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Mental Health — Sacramento Family Connect

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Whether you’re seeking information on managing stress, coping with anxiety, improving sleep quality, or fostering resilience, you’ll find a diverse range of topics covered to meet your needs. Our goal is to empower you with knowledge, tools, and strategies to promote mental wellness and cultivate a thriving, balanced life. Take the first step towards prioritizing your mental health today by exploring our curated collection of resources.

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Submit an online Mental Health Service Request or call the Behavioral Health Services Screening and Coordination (BHS SAC) Team to request an over-the-phone brief screening and linkage to an appropriate mental health​ service provider.

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National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations

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The goals of the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) are to assist states and programs in their implementation of sustainable systems for the implementation of the Pyramid Model for Supporting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children (Pyramid Model) within early intervention and early education programs with a focus on promoting the social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes of young children birth to five, reducing the use of inappropriate discipline practices, promoting family engagement, using data for decision-making, integrating early childhood and infant mental health consultation and fostering inclusion. s

Resource Spotlight

Children's book list

Includes diverse examples of books that can be used to promote social-emotional skills.

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Supporting implementation of the Pyramid Model with fidelity.

Conference

National Training Institute on Effective Practices: Addressing Challenging Behavior

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National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations

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The goals of the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) are to assist states and programs in their implementation of sustainable systems for the implementation of the Pyramid Model for Supporting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children (Pyramid Model) within early intervention and early education programs with a focus on promoting the ...

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Handout 2: Introduction & Understanding Social-Emotional Development Agenda

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Handout 2: Introduction & Understanding Social-Emotional Development Agenda

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Handout 5: Definition of Social-Emotional Development

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Handout 5: Definition of Social-Emotional Development

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Handout 6: The Developmental Continuum Activity

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Handout 6: The Developmental Continuum Activity

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Handout 7: The Developmental Continuum Key

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Handout 7: The Developmental Continuum Key

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Handout 8: Implementation Checklist Warmth & Responsivity

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Handout 8: Implementation Checklist Warmth & Responsivity

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Handout 2: Focusing on Relationships Agenda

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Handout 2: Focusing on Relationships Agenda

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Handout 5: Implementation Checklist Enhancing My Relationships

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Handout 5: Implementation Checklist Enhancing My Relationships

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Relationship Building with Families Guide

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Relationship Building with Families Guide

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Handout 6: Implementation Checklist Working With Families

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Handout 6: Implementation Checklist Working With Families

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Handout 2: Responsive Routines, Schedules, & Environments Agenda

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Handout 2: Responsive Routines, Schedules, & Environments Agenda

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Handout 3: Responsive Routines Inventory

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Handout 3: Responsive Routines Inventory

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Handout 4: Infant & Toddler Environment Planning

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Handout 4: Infant & Toddler Environment Planning

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Handout 5: Implementation Checklist: Responsive Routines & Schedules, Classroom Environments

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Handout 5: Implementation Checklist: Responsive Routines & Schedules, Classroom Environments

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Handout 2: Understanding Behavior Agenda

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Handout 2: Understanding Behavior Agenda

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Handout 3: Components to Better Understand & Respond to Behavior

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Handout 3: Components to Better Understand & Respond to Behavior

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Handout 5: Understanding Temperament in Infants & Toddlers

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Handout 5: Understanding Temperament in Infants & Toddlers

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Handout 7: Examining Our Emotional Reactions to Behaviors

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Handout 7: Examining Our Emotional Reactions to Behaviors

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Official websites use .gov

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Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Resources to Support Child Development

Explore More Resources

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A website and virtual community dedicated to lifelong learning and support for people who have an intellectual disability, their families and support networks.

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Handout 10: Implementation Checklist: Behavior

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Handout 10: Implementation Checklist: Behavior

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Handout 2: Teaching About Feelings Agenda

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Handout 2: Teaching About Feelings Agenda

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Handout 3: Using Books to Support Emotional Literacy

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Handout 3: Using Books to Support Emotional Literacy

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Handout 4: Implementation Checklist: Respond to Emotions & Teach About Feelings

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Handout 4: Implementation Checklist: Respond to Emotions & Teach About Feelings

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Handout 2: Supporting Positive Peer Interaction Agenda

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Handout 2: Supporting Positive Peer Interaction Agenda

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Handout 3: Development of Play Skills for Infants & Toddlers

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Handout 3: Development of Play Skills for Infants & Toddlers

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Handout 4: Strategies for Supporting the Development of Friendship Skills

