SARAH RYAN MARTINEZ
Joliet,IL
Overview
1
1
Certification
43
43
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate School in Child Development
Erikson Institute
- Senior Instructor, Current
- Member of faculty of the Erikson Institute, premier graduate school in child development.
- Director, Master of Science Early Childhood Education/Early Intervention Program, Current
- Developed program plan and designed curriculum to enhance educational offerings.
- Hired and trained adjunct faculty
- Responsibility for program administration, teaching, curriculum development, hiring and supervision of adjunct faculty, reflective supervision program development and evaluation.
- Administered program operations, assessed performance, and created program learning objectives, curriculum mapping, and rubric measurements for student attainment of course objectives.
- Recruitment of students, responsible for admission decisions, and scholarship interviews
- Administered program operations, taught courses, developed curriculum, hired and supervised adjunct faculty, and developed and evaluated the reflective supervision program.
- Managed transition of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate Program to fully online format, improving access for students.
- Oversaw grant from the Governor's Office of Early Childhood to enhance early childhood education services.
- Assistant Director Infant Studies Program, 2013-2023
- Managed program operations and designed a new online program for students pursuing a master's degree in infancy with an emphasis on infant mental health.
- Oversight of program evaluation and compliance with institute policies.
- Support creation of new master's degree program in infant mental health informed early intervention.
- Field Educator Infant Mental Health Certificate Program, 2015-2016
- Supervise postgraduate certificate students in their field placements
- Adjunct Faculty, Erikson Institute, 2014-2018
- Instructor for graduate level courses in Intervention and Prevention methods and Assessment for students in Infant Studies specialization Seminar leader for students in the Infant Mental Health Certificate Program
Lead Trainer
Fussy Baby Network of The Erikson Institute
01.2013 - Current
- Delivered ongoing training on FAN (Facilitating Attuned Interactions) method to Family Support Workers in Healthy Family programs statewide, enhancing their intervention skills.
- Co-developed curriculum for FAN approach, improving support strategies for infants and their parents.
- Mentored emerging trainers, fostering their development and proficiency in teaching the FAN method.
Social Emotional Specialist
Child and Family Connections of DuPage County PACT, Inc.
01.2004 - 01.2014
- Trained service coordinators and early intervention providers on infant mental health theories, relationship-based practices, reflective practices, and early social emotional development, enhancing their skills in parent-child relationships.
- Provide clinical consultation and reflective supervision for service coordinators, CFC managers, and therapists from a variety of disciplines individually and in groups.
- Train service coordinators in the implementation and interpretation of the Ages and Stages SE, social emotional screening tool for use with infants and young children.
- Supported CFC staff and providers in developing and sustaining relationship-based reflective orientation in family interactions.
Infant Mental Health Consultant
Will County Health Department Healthy Families Program
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Consulted with Family Support Workers to enhance support for teen mothers and their children.
- Facilitated educational workshops focused on Infant Mental Health to improve caregiver support.
- Collaborated with The Fussy Baby Network of the Erikson Institute to strengthen community resources for infant mental health.
Consultant
Praxis, Inc
01.2010 - 01.2010
- Consulted on the creation of an online course on infant mental health for early intervention professionals in the state of Massachusetts.
Director, Parent Infant Program
Little Friends, Inc.
01.2000 - 01.2004
- Supervised staff and graduate students in clinical settings, providing ongoing training related to infancy and early childhood clinical work.
- Maintained a small caseload of infant-parent psychotherapy clients and conducted evaluations of behavioral and emotional functioning with children exhibiting attachment, relational, or behavioral challenges.
- Conducted ongoing program assessment, strategic planning, and quality enhancement initiatives.
- Managed the budget, networked with other agencies and the state early intervention system, hired staff, and oversaw day-to-day functioning of the program.
Infant-Parent Psychotherapy
Private Practice
01.1998 - 01.2000
- Contracted with state early intervention system to provide services.
- Delivered direct services to children aged birth to three and their families, fostering developmental growth and emotional well-being.
- Conducted eligibility determinations for early intervention services, performed diagnostic evaluations of behavioral and emotional functioning, assessed parent-child relationships, provided behavioral therapy and infant-parent psychotherapy, and collaborated with other professionals to ensure comprehensive care.
Infant Development Specialist
La Rabida Children's Hospital
01.1990 - 01.2000
- Responsible for evaluation, individual, group, and dyadic treatment for in- and outpatient population of children aged birth to three years and their families. Patient population included children in foster care, children with development delay, behavioral and emotional challenges, chronic illness, and those who had experienced abuse. Population was multicultural and of varying socio-economic status.
- Conducted evaluations for infants and toddlers at the Diagnostic Clinic and Screening Clinic to identify developmental issues.
- Trained pediatric residents on attachment, emotional development, and parent-child relationships to enhance their clinical skills.
