DETROIT – Karol Wilson, LMSW, IMH-E® (Infant Mental Health Mentor/Clinician) and a Wayne State University alumna with a master’s degree in social work and a graduate certificate in infant mental health, was awarded the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from the national organization Zero to Three. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have made major contributions of national or international significance to improving the lives of infants, toddlers and their families through research, practice, teaching or advocacy.

The mission of Zero to Three is to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life by ensuring that society has the knowledge and will to support all infants and toddlers in reaching their full potential. By supporting the caring adults who touch the lives of infants and toddlers, Zero to Three hopes to maximize the long-term impact in ensuring all infants and toddlers have a bright future.

Among many reasons, Zero to Three described Wilson, a longtime clinician, teacher and advocate in the Metro Detroit community, as a professional who has significantly advanced the field of infant and early childhood mental health and whose dedication and passion have left an indelible mark on the community.

“It is an honor to be recognized for doing something that I feel so passionate about and love,” said Wilson. “There are many people who can join me in this recognition. So many of my colleagues are champions for babies. This is humbling and I am so grateful. I am a reflective supervision consultant. I retired from a community mental health organization. I have provided consultation to groups both inside and outside of Michigan. I’ve written or co-written several articles and recently co-edited a book with Dr. Carla Barron, assistant professor (research) at the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute at Wayne State University, Honoring Voices Within Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health: Relationship-Based Stories from the Field.”

Wilson’s work is focused on the idea that every caregiver and family deserve to be supported within the context of their family, community and environment. Wilson said that infant mental health is crucial because 80% of a baby’s brain develops within the first three years.

“A baby needs a caregiver, and that caregiver needs to be supported, validated, and given access to resources,” Wilson said. “Because parents may have their own negative experiences or trauma, or because they have a lack of resources, parenting can be challenging, and we want to make sure there are opportunities to make it possible for them to address these challenges and meet the needs of their young child. We’re also looking at race, equity, belonging and inclusion to make sure we are honoring all aspects of the baby, the caregiver and their environment.”

“Through her work as a direct service provider, home visitor, community mental health supervisor, instructor, trainer, and reflective consultant, Karol has touched countless lives and has promoted secure and brave relationships within families, classrooms, programs, and organizations,” said Alissa Huth-Bocks, Ph.D., director of Wayne State’s Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute. “Karol has been a trailblazer within the infant mental health field in Michigan and nationally — with a strong and dedicated stance toward racial equity and inclusion.”

“This recognition from Zero to Three is a great honor for Karol,” said Ezemenari M. Obasi, Ph.D., vice president for research & innovation at Wayne State University. “Her important work has left an indelible mark on children and families in our community and is advancing the field of infant and early childhood mental health in Detroit and beyond. We are very fortunate to have her support and partnership in the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute.”

Wilson received the award at Zero to Three’s annual conference held in Long Beach, CA July 31 – August 1, 2024.

# # #

About Wayne State University

Wayne State University is one of the nation’s pre-eminent public research universities in an urban setting. Through its multidisciplinary approach to research and education, and its ongoing collaboration with government, industry and other institutions, the university seeks to enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life in the city of Detroit, state of Michigan and throughout the world. For more information about research at Wayne State University, visit research.wayne.edu.

Wayne State University’s research efforts are dedicated to a prosperity agenda that betters the lives of our students, supports our faculty in pushing the boundaries of knowledge and innovation further, and strengthens the bonds that interconnect Wayne State and our community. To learn more about Wayne State University’s prosperity agenda, visit president.wayne.edu/prosperity-agenda.