As part of our monthly series, we’re introducing team members from the Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health. In each feature, you’ll learn more about their interests, the projects they support, and the work they’re leading across TIEMH.
This month, we’re spotlighting Jenny Baldwin. Jenny serves as a Senior Administrative Program Coordinator for the Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health, supporting projects in early childhood. Jenny has worked with various agencies serving vulnerable populations since 2005.
Jenny has over 15 years of experience working in direct care in community-based organizations, supporting families with young children, families of children with special healthcare needs, survivors of human trafficking, refugee families, and at-risk youth in Texas and abroad.
Let’s dive into Jenny’s interview:
What projects do you work on?
I co-lead the early childhood projects at TIEMH, including all infant and early childhood mental health consultation projects, Project LAUNCH, and the Preschool Development Grant Birth through 5.
What do you enjoy about working at TIEMH?
I love getting to highlight the needs and supports in the early childhood mental health space. Often, early childhood mental health is overlooked in larger systems. However, research tells us that addressing concerns early in life yields long-term benefits for the child, such as improving child development and well-being. Because early intervention can prevent the need to tertiary interventions later on, it can also have a high return on investment. It has been amazing to work with our partners at both state agencies and with community-based organizations to support programs for young children. One of these projects has been to build a statewide program for infant and early childhood mental health consultation. I’m excited to say that we now have a state program manual, a preliminary evaluation of impact, and a cadre of public awareness materials.
What are you currently reading, watching, or listening to?
I am a big reader and I love historical fiction, and I’m currently reading The Midwife of Berlin by Anna Stuart. It’s set in 1961 in Berlin and is about a family are separated and are trying to find each other as the Berlin wall goes up. My son and I love podcasts, and we have been listening to Against the Odds together recently. I’m also watching the final season of Outlander, one of my favorite series of all time (both the books and the show)!
What’s something you enjoy in spring?
One thing I’m enjoying this spring is the UT women’s basketball team! My family has already gotten to see them twice. That team is just amazing! Go Horns!
Thanks for sharing, Jenny!
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