The Early Link - Infant Mental Health & Children's Rights

Join us Sundays at 4:30pm for new episodes of The Early Link Podcast. Listen live at 99.1 FM in the heart of Portland – or online anywhere at PRP.fm

On our newest episode, host Rafael Otto speaks with Dr. Sherri Alderman, a developmental behavioral pediatrician. She is faculty at Portland State University with decades of experience advocating for child rights and deep experience working clinically and on policy in infant mental health.

Children’s Institute · Infant Mental Health & Children’s Rights with Sherri Alderman

Guest:

Dr. Alderman attended the University of Wisconsin medical school, and completed her pediatric residency and Master of Public Health at the University of New Mexico. She is Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council on Early Childhood, the AAP Early Childhood Champion in Oregon, CDC Act Early Ambassador to Oregon. Sherri serves on the Oregon state government advisory council to the Oregon Health Authority Behavioral Health Division and is Past President of the Oregon Infant Mental Health Association.

Summary:

The conversation begins with Dr. Alderman’s perspective on her work in the field of infant mental health, and its implications for young children and their families. She notes what the overall system can do in terms of creating policies to support these individuals. Next, she discusses her advocacy work. In particular, the background, framework, and core principles of the United Nations Conventional on Rights of the Child (CRC).

Since the CRC has not been ratified in the United States, Dr. Alderman notes from where some of the push-back on this policy could be originating, and how the CRC has ultimately helped children in other countries (and could even help Oregon) after ratification.
To close out the segment, Dr. Alderman shares a story about how she helped young children get involved in an election while living in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Additional Resources:

Convention on the Rights of the Child

CRC Status of Ratification Interactive Dashboard

Host:

Rafael Otto, Director of Communications, Children’s Institute

~ Thanks to Children’s Institute, working to ensure that every child in Oregon has the best start in life