IMH Endorsement

The Competency Guidelines for Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health® (Endorsement) are internationally recognized credentials that support and recognize the development and proficiency of professionals who work with or on behalf of pregnant women, young children, birth up to 6-years old, and their families. Both the Infant Mental Health Endorsement® (IMH-E®) and the Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement® (ECMH-E®) are based on a set of competencies designed to support and enhance culturally sensitive, relationship focused practice within the framework of infant and early childhood mental health. An Endorsement applicant demonstrates acquisition of these competencies through education, work, specialized training, and reflective supervision experiences.

Working with our youngest citizens requires specialized training and experience, and IMH-E® ensures professionals have attained a certain level of expertise with 0 – 3 year olds and their families.  ECMH-E® assures that professionals have attained a specific level of expertise with 3 up to 6-year olds and their families.  Both IMH-E® and ECMH-E® are relevant for professionals across disciplines including early care and education, prevention and early intervention, home visitation, medicine, child welfare, mental health, policy, academia, and others.

Endorsement is available across four different practice specialties spanning the continuum of care. Individuals apply for the Endorsement category that best matches their scope of practice.

Infant Mental Health Endorsement®

  • Infant Family Associate: Promotion
  • Infant Family Specialist: Prevention/Intervention
  • Infant Mental Health Specialist: Clinical Intervention/Treatment
  • Infant Mental Health Mentor: Leadership

Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement®

  • Early Childhood Family Associate: Promotion
  • Early Childhood Family Specialist: Prevention/Intervention
  • Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist: Clinical Intervention/Treatment
  • Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor: Leadership

New Endorsement Category: Infant Family Reflective Supervisor and Early Childhood Reflective Supervisor

In the spring of 2020, a group of associations for infant mental health (AIMHs) came together and discussed their shared struggle around their ability to support, engage, and strengthen their multidisciplinary infant and early childhood mental health workforces specific to reflective supervision/consultation (RSC) capacity building.  Specifically, they identified two requirements, distinct to Infant/Early Childhood Family Specialist (I/ECFS) Endorsement applicants, that caused barriers:

  • Only Masters-prepared I/ECFS endorsed professionals could provide RSC
  • Masters-prepared I/ECFS Endorsement applicants were unable to receive RSC from another Masters-prepared I/ECFS

They wrote a proposal, “Advocating for Change to RSC Requirements I/ECFS Endorsement”, in which they highlighted the following as the impetus behind examining the above requirements further: “When viewed from an equity, inclusion, and diversity lens, these requirements perpetuate a system of power and privilege by placing the greatest value on one’s attainment of higher education – a system that is inequitably accessible across communities.  The Endorsement, a competencies-based workforce development system, is meant to honor professionals who apply IECMH principles to their practice.  These requirements assign the preponderate value to formal education as opposed to competencies.”

Staff and leaders from the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health (Alliance) and AIMHs across the nation unanimously agreed that the I/ECFS requirements needed to be looked at to eliminate barriers around provision of RSC.  Because the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health (MI-AIMH) holds the copyright for the Competency Guidelines (MI-AIMH Copyright © 2017) and Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (Endorsement), the MI-AIMH Endorsement Committee is charged with upholding the standards set forth in the Competency Guidelines.  In June 2020, the MI-AIMH Endorsement Committee recommended a task force be created to consider the proposal more deeply.

The Alliance assembled a group of 9 members, who met for 14-months and composed and submitted a final proposal to the MI-AIMH Endorsement Committee for approval.  The members of the task force represented AIMHs in Florida, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington.  The task force was co-facilitated by Faith Eidson, Ashley McCormick, and Andrea Penick, all of whom are Alliance staff and members of MI-AIMH.

The task force set a goal to gather information and understand about how the current requirements for the I/ECFS categories of Endorsement impact the workforce, particularly looking at how they impact AIMHs’ ability to offer a diverse, equitable, and inclusive Endorsement system.

In order to gather information about impact and to assemble strong recommendations for future requirements, the task force interviewed a diverse range of infant and early childhood professionals in the field to gather their experiences and stories.  In the end, 15 individuals were interviewed and 4 focus groups participated in the process.  Those who participated were asked:

  • What are the qualities of your reflective supervision that have helped with your professional development?
  • What barriers have you seen or experienced around reflective supervision?
  • Describe your experience/importance of integrating reflections around racial identity, personal identity, and power in RS?
  • What requirements do you think a qualified provider of RS for IECMH professionals working in home visiting, early intervention and mental health consultation, should have?

A group of task force members and Alliance affiliated researchers conducted a preliminary data analysis of the interviews and focus groups.  Sarah Shea, PhD, and Andrea Penick then conducted additional qualitative analysis in order to identify major themes.  The main themes were discussed in the context of implications for the task force’s work to identify the essential qualities, skills, and capacities for RSC providers.  The data analysis deeply informed the final proposal, which included creating new categories of Endorsement, Infant/Early Childhood Family Reflective Supervisors (I/ECFRS) for those who work within early intervention/prevention and provide RSC to those who work within early intervention/prevention.

The new category, I/ECFRS, will be added to the Competency Guidelines during the next revision (estimated 2023). 

I/ECFRS Category Requirements

https://coaimh.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IECFRS-Category-Requirements.pdf

Steps to Endorsement by CoAIMH

  1. Become a member of CoAIMH https://coaimh.org/membership/ or IMH Association Membership
  2. Determine which Endorsement is best for you: IMH-E® or ECMH-E®
  3. Determine which Endorsement category is best for you based on your scope of practice: promotion, prevention, intervention, or leadership
  4. Register on EASy  https://coaimh.myeasy.org/  CoAIMH’s web-based system for compiling applications for Endorsement.  The first time you visit EASy, select “Register” under “New Applicant”
  5. To register, EASy requires you to provide a brief description of your work, education, and RSC experiences.  Complete and submit, including payment of the EASy Registration Fee
  6. Log into EASy using the username and password issued to you via email from EASy and begin to prepare your application!
  7. Work on your application!  Contact the Endorsement Coordinator for support at co.endorsement.coordinator@gmail.com
  8. Once completed, submit your application along with the Processing Fee
  9. Your application will undergo an application review.  For Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist & Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor applicants, you’ll also need to successfully pass an Endorsement exam
  10. Endorsement!
  11. Proudly use your Endorsement credential to tell employers, parents, health and legal practitioners, and insurance providers that you have expertise related to the social and emotional development of infants and young children in families!

