Easterseals North Georgia (ESNG), a community-based nonprofit that provides high-quality services to children with disabilities and families, expands its Early Childhood Mental Health program. The organization will serve more children by adding both capacity and additional therapies. ESNG pioneered Early Childhood Mental Health in Georgia and has offered services for over 20 years.

ESNG's Early Childhood Mental Health Program uses the Pyramid Framework. ESNG provides evidence-based preventative, consultative, and group and individualized treatment to children and families enrolled in its Early Education Centers. The organization now offers Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), a heavily studied and validated intervention treatment model for children 0 – 6 years old who have experienced trauma and/or are experiencing mental health or behavioral problems, including posttraumatic stress disorder.

"Sound mental health provides an essential foundation that supports all other aspects of human development – from forming friendships and the ability to cope with adversity to achieving success in school, work, and community life. Disruptions to this developmental process can impair a child's capacities for learning and relating to others – with lifelong implications," explained Donna Davidson, CEO of Easterseals North Georgia. "ESNG has been a long-time advocate for early intervention therapies, including mental health, because capitalizing on a child's first five years of life, the most critical period for shaping a child's brain architecture, drastically changes the child's trajectory for success."

The recent passage of the Mental Health Parity Act in Georgia helped propel ESNG's program expansion. ESNG has added highly qualified, licensed therapists to its Early Childhood Mental Health team and screens every child in its Early Education Program for potential mental health concerns along with other developmental delays. "Every child, regardless of ability, socio-economic circumstance, race or ethnicity deserves the best shot for a successful and happy life, and Easterseals North Georgia is determined to give it to them," stated Donna Davidson.