Early Childhood
Social-Emotional Supports
Program Description
HomeSafe’s Early Childhood Social-Emotional Supports program helps young children, families, and educators build the strong social-emotional foundations necessary for healthy development and long-term success. Through a comprehensive, relationship-centered approach, the program provides trauma-informed support within early learning environments from Boynton Beach to the Glades communities.
HomeSafe’s multidisciplinary team includes Early Childhood Mental Health Counselors, Behavioral Support Coaches, and Family Engagement Specialists who work collaboratively with children, caregivers, and educators through a tiered system of support.
The program emphasizes collaboration and consistency across the child’s support system by engaging families, educators, and service providers in shared planning and intervention strategies. Through strong partnerships with child care centers and the Early Learning Coalition, HomeSafe helps create nurturing, trauma-informed environments that promote emotional wellness, strengthen caregiver relationships, and improve school readiness.
Services are offered in English, Spanish, Creole, and additional languages through interpretation support to ensure accessibility for the diverse families and educators served throughout our service area.
Serving children from infancy through age six, the program integrates evidence-based frameworks including Circle of Security and Conscious Discipline to strengthen secure attachments, improve emotional regulation, and support healthy behaviors both at home and in the classroom. Services are designed to address social-emotional challenges early while equipping parents and educators with the tools, strategies, and support needed to help children thrive.
- Social-emotional screenings and classroom observations
- Trauma-informed classroom consultation and behavioral support
- Educator training in Conscious Discipline, Circle of Security, and behavior management strategies
- Social-emotional skill-building groups for children
- Therapeutic play-based interventions, including Play Therapy and sand tray activities
- Individualized behavioral support planning and care coordination
- Referrals and navigation support for developmental, mental health, and community-based services
- Family engagement and ongoing support in the family’s preferred language
What services does ECSES provide?
The Early Childhood Social-Emotional Supports (ECSES) program provides social-emotional support and self-regulation coaching to educators, childcare centers, and family childcare homes working with children ages 0–5 in childcare programs throughout Palm Beach County.
Through classroom observations, individual child observations, and teacher consultations, ECSES coaches help educators strengthen classroom management practices and develop strategies that support children’s social-emotional growth and self-regulation skills.
How can a childcare program request ECSES support? Does ECSES support family childcare homes?
Childcare programs can request ECSES support through the application process in the WELS Database system. ECSES serves all childcare program types, including center-based programs, family childcare homes, and programs receiving Early Learning Coalition (ELC) funding and School Readiness scholarships.
What makes HomeSafe’s ECSES program different from other social-emotional and behavioral support programs?
ECSES utilizes the Conscious Discipline approach and Circle of Security framework. The program focuses on building one skill at a time, beginning with the educator’s ability to self-regulate.
ECSES follows a “teacher first, child second” approach, recognizing that when educators strengthen their own social-emotional skills, they are better equipped to support children’s development. This creates a positive ripple effect throughout the classroom environment.
How does ECSES coaching work?
The coaching process begins with four classroom observations and a teacher consultation. These initial steps help identify specific areas of need and establish goals based on the educator’s perspective and classroom dynamics.
Coaches then provide ongoing feedback, goal-setting support, resources, and strategies to strengthen social-emotional practices and improve classroom management. The coaching process is collaborative and individualized to meet each educator’s needs.
How long does the program last?
ECSES is an ongoing support program. The length of services depends on the needs of the center, educator and classroom. The primary goal is to ensure educators have developed and mastered the skills necessary to effectively support their students and maintain a positive classroom environment.
What topics can ECSES help teachers address?
Coaches can help educators address a variety of social-emotional and behavioral challenges, including:
- Tantrums
- Crying
- Biting
- Challenging behaviors
- Classroom transitions
- Establishing classroom routines
- Enhancing circle time
- Creating a Safe Place in the classroom
- Teaching children self-calming and self-regulation strategies
Coaches also support educators in implementing Conscious Discipline® skills such as:
- Assertiveness
- Composure
- Encouragement
- Choices
- Empathy
- Positive Intent
- Natural and logical consequences
Referral Process
The referral process for this program is still being developed. If you have questions about the program not covered in the FAQs tab above, please contact Martika Chambers-Smith, LMHC, Director of Social Emotional Supports (561) 383-9800 x1406