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Handout 4: Strategies for Supporting the Development of Friendship Skills

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Handout 5: Classroom Environment & Peer Interaction

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Handout 5: Classroom Environment & Peer Interaction

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Handout 6: Implementation Checklist: Peer Interactions 

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Handout 6: Implementation Checklist: Peer Interactions 

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Handout 2: Individualized Teaching Agenda

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Handout 2: Individualized Teaching Agenda

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Handout 5: Individualized Teaching Plan-SAMPLE

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Handout 5: Individualized Teaching Plan-SAMPLE

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Handout 7: Implementation Checklist: Individualized Teaching

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Handout 7: Implementation Checklist: Individualized Teaching

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Handout 3: Identifying Behaviors Activity

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Handout 3: Identifying Behaviors Activity

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Handout 6: Implementation Checklist: Challenging Behavior

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Handout 6: Implementation Checklist: Challenging Behavior

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National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations

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At every tier of the Pyramid Model, practitioners and programs should consider what strategies might be used to welcome and support diverse families; how to create opportunities to learn from families; strategies for partnering with families to promote child outcomes; and providing the supports and services that families might need to promote their child's skill development.
(Fox & Swett, 2017, p. 86).

Fox, L. & Swett, J. (2017). Implementing partnerships with families to promote the social and emotional competence of young children. In Weist, M. D. Weist, S.A. Garbacz, K. L. Lane, & D. Kincaid, D. (Eds), Aligning and integrating family engagement in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS): Concepts and strategies for families and schools in key contexts (pp. 84-97). Center for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (funded by the Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education). Eugene, Oregon: University of Oregon Press. https://www.pbis.org/Common/Cms/files/pbisresources/Family%20Engagement%20in%20PBIS.pdf

Guidance on Family Engagement

On May 5, 2016, the U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a statement on the implementation of effective family engagement practices from the early years to the early grades. This statement offers a review of research, legal requirement, and best practices related to family engagement. Included in the statement are recommendations and resources for states and programs.
ED-HHS Policy Statement on Family Engagement: From the Early Years to the Early Grades
Link to this accordion Executive Summary The Backpack Connection Series includes handouts in four categories:
Addressing Behavior | Emotions | Routines and Schedules | Social Skills
We strongly recommend that you find the time to explore the importance of family engagement and the development of trusting partnerships with families by viewing this four-part web broadcast hosted by the ECTA Center in partnership with the DaSY Center, Ann Turnbull, and Rud Turnbull.

The Backpack Connection Series was created by TACSEI to provide a way for teachers and parents/caregivers to work together to help young children develop social emotional skills and reduce challenging behavior. Teachers may choose to send a handout home in each child's backpack when a new strategy or skill is introduced to the class. Each Backpack Connection handout provides information that helps parents stay informed about what their child is learning at school and specific ideas on how to use the strategy or skill at home. This series was developed in collaboration with Pyramid Plus: The Colorado Center for Social Emotional Competence and Inclusion and Bal Swan Children's Center in Broomfield, Colorado.
View Translations Link to this accordion
Other Languages
Link to this accordion
Looking for Backpack Connection or other Family Materials in Spanish or Chinese? Our resources have been translated. Click below to explore additional materials on cainclusion.org.
Link to this accordion
Scripted Stories for Social Situations are short PowerPoint presentations consisting of a mixture of words and pictures that provide specific information to a child about social situations such as going to preschool, sitting in circle time, staying safe and using words. When children are given information that helps them understand expectations, their problem behavior within that situation is reduced or minimized. These stories provide examples of how scripted stories are worded and illustrated for a child. Teachers and families should modify the story to be meaningful for the child they are supporting and the unique context of the social situation.

We have compiled a variety of activities, materials and tools to help children promote self-regulation or problem solving. Examples of tools you will find here are handouts that feature emotion faces, the "turtle technique" and feeling charts as well as solution kits to help children come up with solutions around common social problems.

Children and families have a smoother day when children know what to expect. The resources below provide families with strategies for setting up schedules, routines, and smooth transitions.

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Family Engagement - National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations

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At every tier of the Pyramid Model, practitioners and programs should consider what strategies might be used to welcome and support diverse families; how to create opportunities to learn from families; strategies for partnering with families to promote child outcomes; and providing the supports and services that families might need to promote their child's skill [...]

