The IAIECMH looks forward to continued growth in fiscal year 2022. The association has supported the Infant Mental Health Endorsement® (IMH-E®) process for a number of years but looks forward to the implementation of the Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement® (ECMH-E®) process in 2022.
Infant Mental Health Endorsement® (IMH-E®) and Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement® (ECMH-E®) are two separate credentials that can be earned by anyone working with, or on behalf of, very young children and their families, with a focus on strengthening and supporting early relationships that are crucial to a child’s social and emotional development. Endorsement® signifies that an applicant has acquired knowledge to promote the delivery of high quality, culturally sensitive, relationship focused services to infants, toddlers, parents, other caregivers and families.
Growing evidence indicates that endorsed professionals are better prepared to support the foundational early development of babies and young children, in the context of their caregiving relationships. In order to support optimal early relational development, support for professional development initiatives in the infant, young child and family workforce is a crucial strategy. Providing services to vulnerable babies, young children and their families, particularly those facing chronic adversity, is challenging and requires a unique set of skills.
COMING IN 2022
The Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement® (ECMH-E®) will expand for professionals serving children and their families aged 3-6.
The ECMH-E® is meant to provide a path to Endorsement® for professionals who are promoting and implementing infant and early childhood mental health principles in their work with or on behalf of children ages 3 up to 6 years old and their families. ECMH-E® is built upon the existing MH-E® structure, e.g. Early Childhood Family Associate, Early Childhood Family Specialist, Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist and Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor, using existing IMH-E® criteria as a template. To support this endorsement process the Iowa Association will continue to support the growth of reflective supervision throughout Iowa. This support includes providing support to those who provide reflective supervision but also those agencies that need supports to offer the model to employees.