Posted by Peggy Kaufman

Zero to Three logoEight years ago JF&CS embraced the idea of becoming a hub for Infant Mental Health training in Boston and welcomed the creation of the Infant-Parent Training Institute (IPTI). Since that time, I have had the great pleasure to be part of the IPTI leadership team and faculty, which has given me the opportunity to work among the most thoughtful, caring, and intelligent professionals in our field.

IPTI offers integrated clinical and theoretical training in infant mental health, with an emphasis on the early relationship between infant and parent. We provide training to professionals from multiple disciplines, offering trainees the opportunity to integrate the core concepts of early relational development and intervention into direct care, supervision/consultation, or teaching and policy.

A comprehensive article about the Infant-Parent Training Institute, authored by three members of the faculty, was recently published in the Zero to Three journal's issue on "Developing a Competent Workforce." Zero to Three is the preeminent national journal in the field of infant and toddler development so we were honored when staff from the journal approached us last winter to request an article about IPTI for this special issue.

IPTI has completed three two-year fellowships and is now full to capacity for our fourth. In addition we have taught our Infant Observation course every year; this year there are four classes, three in Greater Boston and one in Rhode Island. Through our biannual Master Classes, more than 800 professionals have crossed our threshold and are reaping the rewards of excellence in training.

Peggy KaufmanPeggy H. Kaufman, MEd, LICSW is the founding director of the JF&CS Center for Early Relationship Support. With a background in perinatal emotional health and the growth and development of parents, her interests include the earliest relationships. Ms. Kaufman is the recipient of multiple awards for her groundbreaking programs and her commitment to increase awareness of postpartum depression and maternal mental health.