Socio-Emotional Formation Initiative (SEFI)

Learn how to better care for babies and children (as well as yourself) through SEFI training and consultation.

The Socio-Emotional Formation Initiative (SEFI) supports the statewide integration of professional development opportunities aimed at promoting the social and emotional well-being and inclusion of all infants, toddlers and young children with and without developmental, emotional and behavioral difficulties. SEFI, a grant-supported program of the Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health at Montclair State University, approaches this work through the full continuum of promotion, prevention and intervention efforts.

SEFI views professional development as a process of formation, including the following components:

• Ways of Knowing: Education opportunities to better understand important aspects of social, emotional and mental health and well-being of infants, toddlers and young children.
• Ways of Doing: Technical assistance support to implement evidence-based practices to better promote social, emotional and mental health and well-being of infants, toddlers and young children.
• Ways of Being: The integration of understanding, practice and reflective supervision in order to best promote social, emotional and mental health and well-being of infants, toddlers and young children.

SEFI is funded by the State of New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development and collaborates with the Grow NJ Kids program.

SEFI’s Keeping Babies and Children in Mind (KBCM) seven-part workshop series promotes positive development in young children by building the capacity of the multidisciplinary workforce serving infants, toddlers, young children and their families. For more information and to register, visit Training and Conferences.

To request specialized technical assistance in social emotional development and or inclusion in Grow NJ enrolled programs, please email: caecmh@montclair.edu

To request information about implementing the Pyramid Model for supporting social and emotional competence in infants and young children, please visit the New Jersey Pyramid Model Partnership.