What is Infant Mental Health

Endorsement®

And Why Should I Care?

WAEYC ConferenceSeattle, WA

October 30.2015

Stacey Frymier, MA, LMHC, ATR, IMH-E®(IV-C)WA-AIMH Endorsement and Training Coordinator

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?

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

Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health (League of

States)

The Endorsement - IMH-E®

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

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. in infant/family field

2 yrs. post-masters IMH practice

3 years as IMH practice leader

In-Service Training

Minimum 30 hrs.

Minimum 30 hrs.

Minimum 30 hrs.

Minimum 30 hrs.

References 3 3 3 3

Reflective Supervision

Not required Minimum: 24 hours

Minimum: 50 hours

Clinical: Minimum 50 hours

Code of Ethics & Agreement

Signed Signed Signed Signed

Written Exam No No Yes Yes

Membership Yes Yes Yes Yes

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

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

What it means to professionalsWhen 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.”

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.”

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

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

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