1. 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
Stacey Frymier, WA-AIMH--some slides courtesy of MI-AIMH

2. What is Infant Mental Health?

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Pursuing Endorsement®: Next Steps
Infant and Early Childhood Conference
April 17
Pursuing Endorsement®: Next Steps
WA-AIMH website: 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

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