Overview
Endorsement by the Infant/Toddler Mental Health Coalition of Arizona (ITMHCA) verifies that an applicant has attained a level of education as specified, participated in specialized in-service trainings, engaged in professional work related to infants and toddlers, obtained reflective supervision/consultation from mentors or supervisors, and acquired knowledge to promote the delivery of high quality, culturally sensitive, relationship-based services to infants, toddlers, parents, other caregivers and families.

Click here for a list of ITMHCA Members who have received their Endorsement.

Recognition of ITMHCA Endorsement tells employers, parents, health and legal practitioners, and insurance providers that the person endorsed has expertise related to the social and emotional development of infants and young children in families. ITMHCA endorses professionals from many disciplines at the following four levels: Infant Family Associate, Infant Family Specialist, Infant Mental Health Specialist, and Infant Mental Health Mentor. Each Level recognizes knowledge, training and conformance with best practice standards. Of additional importance, the ITMHCA Endorsement offers individuals in the infant and family field a professional development plan that focuses on cultural sensitivity, early emotional development, and relationships.

ITMHCA's mission is to promote and support nurturing relationships for all infants and toddlers. The ITMHCA Endorsement for culturally sensitive, relationship-based practice supports the mission, supports service providers/professionals, and, most importantly, supports infants and toddlers and their families.

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

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. See Endorsement Matrix.

Prerequisites for Application

1. Work experience with infants, toddlers, parents, other caregivers and families.
2. Training/Education as specified and related to infants, toddlers, parents, other caregivers and families; and,
3. Access to Reflective Supervision for applicants at Levels II-IV.

Steps to Endorsement
There are five steps to the ITMHCA Endorsement Process:

• Inquiry
• Application
• Preparation of a Portfolio
• Documentation of Competencies
• Endorsement

Each step is summarized and described in detail for each of four Levels in the attached materials.

Continuing Endorsement
ITMHCA requires service providers/professionals who have successfully completed the ITMHCA Endorsement at all levels to continue membership in an infant mental health association and to participate annually in 15 hours of culturally sensitive, relationship-based training experiences, approved by the organization, that promote infant mental health practice.

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