LEWISTON – The Maine Association for Infant Mental Health Inc. has announced its 20th annual conference, “Infant Mental Health: What Have We Learned in Two Decades of Practice and Research,” on Friday, May 11, at the Ramada Conference Center.

The conference will feature Michael Trout, MA, director of the Infant-Parent Institute in Champaign, Ill., founding president of the International Association for Infant Mental Health and board member of the Association for Pre- and Peri-natal Psychology and Health.

In addition to publishing a number of book chapters and journal articles and the 2005 book co-authored with a foster/adoptive mother, “The Jonothan Letters,” Trout has produced 15 documentary films used in universities and clinics around the world.

Participants will learn about the advances in developmental neurobiology, prenatal psychology and infant mental health ant their influence in the areas of newborn adoption, birth and newborn care, child abuse and child protection and clinical practice. The latest research regarding non-clinical benevolent influences and their effects on the lives of babies and young children will also be discussed.

A panel representing experts in infant mental health in Maine will respond to the ideas and describe how the research and practice have impacted programs, policy and clinical practice in Maine.

For more information, contact the association at 375-8184 or [email protected]. For information about the association, see www.infantmentalhealth.org. Advance registration is required.