Advisory Committees

Join an Advisory Committee

These initiatives define the Board of Directors advisory committees. Please, contact us if you are interested in joining any of the following advisory committees:

Policy and Advocacy Advisory Committee

Goal Statement: To engage visibly and effectively in public policy advocacy of issues relating to an infant mental health system of care and its related funding needs and resources. We recognize that diverse leadership enhances our skills, innovation and excellence and is necessary for us to be dynamic, competitive, and sustainable in our efforts to strengthen our work. We work to ensure that diversity, equity, inclusion and racial justice are embedded in all that we do including:

1. Identify indicators of an effective, statewide infant/early childhood mental health service system 
2. Advocate for the integration of infant and early childhood mental health knowledge and/or services into all infant/early childhood programs statewide
3. Advocate for expansion of intervention and therapeutic options for young children and families, and to reduce inequities in access to services
4. Be at the table whenever/wherever the mental health of infants and young children in CT is on the agenda.

This committee meets the 3rd Monday of every month from 3-4pm.

Co-chairs: Susan Vater and Jerry Calnen

For more information or to join the committee: Susan Vater, [email protected]; Jerry Calnen, [email protected]

Professional Development Advisory Committee

Goal Statement: As a committee formed by the Connecticut Association for Infant Mental Health (CT-AIMH) Board of Directors, we will actively co-create, support, and promote professional development and education opportunities that align with current best practices in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health.

Vision: An infant and early childhood mental health workforce that:

• is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and reflects cultural humility
• is knowledgeable and skilled in the Competencies for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH-Endorsement)
• meets the needs of infants, young children, and their families

This committee meets the 3rd Monday of every month from 2-3:30pm.

Co-chairs: Heather Bonitz Moore and Heidi Maderia

For more information or to join the committee: Heather Bonitz Moore, [email protected]​; Heidi Maderia, [email protected]

Promotion and Education Advisory Committee

Goal Statement: Promote and educate across communities on the importance and impact of infant and early childhood mental health and the work of CT-AIMH.

Cultivate awareness and understanding about CT-AIMH and its programming with the infant and early childhood mental health workforce.

Build relationships and connectedness within the field of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health.

This committee meets the 1st Wednesday of every month from 9-10am.

Co-chairs: Jen Vendetti and Tanika Eaves Simpson

For more information or to join the committee: Jen Vendetti, [email protected]; Tanika Eaves Simpson, [email protected]

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee

Goal Statement: To guide, support, and hold CT-AIMH accountable in the integration of cultural humility, diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence in all aspects of its mission. To actively model our commitment to the Central Principle of Diversity-Informed Practice as outlined in the Diversity Informed Tenets of Work with Infants, Children, and Families.

To actively promote cultural humility in the work of the committee and throughout CT-AIMH. Cultural humility reflects an ongoing personal and collective commitment to learn and take action to address and diffuse power imbalance and promote interpersonal sensitivity and safety. Cultural humility requires an attitude of openness and empathy and relies on learning from differences.

This committee meets the 2nd Thursday of the month from 9-10:30am.

Co-Chairs:  Carlita Elias and Melissa Mendez

For more information or to join the committee: Carlita Elias, [email protected]

Endorsement Advisory Committee

This committee is composed of the initial people to become endorsed in Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant Mental Health®. The Endorsement Team plans for the advising and reviewing of portfolios and exams that may lead to Endorsement. Please, contact us if you have questions for this team.