Collaboration to Change the Trajectory for Child Welfare Involved Infants, Young Children, and Their Families: Implementation of Research Informed Infant Courts

USA Infant Court is a multisystem, trauma-focused approach designed to address the complex needs of infants, toddlers, and their parents involved in the child welfare system and to improve outcomes. Infant mental health values and principles as well as knowledge areas such as the impact of trauma on early brain development, attachment theory, and trauma -informed care are integrated into the practice of infant courts. The core components of evidenced informed infant and early childhood courts will be reviewed. Presenters will describe two pilot infant court projects and the expansion of infant courts statewide through legislation.