The Endorsement Packet gives a detailed description of the Endorsement Process

https://coaimh.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Endorsement-Applicant-Packet.pdf

Application Deadlines

July 31, 2023-APPLICATION DEADLINE for IMH-E® categories:

Infant and Early Childhood Family Associate

Infant and Early Childhood Family Specialist

Infant and Early Childhood Family Reflective Supervisor

October 31, 2023: APPLICATION DEADLINE for ALL IMH-E® and ECMH-E® categories

Questions? Please contact: endorsement@coaimh.org

Infant Mental Health Endorsement® (IMH-E®)

Each IMH-E® category has specific work, education, in-service training, and reflective supervision/consultation requirements, specific to pregnant women, young children, aged 0-36 months, and their families.  In addition, IMH-E® applicants will demonstrate achievement of competencies, as defined in the desired category.  This table represents only a summary of the IMH-E® categories.

https://coaimh.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IECMH-Requirements.pdf 

1 Infant Family Associate applicants need to meet the Education OR the Work requirement they do not need to meet both.

2 For Infant Family Associate applicants, volunteer experience may meet the work criterion if it was a) supervised experience with women during pregnancy or with infants, toddlers, & families AND b) included specialized training. Examples include CASA, Doula, Child Life Specialist.

3 Only Infant Mental Health Mentor – Clinical applicants need to fulfill the requirement of being a provider of RS/C for 3+ years.

Detailed information specific to each category can be downloaded from the Competency Guidelines link below.

 https://coaimh.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/MI-AIMH-Competency-Guidelines-IMH-ECMH-WEB-.pdf

The materials supporting CoAIMH Competency Guidelines are copyrighted by the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health (MI-AIMH). CoAIMH is able to make these materials available to our membership and collaborators through a licensing agreement with the MI-AIMH.

Copyright law does allow individuals to print out or make ONE copy of copyrighted material for personal, non-commercial purposes only. None of the copyrighted Endorsement documents included here may be reproduced, displayed, distributed, or otherwise used in any format, including electronically, without the express written consent of MI-AIMH. Legal action will be taken against those who violate the copyright.

Resources:

Endorsement Application Packet

https://coaimh.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Endorsement-Applicant-Packet.pdf

Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement® (ECMH-E®)

Each ECMH-E® category has specific work, education, in-service training, and reflective supervision/consultation requirements, specific to children 3 through 6 years and their families.  In addition, Endorsement applicants will demonstrate achievement of competencies, as defined in the desired category.  This table represents only a summary of the ECMH Endorsement categories.

https://coaimh.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IECMH-Requirements.pdf

1 Early Childhood Family Associate applicants need to meet the Education OR the Work requirement they do not need to meet both.

2 For Early Childhood Family Associate applicants, volunteer experience may meet the work criterion if it was a) supervised experience with women during pregnancy or with infants, toddlers, & families AND b) included specialized training. Examples include CASA, Doula, Child Life Specialist.

3 Only Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor – Clinical applicants need to fulfill the requirement of being a provider of RS/C for 3+ years.

Detailed information specific to each category can be downloaded from the Competency Guidelines link below

https://coaimh.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/MI-AIMH-Competency-Guidelines-IMH-ECMH-WEB-.pdf

The materials supporting the [AIMH] Competency Guidelines are copyrighted by the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health (MI-AIMH). The [AIMH] is able to make these materials available to our membership and collaborators through a licensing agreement with the MI-AIMH.

Copyright law does allow individuals to print out or make ONE copy of copyrighted material for personal, non-commercial purposes only. None of the copyrighted Endorsement documents included here may be reproduced, displayed, distributed, or otherwise used in any format, including electronically, without the express written consent of MI-AIMH. Legal action will be taken against those who violate the copyright.

Resources:

Annual Renewal of Endorsement Requirements

In order to renew Endorsement annually, the following is required:

  • On-going membership in CoAIMH or IMH Association: CoAIMH Membership Fees-$90 (Includes renewal fee)                                                                                                                                                       IMH Association Renewal Fee-$50 plus proof of 2024 IMH membership
  • 15 clock hours of training related to culturally-sensitive, relationship-focused practice promoting infant and early childhood mental health.                                                                                                                                                                                  If you are a provider of RSC, at least 3 hours of the 15 hours required need to be about the provision of RSC                   *Up to 7 hours spent in the role of IMH-E® Application Reviewer and/or IECMH-E® Exam Reviewer counts toward the 15 hours each year
  • 12 clock hours of RSC annually for professionals endorsed at IFS/ECFS, IFRS/ECFRS, IMHS/ECMHS, and IMHM-C/ECMHM-C* *This renewal requirement applies to all IFS/ECFS, IFRS/ECFRS, IMHS/ECMHS and IMHM-C/ECMHM-C professionals, regardless of when Endorsement was originally earned. The only exception is for those who have maintained Endorsement as IMHM-C/ECMHM-C for at least 3-years.  After 3-years, 10-hours annually; peer supervision or collaborative consultation may be utilized.
  • Late Endorsement Renewal-January 1, 2024 –January 31, 2024: $50 Renewal Fee*** in addition to annual CoAIMH or IMH Association Membership
  • Renewals not submitted by January 31, 2024: IMH-E® Endorsement removed from the Endorsement registry.

Reinstatement of Endorsement Lapses

If removed from the Endorsement Registry, a professional must:

  • Register on EASy (https://coaimh.myeasy.org/)
  • Add education, work, in-service training, and RSC experiences that have been accrued since removal from the registry
  • Get three updated reference ratings (via EASy)
  • Pay Endorsement Processing Fee-$40

Reinstatement also requires a current membership with CoAIMH (or another IMH association).

Applying for Endorsement if Out of State Applicant

CoAIMH cannot accept Endorsement applications from those who reside outside of name of state.   Even if the Applicant works in name of state, if the Applicant resides in another state, they must apply for Endorsement in the state in which they reside.  If an Applicant works in a state that has Endorsement but resides in a state that does not have Endorsement AND the Applicant’s employer requires Endorsement, it may be possible for the Applicant to earn Endorsement through the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health.  To see if Endorsement is available where you reside, please visit The Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health.

Changing Endorsement Categories

Applicants may not earn two categories or designations of Endorsement at the same time. An applicant will earn one category of Endorsement and then add an additional category of Endorsement at a later date.

To assure fulfillment of the Endorsement requirements as specified, an endorsed professional will “add a new Endorsement application” within their EASy application.  CoAIMH requires that this is done a minimum of 4-weeks before the review deadline to assure that all of the requirements are understood, that there is adequate time for preparation for the IMHS/ECMHS or IMHM/ECMHM Endorsement exam, and that the applicant’s application is updated with new information pertinent to the applicant’s current status (including contact information).

Inactive Endorsement Status

CoAIMH maintains an Inactive Endorsement Registry for those who have earned Endorsement but have extenuating circumstances and are unable to meet annual renewal requirements, including those who have been sanctioned by a licensing board.

Inactive Status: Endorsed professional continues with on-going requirements for membership and 5 hours of specialized in-service training annually but is unable to fulfill the full training requirement of 15 hours and/or is unable to receive 12 hours of RSC.  All categories of Endorsement are eligible for Inactive Status.

