Diagnostic Classification 0-5 

DC:0–5 Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood is designed to help professionals in mental health and other/related fields

Learn more: https://www.zerotothree.org/our-work/dc-0-5

Department of Children and Families

The Department of Children and Families (DCFDepartment of Children and Families The Department of Children and Families (DCF) works in partnership with families and communities to keep children safe from abuse and neglect.  In most cases, DCF ...) works in partnership with families and communities to keep children safe from abuse and neglect. 

In most cases, DCFDepartment of Children and Families The Department of Children and Families (DCF) works in partnership with families and communities to keep children safe from abuse and neglect.  In most cases, DCF ... is able to provide support and services to keep children safe with parents or family members. When necessary, DCFDepartment of Children and Families The Department of Children and Families (DCF) works in partnership with families and communities to keep children safe from abuse and neglect.  In most cases, DCF ... provides foster care or finds new permanent families for children through kinship, guardianship or adoption.

Learn more: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-children-families 

Devereux Early Childhood Assessment

The Devereux Center for Resilient Children’s “Devereux Early Childhood Assessment” (DECADevereux Early Childhood Assessment The Devereux Center for Resilient Children’s “Devereux Early Childhood Assessment” (DECA) Program provides teachers and families with a strength-based assessm...) Program provides teachers and families with a strength-based assessment and planning system designed to promote resilience in children ages four weeks to six-years-old.

Learn more: https://www.devereux.org/site/SPageServer/;jsessionid=00000000.app20118b?NONCE_TOKEN=69AF84C3C2EF7821B87BEBD6BD821F6C&pagename=lifelong_skills

Department of Housing and Community Development

The Department of Housing and Community Development produces and preserves affordable housing options and revitalizes underserved communities 

Learn more: https://www.handhousing.org/hand-member-directory/district-of-columbia-department-of-housing-and-community-development/ 

Department of Mental Health

The Department of Mental Health, as the State Mental Health Authority, assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages; enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities.

Learn more: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-mental-health 

Department of Public Health

DPHDepartment of Public Health DPH keeps people healthy and communities strong. We promote the health and well-being of all residents by ensuring access to high-quality public health and healthcare servi... keeps people healthy and communities strong. We promote the health and well-being of all residents by ensuring access to high-quality public health and healthcare services, focusing on prevention and wellness, and health equity for all.

Learn more: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-public-health 

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is the handbook used by healthcare professionals in the United States and much of the world as the authoritative guide to the diagnosis of mental disorders. DSMDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is the handbook used by healthcare professionals in the United States and much of the wo... contains descriptions, symptoms, and other criteria for diagnosing mental disorders. 

It provides a common language for clinicians to communicate about their patients and establishes consistent and reliable diagnoses that can be used in the research of mental disorders. It also provides a common language for researchers to study the criteria for potential future revisions and to aid in the development of medications and other interventions.

Learn more: https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm/feedback-and-questions/frequently-asked-questions 

Department of Transitional Assistance

The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTADepartment of Transitional Assistance The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) assists and empowers low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life,...) assists and empowers low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life, and achieve long term economic self-sufficiency. DTADepartment of Transitional Assistance The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) assists and empowers low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life,... serves one in seven residents of the Commonwealth with direct economic assistance (cash benefits) and food assistance (SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program  SNAP provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency.  ... benefits), as well as workforce training opportunities.

Learn more: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-transitional-assistance 

Evidence Based Practice

Evidence-based practice is an approach to health care wherein health practitioners use the best evidence possible, i.e., the most appropriate information available, to make decisions for individuals, groups and populations

Evidence-based practice incorporates successful strategies that improve client outcomes and is derived from various sources of evidence including research, national guidelines, policies, consensus statements, systematic analysis of clinical experience, quality improvement data, specialized knowledge and skills of experts.

Learn more: https://www.andeal.org/evidence-based-practice

Early Childhood Mental Health

The aim of the Early Childhood Mental Health program is to improve the social and emotional well-being of young children and families by strengthening relationships with caregivers and promoting age-appropriate social and emotional skills. 

Its strategies are built on development and knowledge about young children and families, enriched by clinical perspectives. 

Learn more: https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=otfLCgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA416&dq=Early+Childhood+Mental+Health&ots=QiqFvdkoyj&sig=rK6nbRZdAAygEztGRW_PaHPJq48#v=onepage&q=Early%20Childhood%20Mental%20Health&f=false