Structuring and Supporting the Mental Health Consultant–Staff Relationship

In a national study of MHC in Head Start programs, researchers found that the single most important factor related to positive consultation outcomes was the quality of relationships between consultants, staff, and families. These relationships were even more important than how much consultation was provided or the frequency of consultation services. As administrator, you can build the foundation for these relationships by:

• Hiring a consultant with the characteristics, competencies, and approach to service delivery that best fit the needs of your program (see Tutorial 3 on the CECMHC website)
• Making sure that the formal contracting or hiring arrangements include a clear statement of key activities and lines of communication that support positive, collaborative relationships

Some programs hire mental health consultants through subcontracts (either with individuals or with other organizations). Other programs hire mental health consultants directly as program staff. Regardless of which approach you use, ensure that there is a detailed contract or job description that includes the types of services and activities you expect the mental health consultant to provide, and the amount of time you expect from the consultant. By specifying different kinds of activities, you set the stage for how staff and families will interact with the consultant (and vice versa). Including these in the job description or contract is important; however, once you hire the consultant, you will want to create opportunities to discuss these collaboratively with the consultant.

Consider these activities that can support collaborative and positive staff–consultant relationships:

• Have the mental health consultant provide regular formal training to staff.
• Build in regular (at least monthly) time in each classroom.
• Build in time for the mental health consultant to attend staff and family meetings.
• Allow staff to have email or other access so that they can contact the mental health consultant directly with questions or concerns.
• Emphasize in the contract that the consultant should spend most of their time on staff and program-level consultation. Consultation is not pullout activities or direct therapy.
• Consider having the mental health consultant lead staff wellness activities, such as a staff support group.
• Involve your consultant in the development and maintenance of the mental health strategic plan.
• Consider these activities that can facilitate family–consultant relationships:
  • Have your consultant schedule time in the classrooms during drop-off and pickup.
  • Have your consultant give a presentation at a Policy Council or family event.
  • Have your consultant facilitate group-based family services related to early childhood mental health (family-infant attachment groups, family education groups, etc.).
  • Have your consultant write articles for your program newsletter about supporting positive mental health and well-being — make sure they sign their name to these contributions.
  • Have your consultant available to go on home visits with staff to facilitate consistency in how families and staff work with children.

It is equally important that staff and families understand who the consultant is and how they should work with the consultant. For families, ask the mental health consultant to write a generic letter of introduction describing themself and their role in the program. Make sure the letter is informal and consistent with the program’s vision for mental health services. You may want to co-sign this letter with the mental health consultant.

Work with your program supervisors and managers to make sure that staff understand the role of the consultant and the expectations for partnership that are part of the consultative process. Staff should also understand and be comfortable with the activities that the consultant will engage in and know what the parameters are for direct access to the consultant for questions or concerns. Tutorial 2: Defining Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and the Consultant Role, available on the CECMHC website, contains information about the consultant role and process.

Last Updated: August 6, 2025