Endorsed professionals who move to Inactive Status will be removed from the Endorsement Registry and are no longer able to use the IMH-E® or ECMH-E® credential after their name or promote themselves as actively endorsed or as a provider of reflective supervision/consultation.  A Reactivation Application, along with a $25 reactivation fee, can be submitted at any time to return to the Endorsement Registry. For those who have been sanctioned by a licensing board, the Reactivation Application can be submitted only after sanctions have been lifted along with documentation of such from the licensing board.

For IFS/ECFS, IMHS/ECMHS and IMHM/ECMHM endorsed professionals who are no longer working in the IECMH field and no longer receiving RSC, but who wish to continue to remain on the Endorsement Registry, they will be offered the option to apply for IFA/ECFA Endorsement (through a new IFA/ECFA Application in EASy).  These professionals will not need to complete the entire application, as they previously demonstrated fulfillment of the competencies and requirements through their previous application for Endorsement.  Upon applying for and receiving IFA/ECFA Endorsement, these endorsed professionals will be required to follow the ongoing annual Endorsement renewal requirements of 15-hours of in-service training and maintenance of membership in Name of AIMH.

Inactive Endorsement Status: Returning to Active Endorsement Status

When the endorsed professional is ready to return to active status, they will complete and apply for Reactivation to Active Endorsement Registry https://coaimh.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/CoAIMH-Reactivation-to-Active-Application-Endorsement.pdfand $25 for the Reactivation Fee to CoAIMH.

Once reviewed and approved, the endorsed professional’s name will be moved from the Inactive Endorsement Registry to the Endorsement Registry. The number of training hours expected for annual Endorsement renewal will be prorated depending on the date that the application to reactivate is received.  The Endorsement Coordinator will email you with the number of hours you will be expected to submit.

Endorsement Exam Special Accommodations

Dates and Location

The Endorsement examination is generally offered two times each year. The exam will be proctored via Zoom. Permission can be sought to have the exam proctored in an additional location. Requests to determine an alternate exam site need to be made at least 10-weeks prior to the exam date.  Requests are submitted in writing to the Endorsement Coordinator.  CoAIMH will offer the exam at the primary location and at no more than two alternate locations at any given exam administration.  Exams administered at an alternate location must occur on the same date as the primary exam administration.  $50 shipping and handling fee be added for each applicant whose request to take the exam in any location other than the primary site has been approved.

Accommodations for the Exam

If an IMHS/ECMHS or IMHM/ECMHM Endorsement applicant would like an accommodation for either part of the examination, they must submit a written request to the Endorsement Coordinator at least eight weeks before the exam date. The request must detail the kind of accommodation being requested, as well as documentation of the need for an accommodation (i.e., assessment from a professional). The Endorsement Coordinator will respond to the request at least 10 days before the examination date.

CoAIMH is committed to meeting the needs of all of its members but may not be able to grant every accommodation request.  CoAIMH will work closely with the applicant to develop a plan that offers a reasonable accommodation without compromising the integrity of the exam, the identity of the applicant, or the identity of the exam reviewers.  In these instances, it may be necessary and appropriate to offer the exam on a different date in order to accommodate the applicant.  If CoAIMH is unsure of the appropriate accommodation for a special circumstance, CoAIMH may contact the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health Quality Assurance Director.

If an IMHS/ECMHS or IMHM/ECMHM Endorsement applicant’s primary language is something other than English, and the Applicant requests an accommodation, they can have up to an additional 60 minutes for each section of the exam, i.e., a total of 2 ½ hours for Part One and a total of 2 ½ hours for Part Two.  In addition, they may take a dictionary into the examination to assist in translation (e.g., a Spanish to English dictionary).  ESL accommodations do not require documentation except for a written request for the standard extension of time outlined above.  If more time than the standard extension is requested, further documentation may be required.

Endorsement Exam Scores, Feedback, Retakes and Decision Reviews

Applicants must receive passing scores on both Part One and Part Two of the exam to earn Name of AIMHEndorsement. A passing score on Part One (the multiple-choice section) of the exam is 80%.  In order to carefully protect the exam materials, applicants will not receive specific feedback related to the questions missed on Part One.  Applicants who do not receive a passing score on Part Two of the exam (response to vignettes/scenarios) will be provided with feedback based on the exam reviewers’ remarks.

Regardless of outcome, all who take the exam will be provided with feedback based on the exam reviewers’ remarks.  The feedback is offered in the spirit of promoting professional development and can help guide selection of specialized in-service training opportunities and continuing reflective supervision or consultation experiences.

Retakes

Applicants must submit a written request to retake the exam at least eight weeks before the examination date. The request must be sent to the Endorsement Coordinator.  Whether retaking Part One, Part Two, or both, applicants must wait at least one year before retaking the exam. There is no charge to retake either part of the exam the second time.  However, if any applicant does not successfully pass the exam after two attempts, the applicant must: wait at least one year before taking the exam again, update their EASy application with three new reference ratings, new training/work/supervision experiences and submit their application for another review.  If the applicant is approved to sit for the exam again, the applicant must pay the retake fee of $100.

Review of an Exam Decision

A minimum of two trained exam reviewers must agree on whether or not an exam response (qualitative section) passes or not. There is no appeal process if the applicant does not agree with this decision. As stated in the Endorsement Agreement, signed by every Endorsement applicant: “The decision of NAME OF AIMH concerning whether or not endorsement will be granted is final and binding.”

Applicants are invited to consider the feedback offered by exam reviewers and sit for the exam again in one year’s time (see policy above, “Retakes”)

Endorsement Application Submission, Review and Approval to sit for the Exam

IMHS/ECMHS and IMHM/ECMHM applicants are expected to submit a completed application at least four weeks before exam date. Exam dates and application submission deadlines are posted under Endorsement Application subpage. Applications must be submitted via EASy in their entirety*, by 11:59pm on the day of the deadline. IMHS/ECMHS and IMHM/ECMHM applications are reviewed by at least one professional who has earned Endorsement and has been trained to review applications.

If the application reviewer(s) believes the applicant is not yet ready to sit for the exam, the applicant will be given specific feedback related to the decision. CoAIMH will provide an email to the applicant identifying strengths and gaps, as they relate to the competencies. The applicant will be invited to update their EASy application, including new reference rating forms, one year later and will be reconsidered to take the exam at that time.

Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RSC)

RSC is supervision or consultation that distinctly utilizes the shared exploration of the parallel process. In addition, RSC relates to professional and personal development within one’s discipline by attending to the emotional content of the work and how reactions to the content affect the work. Finally, there is often a greater emphasis on the supervisor/consultant’s ability to listen and wait, allowing the supervisee to discover solutions, concepts, and perceptions on their own without interruption from the supervisor/consultant.