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National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations

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A Feel Better Book for Littler Worriers

Worried

Feelings

Holly Brochmann, Leah Bowen

3-6

Worries can feel really big, especially when you are little! Children will learn what a worry is, what it feels like, where worries come from, and strategies for coping and feeling better about their worries.

worried

feelings

3-6

Buddy the Bulldozer Learns to Calm Down

Angry, Mad

Arica Marshall

3-5

When Buddy the Bulldozer gets mad, his engine begins to fume! But Buddy is learning a new way to cool his engine when he gets mad. He can put on his brakes, stop, and take three deep breaths. When his engine is cool, he can think of ways to solve the problem with his friends.

angry mad

feelings friendship problem-solving

3-5

Calm Down Time

Mad, Sad

Feelings

Elizabeth Verdick

Calm Down Time helps children learn ways to calm themselves when they are feeling big emotions. They can take deep breaths, count to three, ask for a hug or hug themselves, sing to themselves, or talk about their feelings.

mad sad

feelings

Can I Play Too?

Mo Williems

3-5

Gerald and Piggie are playing a game of catch when they meet a new snake friend who wants to join in and play. Can a snake play catch? Afterall, a snake has no arms! But that's not a problem! The three friends keep trying until they finally figure out how they can all play catch!

feelings friendship problem-solving

3-5

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners

Confident, Proud

Acceptance/Belonging, Feelings

Joanna Ho

4-8

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners is about a young Asian girl who notices that her eyes are different from some of her classmates. Her eyes look just like her mothers' and grandmother's. They have eyes that kiss in the corners, glow like warm tea, and crinkle into crescent moons. But best of all, she recognizes that her eyes are beautiful!

confident proud

acceptance-belonging feelings

4-8

Hair Love

Confident, Excited, Proud, Worried

Feelings

Matthew A. Cherry

4-8

Zuri is excited! Today is a big day and she wants her hair to be just perfect! And, it's up to Zuri's daddy to give her an extra special hair style. After many tries, they finally achieve a style that Zuri not only loves, but also makes her feel very special and confident!

confident excited proud worried

feelings

4-8

How do I feel? A book about emotions

Angry, Happy, Loved, Sad, Scared

Feelings

0-3

How Do I Feel? is an interactive book about emotions. Examples of relatable situations such as dropping your ice cream or someone breaking your toy are described and then children decide how the character might be feeling. An emotion wheel that shows a range of emotions and faces helps children decide which emotion the character might be feeling.

angry happy loved sad scared

feelings

0-3

If You're Happy and You Know It!

Happy

Feelings

Jane Cabrera

0-3

Engage infants and toddlers with this fun, interactive book as jungle animals show what they do when they are feeling happy. Children will learn about feeling happy as they nod their head with giraffe, flap their arms with bird, roar out loud with lion, and jump around with frog!

happy

feelings

0-3

It Will Be Okay

Brave, Embarrassed, Nervous, Scared, Silly, Worried

Lisa Katzenberger

4-7

Giraffe and Zebra meet every day to walk to the watering hole. One day, Zebra finds Giraffe hiding in a tree because he saw a spider and he is scared! Giraffe experiences many feelings while Zebra patiently waits, showing empathy and kindness, until his friend feels brave enough to climb down.

brave embarrassed nervous scared silly worried

feelings friendship kindness-empathy

4-7

Jabari Jumps

Nervous, Scared

Feelings

Gaia Cornwall

3-7

Jabari has passed his swim test and is ready to jump off the diving board! He is a great jumper and he is not scared at all! Well, maybe just a little scared. His dad assures him that it is ok to feel a little scared and tells Jabari what he does when he feels scared. It has something to do with surprises and Jabari loves surprises! He gives it a try and - he jumps!

nervous scared

feelings

3-7

Language That We All Can Speak

K. Read

4-7

Olivka has moved to a new town and is excited about her new school. She wonders what the children will be like and if she will make new friends. Olivka discovers that the children at her school are very diverse, which is a new experience for her. Everyone is so welcoming! Olivka knows that it will be a great day and that kindness is a language we can all speak.

excited happy surprised

acceptance-belonging feelings friendship

4-7

On Monday When It Rained

Angry, Disappointed, Embarrassed, Excited, Lonely, Proud, Scared

Feelings

Cherryl Kachenmeister

3-5

On Monday When It Rained is about a little boy and what happens to him every day for a week. The boy talks about what happens to him each day and how it makes him feel. Whether he is feeling excited, lonely, or embarrassed, the real life images of the little boy's face are very expressive and illustrate a range of emotions. Can you guess how he is feeling?

