 Waugh Dr. Houston, TX
For more information or to register click
here
!
We are pleased to announce First3Years' 2018 IMH Advocacy Award Conference taking place in Houston on September 21st. We are honored to have Dr. Joshua Sparrow present this year's T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., Infant Mental Health Advocacy Award.
Dr. Joshua Sparrow, M.D., DFAACAP and Director
of the Brazelton Touchpoints Center in the Division of Development of Medicine at Boston Children's Hospital will be presenting our Morning Keynote Speech on Culture, Community and Context in Child Development.
_____________
Dr. Prachi Shah, M.D., a developmental-behavioral pediatric specialist in Ann Arbor, MI will be presenting our Afternoon Keynote Speech on Early Childhood Curiosity within the context of Caregiving.
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| Now Accepting Nominations! |
T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., Infant Mental Health Advocacy Award
We are now accepting nominations for this year's T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., Infant Mental Health Advocacy Award to be presented at the 2018 IMH Advocacy Award Conference in Houston on Sept. 21st.
For details on criteria and/or to nominate an individual please complete
this application and return to Natalie Baerwaldt (
[email protected]
).
Nominations are due by July 1, 2018.
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First3Years is excited to present our
2017 Annual Report. As mentioned (in the Annual Report), 2017 was a record year for our organization and we couldn't have done it without such strong support from each of you! Thank you for your continued support of First3Years. We are looking forward to partnering with each of you in 2018 to make it our most successful year yet!
To view previous Annual Reports click
here.
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Safe Babies Special Event
Have you heard about ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences Survey)?
If you have, you're aware of all the the negative life outcomes for those who have a high score.
The good news is, past experiences don't have to tell the whole story. Come and learn about how strength-based approaches can bring healing for those who have experienced early adversity. The presentation by Maria Muzik will take place in the morning followed by lunch and the brain architecture game.
July 12th | 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM | One Safe Place, Ft. Worth
June Webinars
Baby Brain Development and Health
An infant's brain develops over time. It starts during pregnancy, and continues through to early adulthood. Like a building, it needs a strong foundation. Join us this month as we explore varies aspects of brain development and how it can be impacted by environmental factors.
June 21st | 2:00 PM
June 28th | 10:00 AM | Expert Session with Sydney Rowles
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| Endorsement Exam Study Pack |
The Endorsement Exam Study Pack is Now Live
!
In response to feedback from Endorsement® exam candidates who reported spending precious time searching for materials and journal articles to study for the IMH-E® exam, the Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health- Infant and Early Childhood (MACMH-IEC) Division, put together a Basic Infant Mental Health Endorsement® Exam Pack!
T
he exam packet is accessible either online (via your computer, phone, or tablet) or in an easily accessible app you can download to your phone or tablet.
HOW DO I ACCESS IT?
Step 1
- Go HERE.
- Or search the SharedBooks Marketplace for Basic Endorsement® Exam Pack (in your apps)
Step 2
- Create a Login
- Download the App
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