Peer supervision (defined as colleagues meeting together without an identified supervisor/consultant to guide the reflective process), while valuable for many RSC experienced practitioners, does not meet the criteria for Endorsement, even if one or more of the peers has earned Endorsement at IMHM-C/ECMHM-C or IMHS/ECMHS. The provider of RSC is charged with holding the emotional content of the cases presented. The ability to do so is compromised when the provider is a peer of the presenter.  Unnecessary complications can arise when the provider of RSC has concerns about a peer’s ability to serve a particular family due to the peer’s emotional response AND the provider and peer share office space, for example.

Refund Policies Associated with Endorsement Fees

EASy Registration Fee

CoAIMH does not refund EASy Registration Fees.

Endorsement Processing Fee

The Endorsement Processing Fee only partially covers CoAIMH expenses related to supporting applicants through the process, facilitating application reviews, compiling feedback letters to each applicant, creating, and mailing the Endorsement certificate, and maintaining the Endorsement Registry.  In addition, for IMHS/ECMHS and IMHM/ECMHM there are the additional expenses related to the creation and field testing of a new exam each year, administering the exam, and reviewing the exam.  Therefore, CoAIMH is unable to refund Endorsement Processing Fees once an application has been submitted for review. This policy applies even if applicant is deferred, submits an incomplete application, does not pass the exam, or accepts Endorsement at another category with a lower fee.

Reference Ratings for Endorsement

Reference ratings for Endorsement are critically important.  They are our primary source for documenting an applicant’s skills in the domains of Reflection, Working with Others and Thinking.  Reference rating forms are filled out electronically via EASy https://coaimh.myeasy.org/  An Endorsement applicant enters the name and email address of the rater and then the EASy system emails the rater a secure link for completing the form.

Reviewing the questions from the reference rating form is recommended both for applicants and raters.  The questions can be used in a supervision session to mutually assess the applicant’s professional progress.

Tips for Applicants:

  • If the reference is your supervisor (program and/or reflective), consider looking over the questions together in supervision and requesting feedback
  • Ask your reference provider if they would be willing to complete a form (electronically) for you
  • Be sure each reference is familiar enough with your work, knowledge, & skills to provide ratings (if rater scores “I do not have enough information to rate/comment” more than 6 times, the reference cannot be counted)
  • You must decide whether or not to sign a waiver for each reference. If you sign it, you waive your right to access the content of the form. Some raters will not complete a reference unless the waiver is signed to ensure the rater’s scores and remarks will remain confidential

Tips for Raters:

Endorsement involves a standardized process to determine that a professional has accumulated specialized experiences in the infant and early childhood field and has signed a Code of Ethics.  All applicants receive a copy of the Code of Ethics.  An applicant’s experiences are documented by the submission of an application that details competency-based training, specialized work experiences, and for most, reflective supervision/consultation (RSC) experiences.  The application also includes three reference ratings.  Endorsees as Infant Mental Health Specialist, Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist, Infant Mental Health Mentor, and Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor have passed an exam that includes measures of theoretical knowledge, direct service skills, and their capacity to apply these principles into practice.  This exam is scored by a team of two reviewers who are blind to the identity of the examinee.

To maintain Endorsement also requires ongoing training and, in the cases of Infant Family Specialist, Early Childhood Family Specialist, Infant Mental Health Specialist, Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist, Infant Mental Health Mentor-Clinical, and Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor-Clinical, ongoing RSC. Endorsees are also required to re-commit to upholding the Code of Ethics annually.  Beginning in January of 2022, this commitment includes signing an attestation that the endorsee has not been sanctioned by a licensing board.

Endorsement is not a professional license or a certificate.  CoAIMH Endorsement cannot guarantee the quality of service of any endorsed professional.  CoAIMH Endorsement does not include a process by which complaints or concerns regarding ethics can be filed.  If CoAIMH becomes aware of possible ethics violations by an endorsed professional, complainants are encouraged to, when applicable, contact the individual’s professional licensing board.  CoAIMH Endorsement does not offer monitoring for ethics violations, however if CoAIMH learns that an endorsed professional has been sanctioned by a licensing board, the individual’s name is moved to the Inactive Endorsement Registry.  Those professionals will follow the policy https://coaimh.org/imh-endorsement/for reactivation to the Active Endorsement Registry once the licensing board’s sanctions have been lifted.

PLEASE NOTE: Annual renewal is required to remain on the Endorsement® Registry. Please see the endorsement renewal requirements https://coaimh.org/imh-endorsement/ or contact the Endorsement Coordinator for details.

*IECMH-E® denotes Endorsementments in both IMH & ECMH.

