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Endorsement

Since 2015, WA-AIMH has offered the Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-focused Practice Promoting Infant Mental Health (IMH-E®). Endorsement provides recognition of specialized knowledge and expertise in professionals working with expecting families, babies and young children birth through six, and their families. It is an internationally recognized credential offered by states and countries who are part of the Alliance.

 

Endorsement is for anyone who works with expecting families or infants and children and their families in the fields of early care and education, prevention and early intervention, home visiting, the medical and behavioral health professions, child welfare, mental health, policy and advocacy, research and others. It means that a professional has demonstrated a set of competencies by

 

  • Working professionally with infants, young children and their families

  • Attaining a level of education as specified 

  • Participating in competency-based training

  • Engaging in reflective supervision or consultation.

 

Endorsement is in addition to and does not replace other licensure, certification, or credentialing. However, any credentialing you have previously obtained may satisfy competencies for Endorsement.​

Why Get Endorsed?

 

  • Good for You: Demonstrates your expertise in working with infants, young children and their families.

  • Good for Babies and Families: Supports infants, toddlers, families, and professionals in a culturally competent, reflective and relationship-based way.

  • Good for Communities: Provides assurance to families, agencies, employers and the public at large that the endorsed professional meets high standards of knowledge and experience.

  • Good for Employers: Verifies that professionals have attained a specified level of expertise and understanding about the promotion of IECMH and relationship-based approaches.

  • Good for the Field: Informs professional development and career planning within an organized framework and creates a competent, high quality workforce leading to desired child/family outcomes.                       

 - provided with courtesy by WI-AIMH

To Get Started

  • Explore the Endorsement Credentials to find the right fit for you. Review the Knowledge Areas and corresponding Competencies to learn what training, skills, and experiences you will need to demonstrate in your application

​

What is Endorsement?

Image by Kelly Sikkema. Baby lays on it's back while holding a small dinosaur plush.
Endorsement Credentials

The Journey

There are five Endorsement credentials.

Find the right one for you:

IFA

Infant Family Associate

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
Requirements

Any academic degree

OR

Minimum 2 years infant/early childhood-related work or volunteer experience in an applicable role

  • 3 References

  • Minimum 30 hours specialized training in Infant Mental Health (0-3)

  • Completion of application detailing training and experience in required IFA Competency Areas

IFS

Infant Family Specialist

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

No degree required.

​

Minimum 2 years of prevention and/or early intervention service to 0-36 months old & their families; served a minimum of 10 families

Requirements
  • 3 References

  • Minimum 30 hours specialized training in Infant Mental
    Health (0-3)

  • Completion of  application 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 and/or while providing supervision to staff who are providing services to infants, young children and their families

IFRS

Infant Family Reflective Supervisor

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

​

​

Education/Experience

No degree required.

​

Minimum 2-years paid, professional work experience providing prevention and/or early intervention services that promote IMH.

Requirements
  • 3 References

  • Minimum of 24 hours of relationship-focused, RSC providing early intervention/prevention work.

  • Minimum of 48 hours of in-service training.

IMHS

Infant Mental Health Specialist

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 Minimum 2 years, post-masters, IMH practice working on behalf of the caregiver-infant relationship (example: infant parent psychotherapy)

Requirements
  • 3 References

  • Minimum 30 hours specialized training in Infant Mental
    Health (0-3)

  • Completion of  application 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

IMHM

Infant Mental Health Mentor

Clinical, Policy, or Research/Faculty

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

Minimum 3 years as an IMH practice leader (policy, research/faculty, and/or clinical)

 

Clinical only: also meet the IMHS work requirements

Requirements
  • ​3 References

  • Minimum 33 hours specialized training in Infant Mental
    Health (0-3) - Clinical only: 48 hours. Minimum of 3-hours must be about diversity, equity, and inclusion in IMH Clinical only: Minimum of 15-hours must be about the provision of RSC

  • Completion of  Professional application 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. A minimum of 25 hours should be about the RSC that the applicant provides to others

  • Exam

Endorsement Registration

Endorsement Registration

What to expect

To learn more about Endorsement and the Categories email our Endorsement Coordinators. endorsement@wa-aimh.org

Become a WA-AIMH member here: New Membership

Register for Endorsement using the EASy platform.

https://wa-aimh.myeasy.org/register

  • Pay registration fees 

  • Temporary Login email will be sent from EASy within a few days

  • Once you have registered, you can log into EASy here: https://wa-aimh.myeasy.org/

Endorsement Submission Schedule

Endorsement Submisson Schedule

2022 Submission Schedule

Quarter 4

Sept. 30 — Submission deadline for IFA and IFS

Nov. 17 — Endorsement Informational (9a - 10a)

Find the Zoom Link Here

Oct. - Dec. 31 — Annual Renewals Due, all Endorsees

2023 Submission Schedule

Quarter 1

Jan. 13 — Submission deadline for all categories

Week of April 7 — Endorsement® Exam

Quarter 2

Mar. 24 — Submission deadline for IFA, IFS, and IFRS

Quarter 3

Jun. 9 — Submission deadline for all categories

Week of Sept. 1 — Endorsement® Exam

Quarter 4

Sept. 29 — Submission deadline for IFA, IFS, and IFRS

Oct. - Dec. 31 — Annual Renewals Due, all Endorsees

Learn About Endorsement

Use our contact form to learn more about starting the Endorsement Process.

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