What is Endorsement®?
I/ECMH Endorsement® is an internationally-recognized credential that demonstrates specialized knowledge and expertise for professionals working with or on behalf of infants, toddlers, and families with young children.
NYS-AIMH Endorsement® serves as one of the first and most comprehensive efforts in the country to define best practice and to guide professional growth at multiple levels and across disciplines in the field of infant and early childhood mental health. NYS-AIMH Endorsement® promotes culturally sensitive, relationship-focused practice and is supported nationally by the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health.
Categories
Endorsement categories are not hierarchical. Instead, they recognize skills, knowledge, training, and scope of work / job responsibilities that align with the best practice standards.
Each Endorsement category is designed to capture the different perspectives in this multidisciplinary field of I/ECMH.
NYS-AIMH offers Infant Mental Health Endorsement® (IMH-E®) for those working with prenatal – age three and Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement® (ECMH-E®) for those who work with ages 3-6. Endorsement reflects each professional’s scope of work in the following categories:
Infant/Early Childhood Family Associate
Infant/Early Childhood Family Specialist
Infant/Early Childhood Family Reflective Supervisor – NEW!
Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist
Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor :: Clinical. Policy. Research/Faculty.
1 Family Associate applicants need to meet the Education OR the Work requirement they do not need to meet both.
2 Family Associate applicants: volunteer experience may meet the work criterion if it was a) supervised experience with women during pregnancy or with infants, toddlers, & families AND b) included specialized training. Examples include CASA, Doula, Child Life Specialist.
FEES:
Non-refundable Registration Fees:
$15 for Family Associate & Family Specialist
$25 for Family Reflective Supervisor, Mental Health Specialist & Mental Health Mentor.
Note: endorsement fees and policies will be reviewed annually and may be subject to change.
EXAM INFORMATION:
Application deadline for Mental Health Specialists and Mental Health Mentors:
Jan 21 for Spring Exam
July 21 for Fall Exam
Endorsement Exam Preparation: What to Expect, How to Prepare, and Resources
