Growing Expertise in Early Childhood Mental Health

The Promising Minds Fellows Program is building a network of well trained professionals throughout Hawai‘i.

In Hawai‘i, where more than one in four children under the age of five has faced an adverse childhood experience, the need for trauma-informed early childhood professionals is critical. Through the Promising Minds initiative, the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) has partnered with the Association for Infant Mental Health in Hawai‘i (AIMH HI) to address this need. A cornerstone of this partnership is the Promising Minds Fellows Program, which has become a key driver in strengthening the state’s capacity to support infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH).

Launched in 2020, the nine-month fellowship program is designed to build a sustainable and thriving network of IECMH professionals. Its objectives are twofold: to enhance the proficiency and confidence of those working with infants, young children, and their families, and to increase the number of IECMH consultants available to serve as vital resources for communities across the state.

Since its inception, the Fellows Program has trained more than 100 professionals—including social workers, behavioral health case managers, and therapists—equipping them with the tools to address trauma, foster resilience, and support the social-emotional development of Hawai‘i’s youngest keiki.

Survey findings highlight the program’s transformative impact. Participants consistently report increased confidence in understanding trauma and applying IECMH principles. Reflecting on the program, one participant shared, “The sense of community between us all was powerful. The support through Reflective Supervision Consultation groups and connecting monthly with all of us made me feel like I was not alone in this field. I also found the opportunity to practice the skills we were taught to be very helpful. As the fellowship came to an end, I left with a full cup.”

The program’s comprehensive design includes opportunities for advanced learning through specialized cohorts focused on reflective supervision, mental health consultation, and child-parent psychotherapy. These cohorts provide participants with the skills to lead systemic changes and foster trauma-informed practices within their organizations.

Erin Henderson Lacerdo, AIMH HI’s Executive Director, shared her insight into the program’s value: “At AIMH HI, we like to say that we are the hands that hold the hands of those who hold babies. The Fellows Program is about supporting providers who work with children and their families—from prenatal to age 5—to understand and nurture mental health from the very beginning of life. Babies can’t thrive without someone caring for them, and by supporting the adults in their lives, we are able to create the most meaningful and sustainable impact through the strengthening of first relationships.”

The Promising Minds Fellows Program has created a ripple effect, reaching beyond individual participants to influence entire organizations and communities. By equipping professionals with trauma-informed skills, the program has built a stronger foundation for early childhood mental health services, statewide.

The impact of the Fellows Program lies not only in the expertise it imparts, but also in the connections and confidence it fosters. By strengthening the community of IECMH providers, the program ensures Hawai‘i’s youngest keiki and their ʻohana have access to the care and support they need for years to come.

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