Child & Family Center has announced that staff members Heidi Viramontes, LCSW Program Coordinator II, Early Childhood and Multidisciplinary Assessment Team and Sommer Mneimne, LCSW Clinical Supervisor Outpatient Services, have completed the 2024-2025 UCLA Early Childhood Fellowship sponsored by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health in collaboration with the UCLA Prevention Center of Excellence.

In addition, Amy Warren, PsyD, Manager of Training and Education for Child & Family Center, was accepted into the upcoming 2025-2026 Fellowship cohort.

The 10-month program brings together professionals working with young children to learn research-based and community-informed practices in prevention and early intervention. This year’s cohort consisted of 20 Los Angeles county organizations representing various backgrounds, including mental health therapists, early childhood educators, parent partners, speech/language therapists, Department of Children & Family Services and Department of Mental Health.

National and local experts collaborate with colleagues to create and implement innovative approaches to address the challenges faced by families with young children.

Together with their fellowship team, Viramontes and Mneimne developed a culminating project focused on addressing the needs of the youngest children and families. The project comprises support tools for Infant Mental Health clinicians, based on the “Heart, Head and Hands” framework. It integrates Zero to Three’s core competencies for early childhood professionals, prenatal to 5 years, which together represent the skills and approaches necessary for professionals working with infants, toddlers and families.

The support tools include:

— Guides on various topics that include step by step consideration and practices to addressing clinical challenges.

— A clinician focused Self- Assessment to support reflection on the implementation of interventions and gaps in services.

— A Family-Child assessment to assist the family in identifying their own strengths and opportunities for further growth.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the Fellowship experience and the opportunity to share space with like-minded professionals who are passionate about serving the children and families in our communities, said Viramontes. “It was a space to reflect, grow, and reaffirm “my why” – why I choose to serve and hold the most vulnerable children and families. I am reinvigorated with a sense of hope that we as community can affect profound and life changing impacts.”

“The fellowship was an incredible opportunity to connect with professionals across LA County and reflect on best practices for supporting young children and their families. It deepened my understanding and gave me new tools that I’m excited to bring back to Child & Family Center. Our project, grounded in the ‘Heart, Head, and Hands’ framework, will strengthen how our team supports 0-5 mental health services and I hope it inspires others to join this vital work,” said Mneimne.

“I am so incredibly proud of Heidi, Sommer and Amy. Their selection into this Fellowship reflects not only their professional excellence but also their relentless compassion and advocacy for the youngest and most vulnerable members of our community. Their leadership continues to strengthen the Center’s efforts in building resilience, restoring hope, and creating safe pathways to healing for children and their families,” said Child & Family Center CEO/President, Nikki Buckstead.

Child & Family Center provides mental and behavioral health services, drug and alcohol treatment and domestic violence services to children, teens and their families.

Visit www.childfamilycenter.org to learn more.