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ITMHCA Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Based
Practice Promoting Infant Mental Health

Intro | Competencies/Requirements | FAQ | Apply | Documents | Contact Us

Introduction

The Infant/Toddler Mental Health Coalition of Arizona (ITMHCA) is an interdisciplinary, professional organization established to nurture and promote the optimal development of infants, toddlers, and families through relationship-based training and advocacy efforts. Incorporated in 1996, ITMHCA has offered infant mental health training opportunities to individuals and groups for over 13 years. Over 300 professionals attend the ITMHCA Risk to Resiliency Institute each year and hundreds of service providers have participated in local or regional trainings designed to build a more skillful and confident work force.

Now ITMHCA has expanded its professional activities to include Endorsement of practitioners with the specialized knowledge and experience in working with infants and toddlers. ITMHCA has joined with many other states around the U.S. to implement the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health (MI-AIMH) Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Based Practice Promoting Infant Mental Health. The Endorsement is competency-based. These competencies have been identified and agreed upon by hundreds of service providers and professionals as crucial for effective, relationship-based practice beginning in Michigan over 15 years ago.

The intent of the ITMHCA Endorsement is to recognize the professional development of infant and family service providers within the diverse and rapidly expanding infant and family field. Endorsement by the Infant/Toddler Mental Health Coalition of Arizona will verify that an applicant has attained a specified level of functioning and understanding based on the competencies.

The ITMHCA Endorsement will offer individuals in the infant and family field a professional development plan that focuses on knowledge, best practice skills, and supervised work experiences that lead to increased confidence and credibility within the infant and family field. Of additional importance, the ITMHCA Endorsement will inform prospective employers, agencies and peers about culturally sensitive, relationship-based practice promoting infant mental health. Those who earn the ITMHCA Endorsement will be recognized for their education, training, leadership roles and work experiences within a rapidly growing field.

Prerequisite Requirements for application for ITMHCA Endorsement

  1. Membership in ITMHCA or an infant mental health association in another state;
  2. Training/Education related to infants, toddlers, parents, other caregivers and families; and
  3. Experience working with infants, toddlers, parents, or other caregivers and families, either in direct service or policy, research or education.

There are four levels of competency within the ITMHCA Endorsement

1. Infant Family Associate
2. Infant Family Specialist
3. Infant Mental Health Specialist
4. Infant Mental Health Mentor

Requirements at each level recognize the educational experiences, in-service training experiences, and work experiences appropriate for best service outcomes for infants, toddlers, and families.

Fees

Endorsement Fee Schedule

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Application Fee
$ 15.00
$ 15.00
$ 25.00
$ 25.00
Endorsement Fee
$ 25.00
$ 50.00
$200.00
$300.00
TOTAL FEE
$ 40.00
$ 65.00
$225.00
$325.00

The Application fee accompanies the Preliminary Application. The Endorsement fee accompanies the completed portfolio packet. Scholarships may be available to assist with the Endorsement fee - download scholarship application form (Word file).

Learn more by downloading:

For information or questions: Contact Mary Warren, ITMHCA Endorsement Project Director at ASU, PO Box 873701, Tempe, AZ 85287-3701 or Mary.G.Warren@asu.edu or 602-370-1653.

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ITMHCA gratefully acknowledges support from the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health (MI-AIMH) and the W. K. Kellogg Foundation toward the creation of the Endorsement materials, and from the Lodestar Foundation toward Arizona implementation.

ITMHCA Endorsement decisions are not made on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, marital status, physical handicap, sexual orientation or any other basis prohibited by state or federal law.