  1. Jessica Alexander, MA, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  2. Sherri Amen, BS, MA, IECMH-E® Infant and Early Childhood Family Specialist
  3. Vanessa Abschwangen, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Associate
  4. Jordana Ash, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  5. Elisa Aucancela, MA, ECMH-E® Emerging Early Childhood Family Reflective Supervisor
  6. Amy Aweida, MS, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Associate
  7. Kim Bacher, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  8. Christy Balentine, PhD, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  9. Emily A. Baker, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  10. Mim Bartos, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  11. Judy Bayley, MS, ECMH-E®, Early Childhood Family Specialist
  12. Margaret Bellamy, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  13. Shannon Bekman, PhD, IECMH-E® Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  14. Julianna Bellipanni, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  15. Chrissy Beukelman, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  16. Lauren Berkovits, Ph.D., IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  17. Kate Brockman, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Family Reflective Supervisor
  18. Stacey Bromberg, Ph.D., IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  19. Patrice Brown, EdD, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Associate
  20. Patsy Bruce, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Associate
  21. Melissa Buchholz, PsyD, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  22. Leigh Carlson-Hernandez, BS, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  23. Katrina Carter, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  24. Erica Cervantez, MA, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Family Reflective Supervisor
  25. Luisanna Chavez, MA, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  26. Wendy Chenoweth, IMH-E® Infant Family Associate
  27. Michelle Chrastil, MA, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Family Reflective Supervisor
  28. Alexa Grace Christensen, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  29. Crystal P. Christensen, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Family Reflective Supervisor
  30. Amy Cobb, MS, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  31. Liz Costaldo, MA, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Policy)
  32. Corinna Crandall, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  33. Courtney Crotty, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  34. Colleen Crowley, MSW, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  35. Charisse Dawkins, LCSW, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Reflective Supervisor
  36. Kinsey Davenport, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  37. Margaret Davis, MA, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  38. Barbara Deloian, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Policy)
  39. Chelsea Denny, IMH-E® Infant Family Associate
  40. Annie Deutschmann, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Reflective Supervisor
  41. Lucia Di Prima, MS, IMH-E® Infant Family Reflective Supervisor
  42. Amy Dulin, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Specialist
  43. Alyssa Duran, MS, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Specialist
  44. Angelina Duran, EdD, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Associate
  45. Frances Echeverria, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  46. Susan Englebert, BS, BA, IMH-E® Infant Family Associate
  47. Mary Faltynski, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  48. Sharla Fellers, BA, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  49. Mari Foster, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  50. Karen Frankel, PhD, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  51. Laura Free, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  52. Emily Fried, MS Ed, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  53. Carrie Froman, IMH-E® Infant Family Associate
  54. April Galligan, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  55. Bethany Garrett-Myers, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  56. Cindy Geiger, MA, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  57. Letha Gillisse, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Specialist
  58. Eva Glaser, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health SPecialist
  59. Christina Gomez, MS. LMFT, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  60. Erika Grohmann, IMH-E® Infant Family Associate
  61. Barbara Gueldner, PhD, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  62. Megan Hale, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  63. Kailey Hand, LPC, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Specialist
  64. Sierra Hansen, M.Ed., ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Specialist
  65. Brooke E. Harris, MA, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  66. Amy Harrison, M.Ed, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Specialist
  67. Katherine Harrison, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Associate
  68. Neale Harper, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  69. Shannon Harrell, BA, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Specialist
  70. Stacy Hart, NCC, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  71. Noelle Hause, EdD, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  72. Holly Hedman, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  73. Anne Hersom, MS, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family;y Reflective Supervisor
  74. Daryl Hitchcock, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  75. Mariah Hofmeister, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  76. Jaclyn Hickey, MA, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Family Associate
  77. Stefanie Hudgins, IMH-E® Infant Family Associate
  78. Heather Hyland, LCSW, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Reflective Supervisor
  79. Eva Jankovsky, MA, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  80. Gena Leonard-Johnson, LCSW, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Specialist
  81. Ty Johnson, IMH-E® Infant Family Reflective Supervisor
  82. Sarah Kahn, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Specialist
  83. Amanda Kearney, LMFT, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  84. Theresa Kegerreis, RN, BSN, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  85. Jessalyn Kelleher, PsyD, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  86. April Kemp, LPCC, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Associate
  87. Kaycie Kimmich, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  88. Jessica Kirkman Leone, LCSW, IECMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist and Early Childhood Family Reflective Supervisor
  89. Jennifer R. Kniffen-Turner, MA, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  90. Julia Kozusko, MA, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Policy)
  91. Kimberly Koditek, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  92. Kendra Kohlhaas, PhD, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  93. Lorraine Kubicek, PhD IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Research/Faculty)
  94. Alisha Lacombe-Emile, M.A. Ed, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  95. Jamie Lanin, LCSW, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Specialist
  96. Josety Lara, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Associate
  97. Kelly Lavin, PhD, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Research/Faculty)
  98. Bailey Lenart, BA, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Associate
  99. Tara Lieurance, BA, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  100. Claudia Alejandra Lopez, IECMH-E® Infant and Early Childhood Family Associate
  101. Kassy Lopez, PhD, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Associate
  102. Kristen Love, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Associate
  103. Kayleigh Maas, MA, LPC, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist
  104. Claudia Magana, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Associate
  105. Heather Magyar, MA, ECSE, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  106. Stephanie Malone, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  107. Petora Manetto-Spratt, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  108. Emily Mariani, MA, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  109. Hannah Martell, LPC, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist
  110. Lisa Matter, MA, IMH-E® Infant Family Reflective Supervisor
  111. Debbie Mayer, MSW, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  112. Lisa McCormick, MA, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  113. Cheri McElhiney, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  114. Heather McFadden, LCSW, IECMH-E® Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist
  115. Sarah McNamee, LCSW, MBA, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  116. Emily McNeil, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  117. Sophie Mitchell, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Associate
  118. Megan Monaghan, M.A. Ed., IMH-E® Infant Family Associate
  119. Kiira Moore, MS, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  120. Erica Morales, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Associate
  121. Evelyn M. Mouriz, IMH-E® Infant Family Associate
  122. Marlena Murray, MSW, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  123. Crystal Munoz, BA, IECMH-E® Infant and Early Childhood Family Associate
  124. Amy Nation, MA, IECMH-E® Infant and Early Family Specialist
  125. Kyle Ohl, MA, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  126. Missy Oller, BS, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  127. Suzannah Packert, MS, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Associate
  128. Claudia Palacios, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Associate
  129. Shannon Parker, BS, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  130. Lauren Patton, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  131. Ursula Perez, AS, IMH-E® Infant Family Associate
  132. Kristie Phillips, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  133. Margaret E. Picard, PsyD, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mental (Clinical)
  134. Erin Pounds-Bell, MS, IECMH-E® Infant and Early Childhood Family Specialist
  135. Matthew Powell, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  136. Michele Provost, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Policy)
  137. Juanita Puga, BA, IMH-E® Infant Family Associate
  138. Mona Ready, MA, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  139. Christine Robernalt, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  140. Crystal Reeder, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Specialist
  141. Lynn Roberts, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  142. Betsy Rogers, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  143. Silvia Romero, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  144. Michelle Roy, Ph.D., IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  145. Karalynn Royster, PsyD, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  146. Laurie Ryan, M.A., IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  147. Charmayne N. Sandoval, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  148. Abbey Schneider, MFTc, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  149. Elizabeth Schwemlein, MS, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  150. Carla Sciarrino, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  151. Lori A. Sheerin, MA, Ed., IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  152. Leah Sidney, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  153. Heather Soderberg, IMH-E® Infant Family Associate
  154. Jennifer Sommer-Sheppard, LCSW, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  155. Megan Stanton, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  156. Kristine Dawn Strayer, MA, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  157. Kym Spring-Thompson, PsyD, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  158. Ashley Sward, PsyD, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  159. Ayelet Talmi, PhD, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  160. Gemma Taylor, MPH, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Specialist
  161. Jeanne Teske, LCSW, ECMH-E®, Early Childhood Family Specialist
  162. Aixa Tofilo, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  163. Elizabeth (Buffy) Trent, Psy.D., IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  164. Tracy Troeger, MS, MA, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  165. Lisa Troisi, MA, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  166. Kathryn Trujillo, ECMH-E® Infant Family Associate
  167. Sarai Trujillo, MA, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  168. Tammy Truong, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Family Associate
  169. Maya Turn, IMH-E® Infant Family Associate
  170. Heather Noelle Vaughn, MS, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  171. Shelley Waters, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  172. Dayna Webb, MA, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  173. Jane West, MS, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist
  174. Katie-Beth Whitcomb, ECMH-E® Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist
  175. Heidi Whitney, LCSW,IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  176. Abigail Williams, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  177. Joy Wishtun, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  178. Hannah Wurster, Ph.D., IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Specialist
  179. Deborah Young, EdS, PhD, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Research/Faculty)
  180. Julie Zabolio, MA, LPC, IMH-E® Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical)
  181. Jean Zuendel, MA, IMH-E® Infant Family Specialist

Infant Mental Health Specialist, Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist, Infant Mental Health Mentor, and Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor Endorsement applicants must pass an exam prior to earning Endorsement. The exam has two parts; both are based on the Competency Guidelines.

