Here in southern Minnesota we are especially fortunate to have a strong emphasis on healthy children and families. On Jan. 26 in Albert Lea, there will be another chance to increase our knowledge of the social and emotional well-being of young children.

Renowned early childhood expert L. Read Sulik, MD, FAAP, will lead trainings aimed at professionals whose work involves young children. The trainings are sponsored by the Freeborn County Thrive Initiative and Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation.

Participants can expect to learn how their own experiences can impact young children’s social and emotional development, enhance their knowledge of brain development and child temperament, and learn about the most common mental health issues among children which include anxiety, depression and behavior disorders. Skills enhancement and networking opportunities are also part of the sessions.

Dr. Sulik, who serves as assistant Ccommissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, will lead three sessions. Both are free but require registration. We will first address child welfare professionals such as law enforcement officers, judges, guardians ad litem and case managers. Another session will focus on aspects of childhood mental health more specific to community and education professionals, such as child care center staff and educators. A third and longer training is being offered to health care professionals, e.g., doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers.

As part of its strategy to invest in economic growth in southern Minnesota, SMIF supports early childhood efforts to make certain all children enter school fully encouraged, prepared, and supported for learning success. More than $3.75 million has already been invested in early childhood education within the 20-county region since 2003. SMIF has also established 16 Early Childhood Initiative community coalitions.

Already more than 400 projects and programs are in place as an outgrowth of coalition work in communities statewide, through the Minnesota Early Childhood Intitiative, formed in 2003. In the Albert Lea area, ECI takes the form of Freeborn County Thrive Initiative, a program that was developed in 2006 and continue to be directed by SMIF, as part of its emerging workforce focus.

Jenny Habana, Freeborn County Thrive Intiative team manager, says: “We are pleased to be able to make this important educational opportunity available to the people who work with young children and their families here in our country.”

Through our collective efforts, like Dr. Sulik’s passion to share his knowledge about childhood mental health, we can continue building on local assets to improve conditions for families with young children, ensuring that they receive the care, support and education they need to succeed in school and in life.

We encourage all people interested in learning more about supporting young children’s mental health in their work or in the community to attend this training. To secure your place or additional information, contact Teri Steckelberg at 455-3215, or teris@smifoundation.org.

Tim Penny is the president of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation.