Small Steps International (SSI) exists to promote mental health for children and orphans facing trauma and abandonment. One purpose of SSI is to provide Infant Mental Health intervention, play therapy, family therapy counseling and community education to help families heal in the Jemez Valley area.
The second purpose of SSI is to develop long term relationships with at-risk international communities through direct psycho-education of child caregivers. The child caregivers are those that live with children in orphanages and their homes. Between the ages of 0 – 3 the child is developing the neural pathways patterns to learn self-regulation and to connect with others. If the child does not develop the necessary healthy neural pathways patterns they struggle mentally their entire lives. The pivotal age between 0 – 3 and their connections during this time determine their ability to develop self-control, empathy and how they will connect with others the rest of their lives. In extreme cases, the lack of development of empathy and self-control create human beings that can cause damage to others.
If the child is given a chance to develop healthier neural pathway patterns, then the child has the chance to raise their own family in a healthier way. Healthier families create healthier communities and healthier communities create healthier nations. This is the motivation behind the international and rural work of SSI.