Applicants are encouraged to engage their provider of RSC to think together about the applicant’s professional journey, capacity for reflection, and understanding of parallel process all in relation to readiness for the exam. The paper version of the reference rating form can be used to solicit feedback related to knowledge and skill areas of the competencies. If you are interested in reviewing PDF versions of the reference rating items with your RSC provider, you can see them here https://coaimh.org/imh-endorsement/.  If gaps in knowledge are identified, use the resource list to identify readings that will fulfill the gaps.  If the provider of RSC expresses reservations related to the capacity to apply IECMH principles into practice, the applicant is encouraged to continue with RSC and the on-going assessment of skills in the areas of Reflection, Thinking, and Working with Others.

Part One (60 Multiple Choice Questions – 90 minutes)

The multiple-choice, or quantitative, section is primarily focused on infant and early childhood mental health knowledge specific to work with infants, young children, and their families.  Most questions will be related to direct service, but there will be some questions related to reflective supervision/consultation, policy, and research. The multiple-choice section is the same for all Specialist and Mentor applicants. Knowledge gained through course work, specialized in-service training, and self-study will be most useful in this section of the exam.  IMH-E® applicants are expected to have knowledge on pregnant women, infants, young children (up to age 3), and families. ECMH-E® applicants are expected to have knowledge on pregnant women, infants, young children (up to age 6), and families.

Part Two (Vignettes – 90 minutes)

The qualitative section will ask for responses to vignettes. This section is intended to measure the applicant’s capacity to apply their knowledge of IECMH principles into practice and to demonstrate a reflective, relationship-based approach.  While all of the competency areas are important, the ones under the Reflection, Thinking, and Working with Others domains are important to the qualitative section for Specialists and Mentors – Clinical.

The Administration domain is the primary focus of the Policy exam. Policy applicants are asked to demonstrate a capacity to promote IECMH principles and practices within and across systems.

The Research & Evaluation domain is the primary focus of the Research/Faculty exam.  In the Research/Faculty exam, one scenario is more specific to teaching; the other scenario is more specific to empirical research. Research/Faculty applicants will demonstrate a commitment to IECMH principles and practices related to research or course planning and instruction.

Resources

Endorsement Exam Packet

https://coaimh.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Endorsement-Exam-Packet.pdf

Endorsement

What is involved in the Endorsement process?

  1. Register on the Endorsement Application System (EASy), which involves submitting preliminary information and paying the EASy registration fee
    • When registering on EASy, it is strongly recommended that you register using a personal email address (e.g., Gmail, yahoo, Hotmail, etc.).  Employer email servers often block messages sent by EASy
  2. EASy applicants must have a current membership with CoAIMH or another IMH association.
    • CoAIMH memberships run on a calendar year. Any 1-year membership purchased before October 1 will expire December 31 of the same year. Any 1-year membership purchased after October 1 will expire December 31 of the following year. For example, a 1-year membership purchased on August 1, 2020, will expire on December 31, 2020. A 1-year membership purchased on October 2, 2020, will expire on December 31, 2021. There are no exceptions that can be made to this rule. 
  3. EASy will email you a username and password
  4. Build your professional application, including work, in-service training, and supervisory experiences.  This reflects your capabilities within the infant, young child, and family field
  5. You will be asked to list the names and email addresses for the 3 individuals who will complete reference rating forms on your behalf.  EASy will send an email to each reference rater; the whole process is done electronically.  Please ask your reference raters for a personal email address so they will receive the secure link to complete the form on EASy
  6. Once your application is complete you may “Submit” by clicking the button that appears on your EASy dashboard.  This includes paying the Endorsement Processing Fee
  7. Applications are reviewed quarterly.  Please check Application Deadlines subpage to see when the next review will take place.
  8. Infant/Early Childhood Family Associate, Infant/Early Childhood Family Specialist, and Infant/Early Childhood Family Reflective Supervisor applicants receive an Endorsement decision after at least one trained reviewer, who has earned Endorsement, examines, and approves the application
  9. Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist & Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor applicants move on to the written Endorsement exam after at least one trained reviewer, who has earned Endorsement, examines and approves their application. CoAIMH offers the written exam approximately twice a year.
  10. ENDORSEMENT

How do I ask for help while completing the Endorsement process?

If you have questions while in EASy, select the “Support” button in the upper right-hand corner.  Applicants can indicate whether the issue is technical or related to the Endorsement process.  There are also Comment boxes within every tab of the Endorsement application where applicants can ask questions or leave remarks.  If you have other questions, unrelated to EASy, email the Endorsement Coordinator.

How long does it take to apply for Endorsement?

CoAIMH requires that applicants register on EASy a minimum of 4-weeks before an intended submission date.  This ensures enough time for receipt and upload of transcripts, completion of reference ratings, and thorough entries related to applicant’s specialized work, in-service training, and RSC experiences.

Most applicants spend an average of 6-12 months completing their Endorsement application.  That said, this depends largely on applicants’ work, supervision, and training experiences in addition to the Endorsement category for which they are applying. 

What happens after I submit my application for review?

All applications are carefully reviewed by at least one trained application reviewer who has earned Endorsement.  The application reviewer will examine reference rating forms, qualifying specialized work, in-service training, and RSC experiences.  Then they will make a recommendation about whether to recommend your application for Endorsement, to approve you to sit for the Endorsement exam, or may suggest that you pursue further work, training and/or RSC experiences and then have your application be re-reviewed after a period of time.

Why should I earn Endorsement?

Neurons to Neighborhoods (Shonkoff & Phillips, 2000) and Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth through Age 8: A Unifying Foundation (2015) report there is a critical shortage of well trained professionals who have knowledge, skills, and supervised work experience to promote healthy social and emotional development, and to intervene and treat serious early childhood mental health problems.

By engaging in Endorsement, you will:

  • Grow and develop as a professional in the rapidly expanding infant, young child, and family service field
  • Be recognized by employers and peers for having attained a category of competency in culturally sensitive, relationship-based practice that promotes infant and early childhood mental health
  • Become a part of one of the first and most comprehensive international efforts to identify best practice competencies at multiple levels and across disciplines and to offer a pathway for professional development in the infant and family field.

What benefit is there if I have earned a graduate certificate in Infant Mental Health?

Graduates from a college or university program or post-graduate certificate program in infant mental health must submit documentation of completion of the program, such as a copy of diploma or certificate.  Certificate holders may find that their course work has documented their competency in all of the knowledge and skill areas under Theoretical Foundations and Direct Service Skills as defined for Infant/Early Childhood Family Specialist or Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist.  The approved competencies vary from program to program.

  • Although most of the competencies are documented by the completion of a university-based certificate in infant mental health, certificate holders who apply for Endorsement must still include at least 30 hours of specialized in-service training

How do I indicate that I have earned the Endorsement?