- Member of La Rabida speakers bureau.
- Supervised graduate students.
- Consulted and trained programs serving infants and young children on assessment and development to improve service delivery and outcomes.
Adjunct Faculty
University of Illinois at Chicago
01.1996 - 01.1997
- Taught graduate level courses in the department of education, division of early childhood special education.
- Collaborated with colleagues to teach characteristics of infants and young children with special needs in a structured classroom setting.
- Independently instructed a course on intervention methods for infants and young children with special needs, utilizing various teaching strategies.
Teaching Associate
University of Illinois at Chicago, Early Childhood Research and Intervention Program
01.1986 - 01.1989
- Contributed to a transdisciplinary team for a national research program serving at-risk infants and young children with special needs.
- Conducted assessments and planned programs for center-based intervention and home visiting.
- Managed a federally funded research grant that examined the effects of intervention facilitated by computer technology on early learning.
Teacher
Northwest Suburban Special Education Association
01.1985 - 01.1986
- Classroom teacher for children ages 6-8 years in program for children with developmental disabilities.
- Supervised teaching assistant and coordinated therapy services in an integrated therapy model.
Teacher/Infant Program Coordinator
United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago
01.1984 - 01.1985
- Classroom teacher for children ages 3-9 years with severe developmental disabilities.
- Coordinator of early intervention services.
- Developed staff training programs and evaluated program effectiveness.
Education
Master of Arts - Clinical Psychology
Illinois School of Professional Psychology
Master of Education - Early Childhood Special Education
University of Illinois
Bachelor of Science - Special Education
Vanderbilt University
Certification
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Credentialed in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health through the Illinois Association for Infant Mental Health, Previously credentialed under psychology and other counseling and Developmental Therapy by state of Illinois Early Intervention System, Previously credentialed evaluator for state of Illinois Early Intervention System, Certified Lekotek Leader and Compupplay Instructor, Secretary, Board of Directors of Illinois Association for Infant Mental Health, 2000-2012, 2018-2022, President Illinois Association for Infant Mental Health 2015-2016, Clinical Validity Examiner for standardization sample of The Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition., Registered Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator, Certified Trainer: Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood: DC 0-5.
PUBLICATIONS
- What are the Phases of a Reflective Supervision Meeting? T. Atchley, S. Hall, S. Martinez and L. Gilkerson in A Practical Guide to Reflective Supervision, L. Gilkerson and S. Heller eds Zero to Three Press 2009.
- Acquisition of Services Recommended by a Multidisciplinary Medical Diagnostic Team for Children Under Three Years of Age Evaluated for Development Delays N. Roizen, M. Shalowitz, K. Komie, S. Martinez, L. Miller, and S. Davis, in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 17, No. 6, December 1996.
- Development and Growth Problems in Children Exposed to Cocaine in Utero, N. Roizen, K. Komie, S. Martinez, L. Miller, in Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, 150, April 1996.
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
- Invited Panelist irving Harris Professional Development Network Convening Reimagining the Child Welfare System 2026
- Division of Early Childhood, Portland, Oregon Reflective Support for Early Intervention Providers Attuned and Intentional 2025.
- Invited Keynote DuPage County Early Childhood Mental Health Providers Conference 2025
- Panelist Educare 25 Year Celebration The Impact of the Educare Program on the Field of Early Childhood 2025
- Introduction to Infant Mental Health Presentation for NAMI conference, October 2024.
- Integrating Infant Mental Health into Part C Early Intervention: The Role of Reflective Practice Division for Early Childhood International Conference September 2024.
- Panelist for Early Childhood Development Symposium Charting a Path Forward, Jewish Child and Family Services May 2024.
- Foundations of Infant Mental Health for Early Childhood Educators Presentation for IAEYC December 2023
- Introduction to Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, Quarterly presentations for Illinois Mental Health Consultation Initiative, 2019-2022.
- The Role of Attachment in Development, Quarterly presentations for Illinois Mental Health Consultation Initiative, 2019-2022
- Development Through the Lens of Attachment, Presentation for Baby Talk, Inc. February 2020.
- Supporting the Parallel Process of Workforce Wellbeing and Family Resilience MIECHV State, Territory and Tribal All Grantee Meeting, Baltimore, MD. March 2019
- Self-Care, It’s More than Bubble Baths and Chocolate, Empowering Professionals Conference, Palos Park, IL March 2019
- Division for Early Childhood Conference, The FAN approach to working with Families, Louisville, KY, October 2016
- FAN Core Training for State of Massachusetts Healthy Families Home Visitors, Worthington, MA, June 2016
- Division for Early Childhood Conference, Attunement as a means for engaging Families, Atlanta, GA, October 2015
- The FAN approach to Engaging Families, Springfield, IL, September 2015
- Attunement as a means of facilitating change: Using the FAN method of intervention with families, Lisle, IL, March 2015
- Staying Present in the Midst of Chaos Using Mindful Self-Regulation Practice ILAIMH Seminar, Chicago, IL, May 2014.
