Infant Mental Health Competency and Endorsement® System
A Look into the World of Endorsement®: Voices of the Workforce
The Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health has put together a video, "Voices of the Workforce," that features endorsed professionals from around the world. This is a great opportunity to hear from professionals across disciplines and geographical lines describing what Endorsement® has meant for them. An added bonus is that the video features Wisconsin’s very own Olivia "O" Clark, IECMH-E®, the Family Resource Coordinator at the YWCA Madison (O's clip starts at 17:53).
What is Endorsement®?
Endorsement® for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant Mental Health is an internationally-recognized credential that demonstrates specialized knowledge and expertise for professionals working with or on behalf of children ages 0-6 and their families. Endorsement® serves as one of the first and most comprehensive efforts in the country to define best practice and to guide professional growth, across the career lifespan, in the field of infant and early childhood mental health.
Anyone who works with or on behalf of children ages 0-6 and their families in a range of fields and disciplines can apply for Endorsement®! This includes the fields of early care and education, prevention and early intervention, home visiting, pediatrics, child welfare, mental health, policy and advocacy, research and others. Earning Endorsement® means that a professional has demonstrated a set of Competencies by:
Working professionally with infants, young children and their families
Attaining a level of education as specified
Participating in Competency-based training
Engaging in reflective supervision or consultation
Endorsement® is in addition to and does not replace other licensure, certification, or credentialing. However, any credentialing you have previously obtained may satisfy competencies for Endorsement®.
Why Earn Endorsement®?
Good for You: Enhances your professional credibility and your confidence in working with or on behalf of infants, young children and their families; plus, you’ll gain recognition and belong to a network of professionals in WI.
Good for Babies and Families: Infants, toddlers and families receive culturally sensitive, relationship-based services provided by a workforce that demonstrates a common set of core Competencies.
Good for Communities: Provides assurance to families, agencies, employers and the public at large that the endorsed professional meets high standards of care.
Good for Employers: Verifies that professionals have attained a specified level of functioning and understanding about the promotion of IMH and relationship-based approaches.
Good for Programs: Informs professional development and career planning within an organized framework and creates a competent, high quality workforce leading to desired child/family outcomes.
Good for the Field: Professionalizes the field and ensures consistency of professional standards across programs, no matter the location or discipline.
Which Endorsement® is Right for Me?
The different types of Endorsement® are not hierarchical; instead, they recognize the skills, knowledge, training, and scope of work that align with the best practice standards. For example, someone whose work is focused on policy and advocacy is different from the work of a home visitor who is working within the dyad. Use the flow chart to the right to determine which Endorsement® is most appropriate for your experiences and scope of work.
This tool is to help start your Endorsement® experience. You may find that you don't "fit" perfectly in one track. Please consult with the Endorsement® Coordinator (endorsement@wiaimh.org) for support.
Start Your Endorsement® Application
1. Become a WI-AIMH Member (Membership to an IMH
Association is a requirement of Endorsement®)
2. Determine which Endorsement® is right for you
3. Download the Competencies specific to your Endorsement®
4. Register on EASy
5. Complete and submit the application (see Endorsement® information packets in English and Spanish below)
Do You Provide Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RSC)?
After opening the flow chart make sure to scroll down to explore the different pathways to becoming an Endorsed Reflective Supervisor.
Maintain Your Endorsement®
Endorsement® is maintained by renewing each year. The renewal period opens up within EASY on October 1st and closes December 31st. The renewal period is an opportunity to reflect on your ongoing professional development and growth around the IMH Competencies and relational practices.
Annual Renewal of Endorsement®:
· Renew your WI-AIMH Membership (or other IMH Association)
· Within your Easy Application:
· Read and sign the Agreement and Ethics
· Enter 15 clock hours of training specific to IMH
· 3-hours must be focused on Diversity, Inclusion and Equity
· For RSC providers; 3-hours of RSC training
· Enter 12-hours of RSC received for Family Specialist;
Mental Health Specialist and Mentor-Clinical
· Submit
WI-AIMH Endorsement® Directory
Click here for a list of professionals who are Endorsed in Wisconsin.
What is Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RSC)?
RSC is a critical component of IMH practice. It honors and recognizes the parallel process—the belief and understanding that relationships affect and impact relationships. Research demonstrates that regular, consistent and routine RSC supports effective IMH practice and staff longevity and well-being. Learn more about RSC here!
Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RSC) Registry
Check out WI-AIMH's Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RSC) Provider Registry! By clicking on the image or link to the right, you can view the list of qualified, Endorsed RSC providers who are available to provide individual or group RSC.
