About
Endorsing, Educating and Advocating for Nevada’s Children
The Nevada Association for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health promotes the healthy social, intellectual and emotional development of Nevada’s children from birth through age 6.
Our Goal is to embed best practices into the methodology of caring individuals who touch the lives of infants, young children and their families.
Our Vision is for every infant and young child in Nevada to have their social and emotional needs met within the context of family, community, and culture.
Our Purpose is, through the endorsement process, to build and sustain a diverse workforce in support of the social and emotional wellbeing of children and their families.
Our Mission is to provide positive outcomes for infants, young children and their families, regardless of race, socioeconomic background, geography, and ability.
Our Programs
Our association brings a full range of programs to the table—all designed to assist, enhance and elevate the level of care for Nevada’s infants, young children and families. They include:
Endorsement
A verifiable process that recognizes the knowledge and training among mental health professionals within an organized system of learning and work experiences. This program provides a set of competencies for professional development, growth and learning.
Reflective Practice
This program is designed to help mental health professionals identify and process their own internal motivations, thoughts, and behaviors. The goal of reflective supervision is to enhance the practitioner’s personal insights and help them grow their practice.
Training & Technical Assistance
We offer comprehensive training and technical assistance for working professionals covering topics such as child development, attachment, trauma, and the importance of early intervention, among others.
Advocacy
Our association is engaged in advocacy and policy work designed to promote the importance of infant and early childhood mental health and to advocate for policies and programs that support the wellbeing of young children and their families.
Outreach
This includes collaboration and partnerships with entities including pediatricians, early intervention providers, child welfare agencies, early childhood education agencies, community-based behavioral health organizations, policy makers and state agencies, among others.
DEI & Belonging
Our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging training helps promote cultural humility, address systemic inequalities, engage diverse communities, create and sustain an inclusive organizational culture and ensure equitable access to care.
Who We Are
Board of Directors
Krisann Alvarez
Ph.D., IECMH-E®, President
Krisann Alvarez
Ph.D., IECMH-E®, President
Krisann Alvarez is a clinical psychologist specializing in infant-early childhood mental health. Dr. Alvarez has worked with young children and families for over 16 years and has recently transitioned to systems work with the goal of expanding access to high quality, relationship-focused services in Nevada. Originally from Mexico, she has lived in Las Vegas for 43 years.
Jennifer Kellogg
M. Psy., M.Ed., IMH-E®, Secretary
Jennifer Kellogg
M. Psy., M.Ed., IMH-E®, Secretary
Jennifer Kellogg is a Developmental Specialist III and Psychological Development Counselor for Nevada Early Intervention Services in Elko and has worked in early childhood education for 25+ years. With a master’s degree in ECE Special Education and Psychology, a BA in Human Development, and an A.A. in ECE and addiction studies, teaching, coaching, mentoring, and working with children are her passions.
Janice Lee
Ph.D., BCBA, Treasurer
Janice Lee
Ph.D., BCBA, Treasurer
Janice K. Lee is a member of the research faculty at the University of Nevada, Reno in the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities. Her experience includes early childhood, challenging behavior, positive behavior support, social and emotional development, autism and developmental disabilities. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and has worked with children, families, practitioners, and professionals as a teacher, consultant, coach, trainer, and technical assistance provider for over 25 years.
Rhonda M. Lawrence
MA, MFT, Member at Large
Rhonda M. Lawrence
MA, MFT, Member at Large
Rhonda Lawrence has over 22 years of community mental health direct service to children and families, including clinical supervision and program initiation and oversight. Ms. Lawrence currently supports the NV Division of Child and Family Services - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Services programs within clinics in Reno and Las Vegas. Ms. Lawrence is also a “rostered” Child Parent Psychotherapy Provider.
Marty Elquist
Member at Large
Marty Elquist
Member at Large
Marty Elquist works for The Children’s Cabinet as the Supporting Early Education and Development (SEED) Department Director. Ms. Elquist oversees multiple early childhood support programs aimed at improving the quality of programs serving our children and increasing parent and caregiver access to services. Ms. Elquist is dedicated to improving early childhood systems in Nevada including IECMH.
Staff
Jacquelyn Kleinedler
Executive Director
Jacquelyn Kleinedler
Executive Director
Jacquelyn Kleinedler, earned a bachelor degree at the University of Michigan and then moved to Northern Nevada, where she has lived for 24 years. She acquired a Master’s degree from University of Nevada, Reno and is a licensed therapist. She has worked at The Children's Cabinet for 20 years in the areas of advocacy, system development and improvement, and additional direct practice focused on adolescent and family behavioral health.
Tracey Tapiz
Engagement Coordinator
Tracey Tapiz
Engagement Coordinator
Tracey graduated from the University of Nevada Reno with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. She has served as a Program Coordinator for blended preschool programs serving both typically developing children and special needs, as well as on campus afterschool programs in California for over 25 years. Tracey has also served as an early intervention Service Coordinator in Nevada, maintaining multiple child caseloads, as well as developing Individualized Family Service Plans of qualified children. She looks forward to continuing to serve families here in Nevada.
Committees
Membership Committee
Endorsement Committee
Impact
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health associations (IECMH) like ours have a proven, nation-wide track record of improving the social and emotional wellbeing for infants, young children
and their families.
Their impact on communities include:
Increasing community awareness about the importance of early intervention.
Dispelling common myths around infant and childhood mental health.
Providing high-quality, culturally relevant services that meet the needs of all families.
Identifying and addressing systemic barriers to care.
Increasing collaboration and communication among programs and agencies that deliver IECMH programs and services.
Supporting the wellbeing, professional growth, and retention of IECMH providers.
Building and strengthening a network of IECMH programs and services statewide.
Careers
Interested in joining us? These are the positions we have open for the NV-AIECMH team:
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