Endorsement
Credentials

Endorsement® is meant to honor professionals who apply infant & early childhood mental health (IECMH) principles to their practice. It is granted through documentation and verification of the required specialized education, work, in-service training, and reflective supervision/consultation (RS/C experiences. Endorsement® is not a license but an overlay that complements one’s professional license and/or other credentials.

For more information, please send an email to:

info@aimhhi.org
If you have questions about Endorsement® or would like to get started with Endorsement®, please schedule a time with our Endorsement® Coordinator here:
Schedule An Appointment

There are 4 Endorsement® credentials.  Find the right one for you:

Infant Family Associate (IFA)

Scope of Work

For professionals working in the promotion field; serving the social emotional well being of infant and toddlers ages zero to three. (ex: Early Care and Education; Play and Learn Facilitator)

Education/Experience

Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential OR Associate of Arts (AA) Degree OR 2+ years of work Experience in Infant/Early Childhood & Family Field

Requirements

  • 3 References
  • Minimum 30 hours specialize training in Infant Mental Health (0-3)
  • Completion of  Professional Portfolio detailing training and experience in required IFA Competency Areas
Competency Requirements
Requirements
Overview

Infant Family Specialist (IFS)

Scope of Work

For professionals working in the prevention/early intervention field; serving the social emotional well being of infant and toddlers ages zero to three. (ex: Home Visitor/Home Visiting Supervisor; Doula; Early Intervention Provider; NICU Nurse, Parent Educator, Child Welfare worker)

Education/Experience

Bachelors or Masters degree AND 2+ years of work Experience in Infant/Early Childhood & Family Field

Requirements

  • 3 References
  • Minimum 30 hours specialize training in Infant Mental Health (0-3)
  • Completion of  Professional Portfolio detailing training and experience in required IFS Competency Areas
  • 24 hours of Reflective Supervision within 1-2 year period while working with infants, young children and families
Competency Requirements
Requirements
Overview

Infant Mental Health Specialist (IMHS)

Scope of Work

For professionals working in the clinical intervention field; serving the social emotional well being of infant and toddlers ages 0-3. (ex: mental health clinician or supervisor, clinical nurse practitioner, psychologist)

Education/Experience

Masters degree or PhD AND 2+ years of post-Masters work experience in Infant/Early Childhood & Family Field

Requirements

  • 3 References
  • Minimum 30 hours specialize training in Infant Mental Health (0-3)
  • Completion of  Professional Portfolio detailing training and experience in required IMHS Competency Areas
  • 50 hours of Reflective Supervision within 1-2 year period while working with infants, young children and families
  • Exam
Competency Requirements
Requirements
Overview

Infant Mental Health Mentor (IMHM)

Scope of Work

For professionals working in a leadership role serving the social emotional well being of infant and toddlers ages 0-3. (ex: Clinical Supervisor; Early Childhood/Family Systems Leader; Policy/Advocacy professional; Professor; Researcher)

Education/Experience

Masters degree or PhD or MD AND 3+ years of work experience in Infant/Early Childhood & Family Field

Requirements

  • 3 References
  • Minimum 30 hours specialize training in Infant Mental Health (0-3)
  • Completion of  Professional Portfolio detailing training and experience in required IMHM Competency Areas
  • (Clinical applicants only): 50 hours of Reflective Supervision within 1-2 year period while working with infants, young children and families
  • Exam
Competency Requirements
Overview

Endorsement is Good for Babies

Ashley McCormick, LMSW, IECMH-E®
Faith Eidson, LMSW, IECMH-E®

Babies’ early experiences and relationships shape how the brain is built and form the foundation for all future development.  In order to support optimal early relational development, support for professional development initiatives in the infant, young child and family workforce is a crucial strategy.  Providing services to vulnerable babies, young children and their families, particularly those facing chronic adversity, is challenging and requires a unique set of skills.  In order to meet these demands, the workforce must have access to high quality in-service training, educational opportunities and reflective experiences that support their work.  Acquiring and maintaining this level of professional development requires individual commitment and systems engagement.  Recognition for the commitment of infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) informed professionals can be demonstrated by earning the Infant or Early Childhood Mental Health (IMH-E/ECMH-E) Endorsement credential.  Growing evidence indicates that endorsed professionals are better prepared to support the foundational early development of babies and young children, in the context of their caregiving relationships.