Long Beach Health Department Launches Early Childhood Mental Health Program to Support Families and Childcare Providers

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PRESS RELEASE

Above: A young event attendee participates in an arts and crafts activity at a previous Celebration of the Young Child event held at Billie Jean King Main Library.

Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department), in partnership with local early childhood organizations, has launched the Early Childhood Mental Health Program. The program will support the emotional wellbeing of young children by providing resources, training and guidance for families and childcare providers. Building on the Health Department's Early Childhood Strategic Initiatives Program, this new effort will provide critical support for those caring for the city's youngest residents.

"Our early childhood educators are on the front lines of shaping the next generation, and this new program will equip them with the tools to support children's mental health from the very beginning," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "By strengthening our system of care, we are creating a lasting change that will extend far beyond the classroom."

From September 2025 through June 2026, the Early Childhood Mental Health Program will provide:

• One-on-one consultations to help childcare providers address children's emotional and developmental needs.
• Professional development opportunities to expand knowledge and strengthen early childhood education practices.
• Parent workshops to equip families with tools and strategies to support children's well-being at home.

As part of the program's launch, the Health Department will host a training session on Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Miller Family Health Center (3820 Cherry Ave.). This session will cover early childhood mental health, available resources, expert guidance and connections to supportive services. Providers and educators are encouraged to register through the Early Childhood Mental Health Workshop registration page.

"This investment allows the Health Department to build lasting support for caregivers, educators and families," said Alison King, Director of the Department of Health and Human Services. "By combining our expertise in early childhood and mental health, we can strengthen the systems that help children, providers and families thrive."

With more than 30,000 children ages 0 to 5 living in Long Beach, the City recognizes the essential role that childcare providers have in supporting families and the local economy. Through collaboration and direct support, the program will help ensure that children grow up healthy, resilient and ready to learn.

Funding for the Early Childhood Mental Health Program comes from a $1.3 million, 18-month grant awarded in January 2025 by the California Youth Behavioral Health Initiative. The grant, awarded through a competitive process, will expire June 30, 2026.

For more information about the City's Early Childhood Education Strategic Initiatives program, the community is encouraged to visit the program's webpage at longbeach.gov/ECEprogram.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. More information about the Long Beach Health Department is available at longbeach.gov/health and on Instagram, Facebook and X.

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