Connected Beginnings is an infant and early childhood mental health training institute that promotes awareness of the central importance of relationships in the lives of infants and young children. Our work extends the capacity of infant and early childhood practitioners and programs to understand and apply current knowledge of the effects of relationships on very young children’s social and emotional well being, evolving brain architecture, and capacity to learn. Connected Beginnings is an initiative of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley.