Endorsement Requirements -
Infant Mental Health Specialist (LEVEL 3)
Education
Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), Master of Education (MEd), Doctorate in Education (EdD), Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Psychology (Psyd), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) or other degree specific to one's professional focus in infant mental health; university certificate program and/or course work in areas such as infant and toddler development, family-centered practice, cultural sensitivity, family relationships and dynamics, assessment and intervention, in accordance with OK-AIMH Training guidelines and Endorsement Competencies. Official transcript(s) required
Training
Minimum 30 clock hours of relationship-based education and training pertaining to the promotion of social-emotional development and/or the practice of infant mental health. Applicants will include as many hours as necessary to document that competencies (as specified in Competency Guidelines) have been met.
Professional Reference Ratings
Total of three professional reference ratings from:
- One rating from current program supervisor, teacher, trainer or consultant
- One from person providing reflective supervision/consultation
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Third rating may be from another supervisor, teacher, trainer or consultant; colleague; or supervisee (if candidate is a supervisor).
Code of Ethics and Endorsement Agreement
Signed
Documentation of Competencies
- Professional portfolio will document that competencies have been adequately met through course work, in-service training, and reflective supervision/consultation experiences.
- Successful completion of the OK-AIMH written examination
Professional Membership
Membership in OK-AIMH or another infant mental health association
Requirements: Preparation of a Portfolio and Written Exam
Continuing Education
Education and Training
Minimum of 15 clock hours per year of relationship-based education and training, pertaining to the promotion of social-emotional development and/or the practice of infant mental health (e.g. regional training, related course work at colleges or universities, infant mental health conference attendance). For those who earn Endorsement at Level III and provide reflective supervision or consultation to others, at least 3 of the hours of specialized training must be about reflective supervision or consultation.Documentation of training hours submitted with membership renewal.
Professional Membership
Annual renewal of membership in OK-AIMH or another infant mental health association
Continuing Endorsement Recommendations
Reflective Consultation
OK-AIMH recommends that all Endorsed professionals seek reflection consultation
Copyright 2002, 2011, MI-AIMH
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Specialized Work Experience
2 years, post-graduate, supervised work experiences providing culturally sensitive, relationship-focused, infant mental health services. This specialized work experience must be with both the infant/toddler and his/her biological, foster, or adoptive parent* on behalf of the parent-infant relationship. Infant mental health services will include concrete assistance, advocacy, emotional support, developmental guidance, early relationship assessment, and parent-infant/young child relationship-based therapies and practices. 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/young child.
OR
1 year supervised graduate internship with direct service expeirence in providing culturally sensitive, relationship-based, infant mental health services and 1 year, post-graduate, supervised work experience as described above.
OR
1 year supervised graduate internship with direct service expeirence in providing culturally sensitive, relationship-based, infant mental health services and 1 year, post-graduate, supervised work experience as described above.
Reflective Supervision/Consultation
Relationship-focused, relfective supervision/consultation with an approved supervisor/consultant, individually or in a group, while providing services to infants, toddlers and families. Minimum: 50 clock hours within a 1-year minimum and 2-year maximum time frame.
*Infant mental health services that meet Level III specialized work criteria are provided by professionals whose role includes intervention and treatment of the infant/toddler's primary caregiving relationship, (i.e., biological, foster, or adoptive parent); these experiences are critical to the development of a specialization in infant mental health. Infant Family Specialist, Level II is broader and includes practitioners whose work experiences come solely from programs that provide education/support/consultation to infant & early childhood providers or whose intent is primarily to educate parents.