The Infant Mental Health Endorsement® (IMH-E®) and Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement® (ECMH-E®) marks indicates that a person has earned Endorsement.  Use of the registered trademark is important (whenever possible) to distinguish from other systems of “endorsement.”

Examples:

Jane Doe, MSW, LMSW, IMH-E®

Infant Mental Health Specialist

Jane Doe, MA, IMH-E®

Infant Mental Health Mentor – Clinical

Jane Doe, MS, ECMH-E®

Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist

Jane Doe, PhD, ECMH-E®

Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor – Policy

Reflective Supervision/Consultation

Am I only able to include RSC hours from those who are trained in RSC?

RSC that meets criteria for Endorsement must come from an individual who has earned Endorsement as an Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist, Infant/Early Childhood Family Reflective Supervisor, and Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor-Clinical.  A lot of clinical supervision is reflective, but perhaps not all is from a specialist in infant and early childhood mental health.  The only exception is for applicants who are pursuing Infant/Early Childhood Family Specialist and are Bachelor’s prepared; they can receive qualified RSC from someone who is an Infant/Early Childhood Family Specialist AND is Master’s prepared.

How do I count reflective consultation?

Many individuals do not have a direct supervisor who has earned Endorsement; however, they do receive RSC from a consultant who is endorsed.  If your team meets with an endorsed consultant, you can count the hours of time that you spend with the consultant, even if you are not the identified presenter.  For example, if you meet and participate in case consultations once a month for two hours, you will have 24 hours of RSC that meets criteria for Endorsement.

Should I include all sources of reflective supervision (i.e., program supervisor, reflective supervisor, reflective consultant etc.)

If all of those sources meet criteria for Endorsement, you may include them all as long as the majority of the required clock hours were provided by just one or two supervisors/consultants.

As in relationship-focused practice with families, RSC is most effective when it occurs in the context of a relationship that has an opportunity to develop by meeting regularly with the same supervisor/consultant over a period of time. Therefore, Name of AIMH expects that Endorsement applicants will have received the majority of their hours (24 clock hour minimum for Infant/Early Childhood Family Specialist and 50 clock hours for Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist and Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor-Clinical) to come from just one source with the balance coming from no more than one other source.

Some applicants may have special circumstances, e.g., if the program supervisor changed or if the applicant moved positions. Exceptions regarding the number of RSC providers should be discussed with the Endorsement Coordinator.

I have a co-worker who has earned Endorsement as an Infant Mental Health Specialist. Can he provide the hours of reflective supervision I need for Endorsement?

Peer supervision (defined as colleagues meeting together without an identified supervisor/consultant to guide the reflective process), while valuable for many experienced practitioners, does not meet the RSC criteria for Endorsement.  The provider of reflective supervision is charged with holding the emotional content of the cases presented.  The ability to do so is compromised when the provider is a peer of the presenter.  Unnecessary complications can arise when the provider of reflective supervision has concerns about a peer’s ability to serve a particular family due to the peer’s emotional response AND the provider and peer share office space, etc.

Training

I have attended well over 30 hours of in-service training; should I submit every in-service training I’ve ever attended?

You will include as many hours of relationship-based in-service training and/or continuing education as necessary to document that the competencies (as specified in Competency Guidelines) have been met.

You will list which specific knowledge/skill areas are covered at each training, e.g., attachment, separation, and loss; cultural competence; etc.  For a training to count toward Endorsement at least one competency must have been covered.  It is important to remember that Endorsement reflects training specialization in the promotion of culturally sensitive, relationship-based practice promoting social and emotional well-being in the first years of life or infant and early childhood mental health.

Although the minimum requirement is 30 hours of in-service training, we expect Endorsement applicants to document that they have achieved competency in almost all of the knowledge/skill areas via their college course work, on-the-job training, in-service training opportunities, and reflective supervision/consultation.

To demonstrate that the full range of competencies have been covered:

  • Most IFA/ECFA applicants submit an average of 40 hours of in-service training experiences
  • Most IFS/ECFS applicants submit an average of 50 hours of in-service training experiences
  • Most IMHS/ECMHS applicants submit an average of 75 hours of in-service training experiences
  • Most IMHM/ECMHM applicants submit an average of 75 hours of in-service training experiences

How do I know when my EASy application demonstrates enough to show a competency area has been met?

This varies greatly depending on many factors including how long ago you took college courses, how specific the course or training is to infant and early childhood mental health, number of hours, etc.  That said, you can use the Competencies page of your EASy application to help you determine this.  This page is intended to be used as a “self-study” to help you assess your education and in-service training experiences and determine what additional specialized training might be necessary to meet the competencies and earn Endorsement.  You are encouraged to review this “self-study” with an advisor, endorsed colleague, supervisor, mentor, or provider of RSC before submitting your application as an informal review.  Someone who has been through the Endorsement process themselves will have important and beneficial feedback to share with you!

At least one trained application reviewer will carefully examine all the material in your application including in-service training record, and reference rating forms.  An application reviewer will be looking most closely at the competency areas under Theoretical Foundations, Direct Service Skills, and Reflection.  For the areas of Theoretical Foundations (including pregnancy & early parenthood; infant/very young child development & behavior; attachment, separation, trauma, & loss; cultural competence; etc.) and the areas of Direct Service Skills (including observation & listening; screening & assessment; etc.) competency must be documented by course work and/or in-service training.  That is, work experience alone is not enough to document competency in areas such as attachment, separation, trauma, & loss or screening & assessment.

How far back can I go when including trainings that meet criteria for Endorsement?

There is no limit on how long ago the training was attended to be counted toward requirements.  Some applicants may have been in the field for many years and are encouraged to include all the trainings that have shaped their practice in infant, early childhood-family work.  However, it is not necessary to submit a comprehensive list of every training ever attended. The list should reflect a balance of breadth and depth across the competencies and the promotion of infant and early childhood mental health.

Are CoAIMH sponsored trainings eligible for Endorsement?

The training does not need to be sponsored by CoAIMH to be eligible to count toward your minimum for Endorsement. In fact, many trainings that you attend for professional licensing or agency requirements may also qualify for Endorsement (e.g., an ethics training for social workers, Part C training about family-centered planning, or doula training, to name only a few).

A specialized training that is eligible for Endorsement should meet the following criteria:

  1. Is culturally sensitive, relationship-focused and promotes infant and early childhood mental health
  2. Relates to one or more of the knowledge/skill areas in the Competency Guidelines
  3. Is specific to the Endorsement category for which you are applying

Are there any in-service trainings, conferences or courses that are mandatory while working toward Endorsement?

No, however, we strongly recommend that you carefully review the Competency Guidelines to identify the knowledge/skill areas for the Endorsement category for which you are applying. We expect applicants to document competency in these areas either through college course work, on-the-job training, in-service training opportunities, and RSC. It is important to seek out in-service training/conference offerings that will fill in any competency gaps you might have. Some skill areas (such as empathy and compassion, self-awareness) will be documented in the three reference ratings that you will include with your application.

