Families | Charis Wahman

First Responder Project

Based on outcomes from Wahman et al. (2022) and preliminary outcomes from a parallel study conducted with twenty-one families whose children were suspended or expelled from a preschool setting (Wahman et al., in preparation), we have launched a project that meets families' requests for greater intervention access. We work in tandem with childcare centers to employ responsive systems of support for children who need an individualized approach to their social and emotional learning and development.

We provide effective instruction using evidence-based practices, increased learning opportunities and practice for children, families, and teachers. Specifically, as first responders, we aim to be your first point of contact to help you navigate keeping your child enrolled in childcare by accessing intervention supports for your child, and training & coaching for your child’s teacher. Our goal is to minimize the harm that can be done to families when a child is removed from a childcare setting due to behavioral concerns and increase targeted intervention supports for all stakeholders involved.

The following questions can help you decide if you may benefit from our FREE services:

Are you the caregiver of a preschooler with a behavioral concern who is enrolled in a childcare center?
Are you unsure of how to help your child?
Has your child been removed from the classroom, asked to stay home for a few days, take a break from the center, or find another center to attend?
Does your child’s center contact you at least 1-2 times a week about a behavior your child demonstrates they feel they cannot handle?
Do you feel your child could benefit from intervention supports that would address their social and emotional growth and development?
Do you feel your child’s teacher or center staff could benefit from intervention supports focused on social and emotional learning?

If you have responded “yes” to any of the above questions, please email us at wahmanch@msu.edu. We will respond to your request for help within 48 hours.