The Infant Mental Health Endorsement® (IMH-E®) and the Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement® (ECMH-E®) are grounded in a set of competencies designed to support and enhance culturally sensitive, relationship focused practice within the framework of infant and early childhood mental health. 

Working with our youngest citizens requires specialized training and experience.  IMH-E® certifies expertise in working with children ages 0–3 and their families. ECMH-E® certifies expertise in working with children ages 3–6 and their families.

An Endorsement applicant demonstrates they have achieved a set of competencies through education, work, specialized training, and reflective supervision experiences. Both IMH-E® and ECMH-E® are relevant for professionals across disciplines including early care and education, prevention and early intervention, home visitation, healthcare, child welfare, mental health, policy, academia, and others.

Individuals apply for the Endorsement category that best matches their scope of practice. Endorsement is available across four practice specialties (Promotion, Prevention/Early Intervention, Clinical Intervention/Treatment, Macro).

Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement®

• Infant/Early Childhood Family Associate: Promotion

• Infant/Early Childhood Family Specialist and Infant Family Reflective Supervisor: Prevention/Early Intervention

• Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist: Clinical Intervention/Treatment

• Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor: Macro

The materials supporting the Infant Mental Health Association of Maryland/DC Competency Guidelines are copyrighted by the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health (MI-AIMH). The Infant Mental Health Association of Maryland/DC 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.