Latasha Lee, Ms, I/Ecmh-C, Dt, Clc Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

Illinois, United States

Completes initial and annual global evaluations for children ages 0-3 to determine eligibility and current levels of functioning for the state of Illinois early intervention program.• Gather current medical, therapeutic, and developmental information to perform a complete assessment of the child’s current level of functioning and arrange into a written legal report.• Maintain and communicate effectively with parents, service coordinators, monitors, interdisciplinary team members, school district personnel and medical providers.• Develop functional levels and age-appropriate curriculum-based activities for parents using developmentally appropriate activities and home plans to follow to support social-emotional and overall development.• Specialize in providing therapeutic services to children who are medically fragile, micro-preemies, Autism, Down syndrome, substance and trauma exposure, sensory, attachment and developmental disorders/delays.

Managing the Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health portfolio over 3 million among cross-sector partners and vendors. Facilitate local, state, and national leadership collaboration and conversations to eliminate silos and advance equity, access and consultation. • Leading and Advancing the IEMHC portfolio in the Nation-leading State of Illinois using a mixed- delivery system.• Building Capacity within systems, vendors, consultants, and programs.• Supported the finalization and dissemination of the IECMHC Systems Guide and Needs Assessment.• Actively leading the launch of the statewide IECMHC public awareness campaign.• Facilitate state and national leadership conversations to advance policies within IECMH, Early Childhood Education and Care, Racial equity, and many other priorities.• Improving equity and access by listening/connecting to the field, assessing needs and Strategic planning.• Convene, staff, and participate in IECMHC Leadership Team, Quarterly Consultant, Early Learning Council, Pyramid model State Leadership Team, PN3 Coalition, Raising Illinois, Health and Home Visiting and other valuable collaborations. • Partner with state agencies including Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Head Start Association, Illinois Health and Family Services, City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, vendors, private and community partners to support efforts to expand IECMHC in their programs serving young children and families and expand collaboration and alignment.

Oak Lawn, Illinois, United States

Have trained over 200+ Pediatric Residents and medical students.•Delivered enhanced developmentally oriented primary care for clients, using Bright Futures.•Provided direct observation, teaching, evaluation and culturally diverse training to pediatric residents, medical students, and clinic staff.•Completed formal evaluations and one-on-one training with Pediatric residents.•Coordinated and executed the effective use of developmental, postpartum, trauma and social determinants of health screenings in the pediatric clinic.•Coordinated establishing, ordering, funding, and overall support for national Reach Out and Read programs. •Developed nurturing, trusting and ongoing relationships with over 2000 unique children and families annually. •Served as liaison between Pediatric clinic, Early Intervention, Head Start, School districts and other Community programs/resources. Assisted families in understanding newborn care, lactation support, child development, behavioral issues, toilet training, trauma-informed care, feeding issues, discipline, and parent-child relationship.•Prepared and delivered training and implemented lectures and presentations for residents, clinic staff and other Attending Physicians.•Scheduled, planned, and facilitated home, day care and community visits with Pediatric residents, children, and their families within the Chicagoland area. •Participated in a variety of research, CQI, QI and other evidence-based projects.•Committee member for National Child and Family Policy Center issues related to health equity and young children, Medicaid financing, developmental and family-centered services. •National presenter at Zero to Three National Training Institute and Annual Conference•Participated in 3 workgroups for the Illinois PN3 Coalition (Raising Illinois) to develop a policy agenda for Racial Equity to ensure a strong start to life with the appropriate resources and support.

Increased the impact of the national office and sites by strengthening the relationships as a direct liaison.• Identified needs from the field to develop support and enhanced criteria from national office.• Reviewed and piloted webinars, fidelity measures and other information to advance the program.• Communicated with new sites, funders and others about the program.

Provided, tracked, and monitored DCFS wards in Cook and 17 Northern counties of Illinois ages birth to five to ensure they received Developmental screenings, were in appropriate programs.• Designed and implemented a new program/position for the Northern region through educating and collaborating with school districts, foster care agencies, parents and staff.• Assisted in the pilot/development of the Strengthening Families program through Early Care and Education National Initiative to prevent child abuse/neglect with daycare centers. • Participated in the pilot of the Integrated Assessment project and performed social interviews and clinical assessments and recommended services for the child and family.• Provided developmental screenings for children ages 0-5 placed in foster care.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Planned and implemented therapeutic, diversional, and educational activities for hospitalized children. Presented monthly outpatient medical play clinics for children. Maintained a positive and supportive relationship with children and their families. Planned and coordinated special events and holiday appearances for toy and clothes giveaways to patients.

Infant And Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement, Infant And Early Childhood Mental Health

Endorsement in Infant Mental Health

Infant And Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant-- Credential, Infant And Early Childhood Mental Health

Understanding infant mental health competencies and expanding reflective practice.

Master Of Science In Child Development With Infant Specialization, Child Development And Family Studies

Bachelor Of Science, Child Development And Family Studies Specializing In Child Health/Child Life

Activities and Societies: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, Child Life/Health Association, Minority Students Chapter President.

Certified Lactation Counselor, Lactation Counselor