- Facilitation of Parent Panel at Mitochondrial Disorders Conference, Lisle, IL, May 2014.
- Supporting Families through the use of Responsive Intervention Strategies Child and Family Connections Conference, Palos Park, IL, April 2014.
- Core Training on the FAN method of working with Families as part of the Fussy Baby Network collaboration with Healthy Families Illinois Multiple trainings in April, May, and June of 2013 with follow up ongoing trainings throughout 2013.
- Understanding Attachment Joliet, IL, December 2012.
- Why Isn’t this Kid Getting Better? Recognizing the importance of addressing the attachment relationship in treating developmental delay in the early years, Villa Park, IL, October 2012.
- Postpartum Depression Recognizing the signs and treatment approaches Joliet, IL, October 2012.
- Infant Mental Health Approaches to Early Intervention, Tinley Park, IL, June 2011.
- Facilitator Parent Panel in Raising Children with Fragile X, Naperville, IL, May 2011.
- Working through Challenging Situations with Families: Partnering with parents to help children have the best outcomes, Lisle, IL, March 2011.
- Implementing Relationship Based Strategies with Children and Families, Lisle, IL, January 2011.
- Working through Challenging Situations with Families: Partnering with parents to help children have the best outcomes, Villa Park, IL, December 2010.
- Typical Development Children 6-24 months, Lisle, IL, March 2010.
- Enhancing your work with young children and their families: relationship-based approach to intervention, Indianapolis, IN, March 2010.
- Typical Development Toddlers 16-24 months, Lisle, IL, March 2010.
- Reflecting your Thoughts on Unconventional Parenting Practices, Geneva IL, January 2010.
- Typical Development Infants 0-15 months, Lombard, IL, September 2009.
- Keynote Address Implementing Relationship Based Strategies with Infants and Families in Early Intervention and Workshops, Reflective Practice in Supervisory roles, Working with Children in Foster Care, and Staff Support and Stabilization a Reflective Relationship Based approach presented at the State of Florida Early Intervention Annual Convention, May 2009.
- Typical Development Infants 0-9 months, Lombard, IL, May 2009.
- The Role of Attachment in Development Workshop presented for the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership, Springfield, IL, October 2008.
- Application of attachment theory and infant mental health principles in therapeutic intervention, Downers Grove, IL, April 2008.
- Relationship Based Therapy in Early Intervention, Lombard, IL, February, 2008.
- Professional Boundaries, Lombard, IL, January 2008
- Best Practices in Assessment and Evaluation, Rockford, IL, November 2007.
- Panel Member, Illinois Association for Infant Mental Health Annual Conference Chicago, IL, October 2007.
- Best Practices in Assessment and Evaluation, Lombard, IL, May 2007.
- Attachment and Infant Mental Health, DuPage Fox Valley Region Easter Seals, Villa Park, IL, April 2007.
- Social Emotional Project in Early Intervention, Prevention First Conference Springfield, IL, March 2007.
- Bringing a Relationship Based Approach to the Early Intervention System, The Young Child with Special Needs Conference Chicago, IL, March 2007.
- Relationship Based Practice in Early Intervention, Villa Park, IL February, 2007.
- Maintaining Professional Boundaries, Lombard, IL, January 2007.
- Relationship Based Practice in Early Intervention, Child and Family Connections, Lombard, IL, September 2006.
- Infant Mental Health in Early Intervention, Child and Family Connections Geneva, IL, September 2006.
- Best Practices in Evaluation and Assessment in Early Intervention, Child and Family Connections, Lombard, IL, August and September 2006.
- Mental Health Services in Early Intervention, Child and Family Connections Lombard, IL, January and March 2006.
- Infant Mental Health Issues and Strategies, Erikson Institute, Naperville, IL, March 2006.
- Infant Mental Health, an Overview, Illinois Resource Center, Elk Grove, IL, January 2006.
- Regulatory Disorders, Child and Family Connections, Lombard, IL, November 2005.
- Working with Children who have Experienced Disrupted Attachment, Child and Family Connections, Lombard, IL, September 2005.
- Relationship Based Practice: What to do and Say When You’re Not Sure What to Do and Say, Child and Family Connections, Lombard, IL, May 2005.
- Social Emotional Development in Infants and Young Children, Child and Family Connections, Lombard, IL, March 2005.
- Ages and Stages Social-Emotional Screening. Ounce of Prevention Fund, Chicago, IL, October 2003.
- Attachment Disorders presentation for Starner Region V, Chicago, IL, July, 2002.
- Infant Mental Health Issues for home visitors presentation for the Ounce of Prevention Fund, Springfield, IL, July 2002.
