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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
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Working professionally with infants, young children and their families
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Attaining a level of education as specified
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Participating in competency-based training
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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?
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Good for You: Demonstrates your expertise in working with infants, young children and their families.
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Good for Babies and Families: Supports infants, toddlers, families, and professionals in a culturally competent, reflective and relationship-based way.
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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.
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Good for Employers: Verifies that professionals have attained a specified level of expertise and understanding about the promotion of IECMH and relationship-based approaches.
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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
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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
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To begin the process, contact endorsement@wa-aimh.org
What is Endorsement?
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
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3 References
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Minimum 30 hours specialized training in Infant Mental Health (0-3)
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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
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3 References
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Minimum 30 hours specialized training in Infant Mental
Health (0-3) -
Completion of application detailing training and experience in required IFS Competency Areas
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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
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3 References
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Minimum of 24 hours of relationship-focused, RSC providing early intervention/prevention work.
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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
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3 References
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Minimum 30 hours specialized training in Infant Mental
Health (0-3) -
Completion of application detailing training and experience in required IMHS Competency Areas
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50 hours of Reflective Supervision within 1-2 year period while working with infants, young children and families
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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
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3 References
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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
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(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
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Exam
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
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Pay registration fees
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Temporary Login email will be sent from EASy within a few days
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page
and explore these documents:
Endorsement Submission Schedule
2022 Submission Schedule
Quarter 4
Sept. 30 — Submission deadline for IFA and IFS
Nov. 17 — Endorsement Informational (9a - 10a)
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.