Trainings that might not meet criteria would be focused primarily on school-aged children, adolescents, or the elderly.

Work

What is the difference between the specialized work experiences that meet criteria for Infant/Early Childhood and Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist?

Infant Family Specialist work experience is typically broader and encompasses many of the ways that applicants might work with the families of infants and toddlers including case management, Part C service coordination, home visiting, parent education, and family support.

Infant Mental Health Specialist work experiences include the following interventions: advocacy, developmental guidance, emotional support, concrete assistance, and parent-infant/very young child relationship-based therapies and practices (e.g., Infant Parent Psychotherapy).  These therapies and practices are intended to explore issues related to attachment, separation, trauma, and unresolved losses as they affect the development, behavior, and care of the infant/very young child.   Competence as an IMHS builds with supervised work experience over time with services delivered to the families of infants and toddlers that are relationship-focused and culturally sensitive with an emphasis on examining the role of relationships in reflective supervision.

Early Childhood Family Specialist work experience is typically broader and encompasses many of the ways that applicants might work with the families of young children (3 up to 6-years of age) including case management, home visiting, parent education, and family support.

Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist work experiences include the following interventions: advocacy, developmental guidance, emotional support, concrete assistance, and parent-infant/very young child relationship-based therapies and practices (e.g., Child Parent Psychotherapy).  These therapies and practices are intended to explore issues related to attachment, separation, trauma, and unresolved losses as they affect the development, behavior, and care of the young child.  Competence as an ECMHS builds with supervised work experience over time with services delivered to the families of young children (3 up to 6-years of age) that are relationship-focused and culturally sensitive with an emphasis on examining the role of relationships in reflective supervision.

I am Bachelor’s prepared and work in an infant/toddler classroom. I receive reflective supervision regarding the infants/toddlers and their families. Do I qualify for Infant Family Specialist?

CoAIMH does not count classroom experience toward the specialized work experience requirement for Infant Family Specialist mainly because, while a focus on social emotional development is one of the roles, it is not the primary role of an infant/toddler teacher.  Quality early care and education settings certainly use opportunities in the daily routine to promote social and emotional development, but are also charged with feeding, diapering/toileting, care, safety, and curriculum development that promotes all domains of development.  The primary work of most early care & education settings is not supporting the relationships that surround the infant/toddler.  It is our hope that early care & education providers, especially those who pursue and earn Endorsement, do work with infant and early childhood mental health principles in mind, which is why the competencies that are required for Infant Family Associate are nearly identical to those required for Infant Family Specialist.  Experience in an early care & education setting is valuable and can be counted toward meeting the requirements for Endorsement as an Infant Family Associate.

Does work experience with pregnant women and families count towards the work experience requirement for Infant Family Specialist and Infant Mental Health Specialist?

Yes, work with pregnant women and families does count towards the required work experience for IFS and IMHS.  However, the applicant’s work experience must ALSO include work with infants, toddlers, and their families.

Exam

What is the format of the exam?

There are two parts to the Endorsement exam.

Part One (60 Multiple Choice Questions – 90 minutes)

The multiple-choice, or quantitative, section is primarily focused on infant and early childhood mental health knowledge specific to work with infants, young children, and their families.  Most questions will be related to direct service, but there will be some questions related to reflective supervision/consultation, policy, and research. The multiple-choice section is the same for all Specialist and Mentor applicants. Knowledge gained through course work, specialized in-service training, and self-study will be most useful in this section of the exam.  IMH-E® applicants are expected to have knowledge on pregnant women, infants, young children (up to age 3), and families. ECMH-E® applicants are expected to have knowledge on pregnant women, infants, young children (up to age 6), and families.

Part Two (Vignettes – 90 minutes)

The qualitative section will ask for responses to vignettes. This section is intended to measure the applicant’s capacity to apply their knowledge of IECMH principles into practice and to demonstrate a reflective, relationship-based approach.  While all of the competency areas are important, the ones under the Reflection, Thinking, and Working with Others domains are important to the qualitative section for Specialists and Mentors – Clinical.

The Administration domain is the primary focus of the Policy exam. Policy applicants are asked to demonstrate a capacity to promote IECMH principles and practices within and across systems.

The Research & Evaluation domain is the primary focus of the Research/Faculty exam.  In the Research/Faculty exam, one scenario is more specific to teaching; the other scenario is more specific to empirical research. Research/Faculty applicants will demonstrate a commitment to IECMH principles and practices related to research or course planning and instruction.

What primary topics are covered in the multiple-choice portion of the test?

The multiple-choice questions are related to the knowledge and skill areas of the competencies as indicated in the Competency Guidelines, such as:

  • Attachment separation, trauma, grief, and loss
  • Pregnancy, infant and young child development and behavior
  • Relationship-based therapeutic practice
  • Infant mental health screening and assessment
  • Disorders of infancy/early childhood
  • Cultural competence
  • Reflective practice

How should I study for the exam?

Studying for the test will vary from person to person. If you are currently engaged in relationship-based practice with infants, young children, and their families, receive reflective supervision and have consistently updated your knowledge and skills through specialized in-service training or enrollment in university or college course work specific to infancy, early parenthood, and infant and early childhood mental health, you will most likely be very well prepared. If you have not engaged in a great deal of clinical practice or attended in-service trainings or university-based coursework specific to the promotion of infant and early childhood mental health, you will likely find the exam challenging.

What happens if I do not pass the exam?

A passing score on Part 1 (multiple choice) of the exam is 80%.  Applicants who receive a score of less than 80% will be invited to take the exam again in one year.  In order to carefully protect the exam materials, applicants will not receive specific feedback related to the questions missed on Part 1.  Applicants who do not receive a passing score on Part 2 (response to vignettes/scenarios) will be provided specific feedback based on exam reviewers’ remarks.  Those applicants will be invited to take the exam again in one year.

Renewal

In order to renew Endorsement annually, the following is required:

  • On-going membership in CoAIMH or IMH Association Membership
  • 15 clock hours of training related to culturally-sensitive, relationship-focused practice promoting infant and early childhood mental health.
  • 12 clock hours of RSC annually for professionals endorsed at IFS/ECFS, IFRS/ECFRS, IMHS/ECMHS, and IMHM-C/ECMHM-C*

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“CoAIMH creates opportunities for early childhood professionals to reflect, learn and grow.”

“CoAIMH has been the glue to keeping me grounded in Infant Mental Health, providing access to longstanding professional development, and reflective supervision. This Through CoAIMH, I continue to develop my awareness and grow my capacity to work with and support building strong and healthy relationships with the children and families I work with as well as the professional educators who care for infants and toddlers in our Early Care and Education system.”

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