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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Dear Colleague Letter to state, territorial, Tribal, and local policymakers and administrators of systems, agencies, and programs that support the early care and education workforce.
HHS-ED Dear Colleague Letter on Social and Emotional Development and Mental Health: The Departments of Health and Human (HHS) and Education (ED) issued a Dear Colleague Letter and four recommendations to state, territorial, tribal, and local policymakers and administrators of systems, agencies, and programs responsible for young children’s health and well-being, social-emotional development, and early learning. These recommendations and action steps are intended to help early childhood systems work collaboratively to ensure that young children and their caregivers have access to high-quality resources that support social and emotional development and mental health. The Dear Colleague Letter also includes links to various resources available to support this work.
HHS Joint Letter on Supporting Mental Health Needs of Children (PDF): This letter expresses the joint commitment to support the mental health of children from several HHS agencies: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), and the Administration for Community Living (ACL).
HHS-ED Announcement on School-based Health Services: This press release announced a joint-departmental effort with HHS and ED to expand school-based health services, ensuring children have the health services and supports necessary to build resilience and thrive.
HHS-ED Policy Statement on Suspension and Expulsion in Early Childhood Settings (PDF): The purpose of this policy statement is to support families, early childhood programs, and States by providing recommendations from the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Education (ED) for preventing and severely limiting expulsion and suspension practices in early childhood settings.
Policy and Guidance for Tribal Leaders and Programs
*NEW*Head Start Information Memorandum (IM) (PDF)
highlights the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) and related strategies for integrating mental health supports across all Head Start programs.
