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arrow back All Resources

Early Childhood Mental Health

Child Care Provider Family
Self-Care and Wellness

Your guide to early childhood mental health resources in Hamilton County, Indiana

healthier hamilton countyHere at Child Care Answers, in partnership with A Healthier Hamilton County: Systems of Care, we work to ensure all families and child care professionals in central Indiana have the necessary resources to access and navigate behavioral and mental health services.

Included in this guide:

  • Local organizations offering mental health services and supports
  • Resources for navigating mental health acronyms
  • Short videos to support behaviors
  • Online resources to help you learn more
9-8-8

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 9-8-8

When you call or text 9-8-8, you will be connected to trained counselors that will listen, provide support, and connect you to resources.
Learn More
https://childcareanswers.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Brain-Development-1.png play button
Featured Video

The Brain Science Behind Mental Health

Learn how early experiences shape a child's developing brain to lay a foundation for sound mental health from Kristen Ludeker-Seibert, the director of coordination at A Healthier Hamilton County: Systems of Care.

Quote Icon
Beneath every behavior there is a feeling. And beneath each feeling there is a sensation that drives our needs for safety, connection, and calm.
Dr. Lori Desautels
Assistant Professor at Butler University
Mental Health Resources

Families

Learn more about the resources in your community.

Creating Trauma-sensitive Environments workshop

Trauma is not the event; trauma is the impact and emotional outcome of an event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope. This workshop, offered by A Healthier Hamilton County: Systems of Care, was collaboratively designed with professionals across Hamilton County and the nation to show learners how to create trauma-sensitive environments.

Contact Kristen Ludeker-Seibert

One-on-one Parenting Support

Child Care Answers has a team of experts ready to be a hand to hold in your parenting journey. Get one-on-one support with topics such as behaviors, parenting, special needs, and more.

Connect with a Specialist

Mental Health Services

Aspire Indiana provides integrated care to address the medical, psychological, and social needs of their patients. Through Aspire, you can find medication providers, psychiatry, and therapists for ages two and up. In-person and play therapy are available at Carmel and Noblesville offices.

Learn More

Infancy Onward provides a list of practices that have completed the Infant Mental Health Endorsement® (IMH-E®) and/or the Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement® (ECMH-E®).

Find Providers

First Steps is a family-centered early intervention program for infants and toddlers from birth to age three. If you have concerns regarding your child’s development, including social-emotional growth, you can submit a referral for support.

Submit a Referral

Riley Developmental Pediatrics supports families with children experiencing developmental concerns. After running an evaluation, they provide family-centered care to support the child and family each step of the way.

Learn More

Community-Based Resources

A Hamilton County Youth Assistance Program (YAP) serves as an early intervention advocate for youth ages three to 17 who are facing challenging life circumstances. They take referrals for infants and toddlers (ages zero to three) with services they provide directly to the family. YAP takes a holistic approach to coordinate the community’s vast array of talents, services, and resources to help youth and empower parents and caregivers.

Contact

A Healthier Hamilton County: Systems of Care is designed to provide support through collaborative tools and resources with the goal of improving the health and happiness of Hamilton County.

Learn More

Early Learning Alliance Network works to connect, educate, advocate, and innovate in support of families, educators, and other caregivers of young children. Find learning opportunities of interest including early intervention, purposeful play, selecting early education centers, talking with teachers, and advocating for your child.

Learn More

Hamilton County Health Department provides resources on vaccinations, COVID testing sites, and other mental health resources.

Learn More

Indiana Family to Family is a parent to parent organization that provides support to Indiana families of children with additional health and education needs. Through the power of shared experiences, they can provide answers, resources, training, and community connections.

Learn More

Caregiver Support Groups

The Fishers Health Department offers a caregiver meet-up for Fishers residents who are a caregiver, whether it be for a parent, child, or spouse. This is a time dedicated to supporting and honoring you. Second Tuesday of the month, 5-6 p.m.

