Anti-immigration rhetoric ideology and nativism have permeated all corners of political and media discourse in the United States, making the socio-political climate the most hostile towards immigrant communities in modern history. The ripple effect of immigration policies and enforcement are multifaceted, multi-generational, and detrimental to the health, well-being, and socio-economic stability of immigrant communities regardless of immigration status.

The purpose of this two-part webinar series is to build the capacity of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health providers to understand and support the unique needs of caring for immigrant families with young children. This series will raise awareness about interlocking systems of oppression affecting both immigrant families and their service providers. It will provide an overview of how young children’s well-being is affected by the trauma of family separation, whether threatened or actual, as a result of detention and deportation. It will explore the relationship between providers’ identities and work-related stress, including Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS). The presenters will introduce diversity-informed protective strategies to prevent and mitigate the primary and secondary effects of the work, in providers, including diversity-informed reflective practice, Radical Healing approaches, and organizational accountability. Participants will also learn about the “Family Preparedness Plan,” a developmentally- trauma- and diversity-informed tool, to support and empower immigrant families facing separation concerns. Strategies to increase a sense of safety and protection in organizations serving immigrant families (e.g. family shelters, IECMH learning and child care centers) will also be discussed.