What is Infant Mental Health Endorsement® Home Visiting Summit April 17 What is Infant Mental Health Endorsement® And Why Should I Care? Stacey Frymier, MA, LMHC, ATR, IMH-E®(IV-C) WA-AIMH Endorsement and Training Coordinator WAEYC Conference Seattle, WA October 30.2015 Stacey Frymier, WA-AIMH--some slides courtesy of MI-AIMH

What is Infant Mental Health?

What is IECMH? Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) is the developing capacity of the child from birth to three to: Experience, regulate, and express emotions; Form close and secure interpersonal relationships; Explore the environment and learn, all in the context of family, community, and cultural expectations. Infant mental health is synonymous with healthy social and emotional development. Zero to Three, the National Center on Infants and Toddlers, 2001

IECMH Principles Babies develop in the context of relationships Caregiver/child attachment is the foundation for all areas of the child’s development, therefore: IECMH work is dyadic in nature Caregivers often explore issues from their own lives that may be interfering with strong attachment Focus is on building resilience in baby, primary caregiver(s) and their relationship

IECMH Informed IECMH principles can be applied to any work with young children and families that promotes positive social emotional development of child Mental health, case work, home visiting, child care, nursing, early intervention and more! How might this relate to your field? Many people think that IECMH is only for licensed mental health therapists – and there is obviously a significant role for therapists, but there is also a role for IECMH principles within any field where there is significant work with infants, toddlers and their families. These are just some of the disciplines that can benefit from understanding and applying IECMH principles – we call it being IECMH informed.

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health in Washington Home Visiting Summit April 17 Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health in Washington No agreed-upon set of competencies that crosses disciplines All IECMH practitioners need specialized knowledge and experience to provide consistent, high-quality services Dearth of practitioners in certain parts of the state, especially rural areas Need for more awareness and training in the IECMH field (“Now I know what ACEs are, but what can I do about them?”) Need for more Reflective Supervision and Consultation

Infant and Early Childhood Conference April 17 Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health (League of States) 26 States have become Alliance Members and/or have adopted the Competency Guidelines! The League of States is the group of states who either have entered into or are preparing a licensing agreement with the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health (MI-AIMH) to use the MI-AIMH Competency Guidelines and the MI-AIMH Endorsement® (all of the others) to develop and recognize competency-focused, relationship based practice promoting infant mental health.  All are affiliates of the World Association for Infant Mental Health OR are working towards becoming an affiliate. Stacey Frymier, WA-AIMH--some slides courtesy of MI-AIMH

The Endorsement - IMH-E® Infant and Early Childhood Conference The Endorsement - IMH-E® April 17 A 4-level, interdisciplinary, professional development system to expand and recognize competency in the infant mental health field : Infant Family Associate - Level I Infant Family Specialist - Level II Infant Mental Health Specialist – Level III Infant Mental Health Mentor (later expanded to specify clinical, policy or faculty/research) – Level IV Stacey Frymier, WA-AIMH--some slides courtesy of MI-AIMH

Endorsement®: A 4-Level Plan Infant and Early Childhood Conference April 17 Endorsement®: A 4-Level Plan Infant Family Associate Infant Family Specialist IMH Specialist IMH Mentor: Clinical, Faculty, or Policy Education CDA/Associate Bachelors or Masters Masters or Post-Graduate Masters, Post-Graduate Work Experience 2 yrs. in infant/family field 2 yrs. post-masters IMH practice 3 years as IMH practice leader In-Service Training Minimum 30 hrs. References 3 Reflective Supervision Not required Minimum: 24 hours Minimum: 50 hours Clinical: Minimum 50 hours Code of Ethics & Agreement Signed Written Exam No Yes Membership Reference Requirements Summary handout Stacey Frymier, WA-AIMH--some slides courtesy of MI-AIMH

Overview of Competencies Infant and Early Childhood Conference April 17 Overview of Competencies Theoretical Foundations Direct Service Skills Select others Pregnancy & early parenthood Observation & listening Ethical practice Infant development/behavior Screening & assessment Agency policy Infant/family-centered practice Responding with empathy Service delivery systems Relationship-focused therapeutic practice Intervention/treatment planning Community resources Family relationships & dynamics Developmental guidance Building & maintaining relationships Attachment, separation, trauma, grief, & loss Supportive counseling Supporting others Psychotherapeutic & behavioral theories of change Parent/Infant relationship-based therapies & practices Collaborating Disorders of infancy/early childhood Advocacy Analyzing information Mental/behavioral disorders in adults Life skills Exercising sound judgment Cultural competence Safety Parallel process Stacey Frymier, WA-AIMH--some slides courtesy of MI-AIMH

Infant and Early Childhood Conference April 17 Individual Benefits Implementation of the Competency Guidelines® and Endorsement® can lead to: A “map” to guide professional development (for both individuals and programs) Access to specialized, competency-based training Access to reflective supervision/consultation A method for demonstrating a specialization in infant mental health Stacey Frymier, WA-AIMH--some slides courtesy of MI-AIMH

What it means to professionals Infant and Early Childhood Conference April 17 What it means to professionals When asked how Endorsement® has changed view/perception of infant mental health: “I have a better understanding of the importance of this work.” “[I am] well-prepared for work with families.” “I obtained more relevant training and supervision than I would have otherwise.” “The time spent preparing my application helped increase my understanding of IMH work.” “The material for the exam deepened my understanding.” “Increased my credibility.” Stacey Frymier, WA-AIMH--some slides courtesy of MI-AIMH

What professionals say about benefits of Endorsement® to families Infant and Early Childhood Conference April 17 What professionals say about benefits of Endorsement® to families “I think it maximizes my capacity to be fully present with them.” “I’m a more ‘well-rounded’ clinician due to requirements for reflective supervision and continuing education. “My knowledge/studies make me a better therapist.” “I am a better advocate in court.” “Increased breadth of knowledge and treatment approaches.” Stacey Frymier, WA-AIMH--some slides courtesy of MI-AIMH

Infant and Early Childhood Conference April 17 System-wide Benefits Facilitates cross-systems collaboration to provide training and RSC in order to meet the standards laid out in the Competency Guidelines® Provides strategies to recognize the importance of workforce development for infant and family professionals University (pre-service) programs have been designed to align with the Competency Guidelines® Endorsement® is linked to professional development requirements and higher reimbursement rates for services in other states Stacey Frymier, WA-AIMH--some slides courtesy of MI-AIMH

Pursuing Endorsement®: Next Steps Infant and Early Childhood Conference April 17 Pursuing Endorsement®: Next Steps WA-AIMH website: www.wa- aimh.org/endorsement/ Review Requirements and Competency Guidelines to best determine which Level you qualify for Submit Registration through the Endorsement Application System (EASy) Complete Portfolio Application through EASy, with assistance from a WA-AIMH Advisor Levels III and IV take written exam after Application is accepted Stacey Frymier, WA-AIMH--some slides courtesy of MI-AIMH

Additional Information Infant and Early Childhood Conference April 17 Additional Information Contact Stacey Frymier WA-AIMH Endorsement and Training Coordinator at: stacey@wa-aimh.org Contact Nina Auerbach WA-AIMH Executive Director at: nina@wa-aimh.org Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health: www.mi-aimh.org Next: Orient to website/RSC Roster Stacey Frymier, WA-AIMH--some slides courtesy of MI-AIMH