Register

AccessABILITY offers a multitude of resources for children and adults with disabilities to lead independent lives fully included in the community. Specifically, they offer two support groups for people with disabilities. The Dis-Queer: A Disability LGBTQIA+ Support Group is a safe space for LGBTQIA+ people with disabilities to connect and learn together, and the Neurodiverse Peer Support Group is a peer-led safe space for those who identify with having with ADHD, Autism, Tourette’s, Dyslexia, Bipolar, TBI, Anxiety, Depression, and more.

Learn More

School-based Supports

Seeking support for mental and behavioral health services may look different between school districts. Apart from communicating with your child’s teacher or pursuing an evaluation through special education services, consider learning more about your school’s other health resources.

  • Carmel Clay Schools
  • Hamilton Heights Schools
  • Hamilton Southeastern Schools 
  • Noblesville Schools
  • Sheridan Community Schools
  • Westfield Washington Schools

Looking for before and after care for your school-aged child? Many schools partner with local programs that have care options at the school. Ask your school about their options prior to the start of the school year. If you need help finding before and after care, Child Care Answers also provides free support in finding nearby programs. 

Request Search Support

Featured Resource

Navigating Acronyms

It can be hard to keep up with acronyms as you navigate mental health services for your child. Use this tool to help you and when in doubt, ask!
View PDF Download
Tips from Our Community

How to support behaviors

Our brains struggle to think rationally when we are upset, angry, or frustrated. In order to support our children, we must first help them feel calm and safe. Check out one or all of the short videos to learn how.

calming infant
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Calming an Infant

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Create a Cozy Corner

modeling language
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Modeling Language - COMING SOON!

mindfulness videos

Mindfulness Videos for Kids

Relax, think positive, and flow with these mindfulness exercises from Go Noodle.
Watch
 Mental Health Resources

Child Care Professionals

Whether you have a deep care and concern for the mental health of the children in your care, the child care professionals you work alongside, or, of course, your own self-care, there is a resource for you.

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsements

Infancy Onward offers two credentials with a focus on building early relationships crucial to supporting a child's social and emotional development. They can be earned by anyone working with or on behalf of young child and their families.
Learn More

Facilitated Peer Support Groups

SPARK Learning Lab offers child care program leaders the opportunity to talk with a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in a safe, confidential, virtual setting.
Learn More

One-on-one Support for Child Care Entrepreneurs

The process of opening a child care business can be emotionally taxing. Rely on CCA's expert staff to guide you in the process and hold your hand as you navigate becoming a new child care program.
Connect with a Specialist
More Resources

Modeling positive mental health

Whether you are looking for activities to support a child’s development or ways to find your calm, build into your child’s early experiences with these resources.

For Parents

Self-Care and Wellness

Read More
For Parents

Positive Parenting Tips

CDC Parenting Tools
child hand touching adult hand with hearts
For Parents

Social-Emotional Development

Read More
self care icon
For Child Care Professionals

Self-Care and Wellness

Read More
For Everyone

Children's Books about Emotions

Book List
For Everyone

Feeling Games for Kids

PBS Kids
Resources

Financial Supports

Financial resources can help relieve the overwhelming impact of stress on mental health.

Read More

  • Paying for Child Care – Navigate support for your family, and learn more about child care financial support options available to central Indiana families.

  • Prevail – Contact for crisis intervention and restorative support services for survivors of crime and abuse.

  • Hamilton County Food Pantries – Discover Hamilton County food pantry information and locations at The Good Samaritan Network.

  • Hamilton County Trustees Associations – Contact your township trustee to learn more about community-based resources or emergency rental assistance.

  • Indiana Legal Services – Learn more about services for families faced with legal problems that harm their ability to have basics such as food, shelter, income, medical care or personal safety.

  • Medicaid Health Coverage – See if you qualify for Medicaid health coverage or find a Medicaid provider near you.

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