IMH Task Force
The IMH Task Force is comprised of primarily of mental health professionals who are also First Steps providers. However, you do not have to be a First Steps provider to participate. The purpose of the IMH Task Force is to share resources, ideas, and news about infant mental health in Indiana. Some of our past activities include developing white papers about accessing mental health services through First Steps and how to conduct an IMH assessment. We also serve an advocacy function by submitting comments to Indiana First Steps about proposed policy and practice changes.
IMH Task Force members are working to identify ways to better serve First Steps clients and to coordinate with other providers, including ED Teams. The group is beginning to work on a case study book about young children in foster care. Meetings are usually held at the Riley Child Development Center at Riley Hospital and occur about once every 6 to 8 weeks. Members frequently share information via email in between. If you are unable to meet, you can still stay update via email. Contact Angie Tomlin if you would like to receive information about this group (atomlin@iupui.edu)
The IMH Task Force prepares occasional papers on topics of interest. Papers will be included as available in this section of the website.
In October 2007 the American Academy of Pediatrics published guidelines for pediatricians for early diagnosis and treatment of autism. The IMH Task Force's newest paper is designed to foster discussion about the role of early intervention providers in screening, diagnosis, and intervention in autism spectrum disorders. Click on the link to view the pdf of the paper.
Autism Screening and Early Intervention:
Task Force members created a crosswalk comparing the Diagnostic Criteria for Zero to Three-Revised to both the DSM and the ICD systems. This crosswalk may be used by clinicians to identify appropriate DSM or ICD diagnosis for infants and young children. In is also helpful for those wishing to gain familiarity with the DC: 0-3 R.
To see the Crosswalk click here…