DCAEYC to Host Virtual Conversation on Challenging Behavior and Adult Capacity

On September 10, DCAEYC will bring together early childhood education professionals for a virtual conversation examining a question that can fundamentally shape how programs respond to challenging behavior: What happens when the focus moves beyond changing the child and toward strengthening the capacity of the adults supporting them?

Why the Child Is Not the Problem: Building Adult Capacity to Respond to Challenging Behavior will feature Dr. Neal Horen and Shai Idelson of Georgetown University’s Thrive Center for Children, Families, and Communities. The session will focus on infant and early childhood mental health consultation, commonly known as IECMHC, and the role it can play in strengthening professional practice, supporting educators, and improving experiences for young children.

Responses to challenging behavior frequently center on the child. Programs may develop an individualized plan, introduce new interventions, or focus on modifying a child’s behavior.

That approach, however, does not always address the knowledge, confidence, and support available to the educators responsible for implementing those strategies every day.

During the September 10 session, Horen and Idelson will discuss what programs are reporting about challenging behaviors and examine approaches that support both children and the professionals working with them. Participants will learn more about what IECMHC is, the outcomes associated with consultation, and how strengthening adult capacity can influence the way challenging situations are understood and addressed within early learning environments.

The conversation will also introduce the work of Georgetown University’s national Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation. The Center works with states, tribes, territories, communities, and programs to strengthen systems and build consultation capacity.

The speakers will discuss how programs can develop consultant-level knowledge and skills among existing staff, an important consideration for organizations that may not have funding available for a dedicated mental health consultant.

About the Speakers

Dr. Neal Horen is a clinical psychologist who has focused on early childhood mental health for 20 years. He holds the Phyllis R. Magrab Endowed Chair at Georgetown University’s Thrive Center for Children, Families, and Communities and serves as Director of the Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation.

He has worked with all 50 states, as well as tribes, territories, and communities, to develop systems of care for young children and their families. He also co-directs the Head Start National Center on Health, Behavioral Health and Safety and leads Georgetown’s Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate programs.

Shai Idelson is a healthcare and technology entrepreneur who co-leads the Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and serves as Innovation Director at Georgetown University’s Thrive Center.

He previously built and launched Fort Health, a pediatric mental health company focused on integrating behavioral health into primary care. His earlier work included developing new products and services with major organizations, including work related to teen mental health that led him into the healthcare field.

Event Details

Why the Child Is Not the Problem: Building Adult Capacity to Respond to Challenging Behavior

September 10, 2026

1:30 PM to 2:30 PM ET

Virtual via Zoom

Members only

Register here: https://shorturl.at/PHzxN

Early childhood education professionals, program leaders, and others interested in strengthening responses to challenging behavior are encouraged to participate. Become a DCAEYC member: https://www.dcaeyc.org/become-a-member