We exist to help families and foster families make safe, stable, healthy homes where young children can develop into secure, productive members of our society.

History

In 1974, concerned about the number of children reaching kindergarten too emotionally disturbed to benefit from education, a group of local parents, teachers, social workers, and community activists founded Therapeutic Nursery School to serve nine preschool children in West Contra Costa County. The need was so great and their success was so notable, that, in a few years, this program had expanded and won government support to develop two new services that were offered few other places in the United States - Infant Parent Home Visiting and Preschool Mental Health Consultation Teams.

In 1983, the nursery school and its associated programs were incorporated as Early Childhood Mental Health Program, and, in 1993, it became a certified MediCal clinic. Today, it provides a broad range of mental health services to children aged birth to six and their families as well as consultation to day care providers and other child-serving professionals.

Early Childhood Mental Health Program is a private nonprofit public benefit corporation. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. The agency is governed by a Board of Directors made up of persons who are interested in the welfare of children. Board Members are not compensated for their services.

Board of Directors Louise Wianecki Hinkamp, M.A., N.C.S.P., President Jean Lipton,Vice President Nick Despota, Secretary Jeff Devine, Treasurer Douglas T. Corbin Carla Della Zoppa Karen Leong Fenton Elwanda Gammill, R.N., Ed.D., M.S.N. Hope Gallon Elaina Spitaels Genser Hunter Harris, M.D. Judge Patricia Herron, Ret. Leigh Johnson, Esq. George R. Martin Alison Cartwright Mitchell Judith Morgan Jeannine Shalaby Beth Rimanoczy, Immediate Past President Senior Staff Arlette Merritt, M.A., Executive Director Marjorie Schwartz, L.C.S.W., Clinical Director Carol Frank, Deputy Director Janet Baiocchi, Office Manager Minnette Murphy, M.D., Consulting Psychiatrist

Emeritus Board Virginia Blacklidge, M.D. Gudrun Dybdal, R.N. Margot Mann Hass, M.F.T. Chizu Iiyama Jean Knox Don Lau Doris B. Mack Carol Maloney Margaret E. Schaus Robert Strauss In Memoriam We remember and mourn the loss of Board members Dr. Pina Barbieri, Ann Lenway, Belle Lipsett, Phyllis Maslan, and Theodora Robertson.

Design for this web site was made possible through a grant from the Taproot Foundation. Web site programming donated by Nick Despota, Lumina Media Productions.