Panel event centers around mental health of young children

LAWRENCE — On Feb. 25, five researchers and practitioners will present on the mental health of children, especially those 4 and 5 years old, in a panel put on by the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare’s Center for Community Engagement & Collaboration (CCEC). 

“Focus on 4s: Advancing Family Well-Being Through Data-Driven Interventions in Early Childhood Mental Health” will take place on Zoom from 12-1:30 p.m. The panel discussion is part of the KU School of Social Welfare’s series of conversations about the Grand Challenges for Social Work. 

The event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. Learn more and register. 

Social workers and other behavioral health professionals who register for the event can receive 1.5 continuing education credits.

Focus on 4s: Advancing Family Well-being through Data-Driven Interventions in Early Childhood Mental Health 

• Tuesday, Feb. 25 
• 12-1:30 p.m. 
• Online event via Zoom 
• Free

Speakers include: 

• Dr. Whitney Grube, assistant professor at the KU School of Social Welfare. 
• Dr. Kiley Liming, associate researcher senior at the KU School of Social Welfare, and principal investigator and lead evaluator of an HRSA-funded grant concerning infant-toddler courts in Oklahoma. 
• David Jordan, president of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. 
• Chad Childs, who is experienced in the early childhood mental and behavioral healthcare field. 
• Kelly Ross, supervisor at Johnson County Mental Health. 

“From her own base of expertise, Dr. Whitney Grube will moderate a conversation with funders, mental health professionals, child development experts, and other scholars about the social/emotional needs of young children and their families and the promising interventions for response,” said Melinda Lewis, director of the school’s Center for Community Engagement & Collaboration. 

“These insights will help to inform future research, investments in practitioner capacity, and partnerships to collaboratively face this Grand Challenge,” Lewis said.

The Grand Challenges for Social Work is an initiative through the American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare (AASWSW) “to champion social progress powered by science,” according to its website. The Grand Challenges have several goals categorized under “Individual and family well-being,” “Stronger social fabric” and “Just society.” This event addresses the "Ensure healthy development for youth" Grand Challenge from the first category.

“This Grand Challenge discussion – like all our public scholarship events – is designed to not only convey the School’s research on important issues but also listen to practitioners and partners with experience in responding to these crucial concerns,” Lewis said.

Public scholarship work from the KU School of Social Welfare includes:

• Public events – both in-person and virtual – including Grand Challenges panels and research impact talks
• Policy, practice and research briefs and other innovative dissemination products

Learn more about public scholarship from the KU School of Social Welfare.