angry disappointed embarrassed excited lonely proud scared

feelings

3-5

Remarkably YOU

Caring, Courageous, Shy, Silly, Timid

Acceptance/Belonging, Feelings

Pat Zietlow Miller

4-8

Whether you are little or big, quiet or loud the message is clear in the illustrations and text of this book. You are remarkably YOU! Help children see all the ways they can be their remarkable little selves. They don't have to change to be like others, they just need to believe in themselves and the things they do best.

caring courageous shy silly timid

acceptance-belonging feelings

4-8

Roaring Mad Riley

Angry, Happy, Mad, Sad

Feelings, Friendship

Allison Szczecinski

3-5

Learn how to pause and cool down with a little help from some friendly dinosaurs! Riley gets roaring mad when Parker accidently knocks his blocks down. But Mr. Rex shows Riley that there are many ways to calm down even when you are roaring mad. Riley learns how to keep calm by taking deep breaths, counting to 10, shaking it out, and thinking happy thoughts.

angry happy mad sad

feelings friendship

3-5

The Feelings Book

Brave, Cranky, Lonely, Scared, Silly

Feelings

Todd Parr

1-3

The Feelings Book illustrates a wide range of feelings in a simple, relatable way. Sometimes we feel silly, sometimes we feel brave, sometimes we feel really mad, and sometimes we feel like trying something new! The book's format and silly illustrations provide fun opportunities for great conversations around our ever -changing feelings.

brave cranky lonely scared silly

feelings

1-3

The Kissing Hand

Fearful, Lonely, Loved, Nervous

Feelings

Audrey Penn

2-6

Chester Racoon is nervous about going to school for the first time. He doesn't want to leave his mother, his toys, or his friends! But his mother shares a family secret that will reassure him of her love any time he feels a little lonely or fearful.

fearful lonely loved nervous

feelings

2-6

The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh

Brave, Courageous, Gloomy, Happy, Nervous, Sad, Shy

Feelings, Friendship

Supriya Kelkar

3-5

Harpreet Singh loves his colors. He has a different color for every mood and occasion and always makes sure that his patka matches his outfit. When Harpreet's family moves, everything changes. Harpreet wears white every day to school. What will it take to get Harpreet to wear his bright colors again?

brave courageous gloomy happy nervous sad shy

feelings friendship

3-5

The Pout Pout Fish and the Mad Mad Day

Angry, Calm, Despair, Disappointed, Mad, Sad, Scared, Worried

Feelings, Friendship

Deborah Diesen

3-7

Pout Pout Fish is having a bad day! A feeling begins to fill his gills and it is getting bigger and bigger. Pout Pout Fish is mad and he is getting madder and madder and doesn't know how to stop! With a little help from his friends, Pout Pout Fish learns ways to stop his mad and feel as good as new!

angry calm despair disappointed mad sad scared worried

feelings friendship

3-7

Together We Can

Carly Hart

3-7

Together We Can is all about friendships. The children in the story explain what friends are, how to make friends, and how to be a friend! It's about sharing, playing, being kind, and working together. Some friends may dress differently, speak a different language, or use a wheelchair to get around. Our friends are all different and each one is special!

feelings friendship kindness-empathy

3-7

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Children's Books - National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations

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This children's book list includes diverse examples of books that can be used to promote social-emotional skills such as feelings and emotions, friendships, kindness, and problem solving. The list is not meant to be exhaustive. Additional books will be periodically added to the list.

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Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education

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Eager to Learn: Educating Our Preschoolers

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Read online, download a free PDF, or order a copy in print.

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How we raise young children is one of today's most highly personalized and sharply politicized issues, in part because each of us can claim some level of "expertise." The debate has intensified as discoveries about our development-in the womb and in the first months and years-have reached the popular media.

How can we use our burgeoning knowledge to assure the well-being of all young children, for their own sake as well as for the sake of our nation? Drawing from new findings, this book presents important conclusions about nature-versus-nurture, the impact of being born into a working family, the effect of politics on programs for children, the costs and benefits of intervention, and other issues.

The committee issues a series of challenges to decision makers regarding the quality of child care, issues of racial and ethnic diversity, the integration of children's cognitive and emotional development, and more.

Authoritative yet accessible, From Neurons to Neighborhoods presents the evidence about "brain wiring" and how kids learn to speak, think, and regulate their behavior. It examines the effect of the climate-family, child care, community-within which the child grows.

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From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development

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Read online, download a free PDF, or order a copy in print.