- An Overview of Infant Mental Health, Presentation for State of Illinois Block Grant, Mt. Vernon, IL, April 2002.
- Infant Mental Health: Understanding and supporting the emotional needs of young children, Focus Conference, Kankakee, IL, March 2002.
- An Overview of Infant Mental Health presentation for State of Illinois Block Grant, Collinsville, IL, December 2001.
- "Helping children who have experienced disrupted attachment relationships: Theory and practice. Presented for the Illinois Association of Infant Mental Health Seminar Series, February 2001.
- "Understanding the implications of disrupted attachment relationships for children in early childhood classrooms" Presented to Early childhood school nurses of the Chicago Board of Education, May 2000.
- "Cocaine exposed infants, The experience of the Zero to Three Diagnostic Clinic" Presented at annual Symposium of LaRabida Children’s Hospital Chicago, IL April 2000.
- "Promoting Attachment in Children in Foster Care" Presented at annual Symposium of La Rabida Children’s Hospital, Chicago, IL, April 2000.
- "Facilitating relationships with children who have experienced disrupted attachments" Presented at annual conference of the Chicago Area Families for Adoption Conference, Lisle, IL March 1999.
- "Attachment theory and implications for practice" Presented to Chicago Perinatal Social Workers Association, Chicago, IL Sept. 1998.
- "Multidisciplinary group intervention for foster children with disrupted attachment relationships" Presented at annual conference sponsored by La Rabida Children’s Hospital, Chicago, IL March 1998.
- "Foster parenting drug exposed infants" Workshops sponsored by Central Baptist Family Services, Chicago, IL October 1997.
- "Integration of children with special needs into day care" Seminar presented for The Center for New Horizons, Chicago, IL September 1997.
- "Typical development and warning signs." Presented to the Local Interagency Council, Chicago, IL February 1996.
- "The role of the parent-child relationship in facilitating the emotional development of infants and toddlers." Seminar presented to the Chicago Department of Health, Chicago, IL June 1995.
- "Emotional functioning of children prenatally exposed to drugs." Workshop for the Illinois Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, Joliet, IL May 1995.
- "Interdisciplinary collaboration in early intervention." Workshop presented at the sixth annual developmental and behavioral pediatrics spring conference Southern Illinois School of Medicine, Springfield, IL May 1995.
- "Using developmental screening in a pediatric clinic." Seminar for Chicago Department of Health, Chicago, IL November 1994.
- "Parent-child relationships and their impact on children’s emotional development" Seminar for the Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, Willowbrook, September 1994.
- "Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder: Effects on the Family System." Jayne Shove Easter Seals, Elgin, IL July 1994.
- "Infant and toddler emotional development." Seminar for the Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, Oakbrook, IL April 1994.
- "Facilitating infant and toddler development through enhancing the parent-child relationship" Seminar for the Chicago Department of Health, Chicago, IL April 1994.
- "In the wake of family stress, can we ignore the emotional undertow?" Annual conference of the Chicago area perinatal network, Park Ridge, IL November 1993.
- "Cognitive development in infants and young children." Health and Issues in Premature Children Conference, Chicago, IL May 1992.
- "The Multidisciplinary team approach to the assessment of infants and young children." Annual conference of the Chicago Association for the Education of Young Children, Chicago, IL November 1991.
- "Models for the clinical interpretation of individual subject learning data." Symposium presented at the sixth international conference of infant studies, Society for Research in Child Development, Washington, DC, April 1988.
- "Contingency intervention impact on families with handicapped children" State of Illinois Families First Conference, Springfield, IL September 1987.
Timeline
Lead Trainer
Fussy Baby Network of The Erikson Institute
01.2013 - Current
Infant Mental Health Consultant
Will County Health Department Healthy Families Program
01.2012 - 01.2013
Consultant
Praxis, Inc
01.2010 - 01.2010
Social Emotional Specialist
Child and Family Connections of DuPage County PACT, Inc.
01.2004 - 01.2014
Director, Parent Infant Program
Little Friends, Inc.
01.2000 - 01.2004
Infant-Parent Psychotherapy
Private Practice
01.1998 - 01.2000
Adjunct Faculty
University of Illinois at Chicago
01.1996 - 01.1997
Infant Development Specialist
La Rabida Children's Hospital
01.1990 - 01.2000
Teaching Associate
University of Illinois at Chicago, Early Childhood Research and Intervention Program
01.1986 - 01.1989
Teacher
Northwest Suburban Special Education Association
01.1985 - 01.1986
Teacher/Infant Program Coordinator
United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago
01.1984 - 01.1985
Bachelor of Science - Special Education
Vanderbilt University
Master of Education - Early Childhood Special Education
University of Illinois
Graduate School in Child Development
Erikson Institute
Master of Arts - Clinical Psychology
Illinois School of Professional Psychology