Understands and can convey how IECMHC is a mental health specialization and service that is distinct from other activities in which mental health professionals may engage.
Demonstrates an ability to strengthen the capacity of staff working in programs and other settings serving infants, young children, and families to support the social, emotional, and relational health of infants, young children, and families in a range of settings. (In the context of this document, unless otherwise noted “relational health” describes the mutual emotional connections established by healthy interactions between or among infants or young children, early childhood providers, caregivers, family members, and program and other setting staff that contribute to infants’ or young children’s overall mental and physical well-being.)
Partners with families and staff in working to prevent mental health problems from developing or worsening and/or in responding effectively to existing mental health concerns.
Partners with staff and program or other setting and systems leaders to build more equitable systems by addressing implicit bias, increasing positive relationships between early childhood providers and infants and children with different abilities and from diverse racial/ethnic and language backgrounds, monitoring and using disaggregated data to reduce disparities, and developing and implementing new policies that support positive and equitable experiences for all young children.
Unless otherwise noted, the IECMH competencies refer to Infant Family Specialist and Early Childhood Family Specialist. If an “MHS” is noted, this competency is related to Infant Mental Health Specialist and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. “MHM” refers to Infant Mental Health Mentor and Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor.
1A.1. Demonstrates an understanding of IECMHC as an indirect service that helps to build the reflective capacities and relational health of families; staff, and others who work in programs or other settings serving infants, young children, and families; and others who care for or provide services to infants and young children.
Grasps and can convey the difference between IECMHC and modes of intervention that involve direct mental health treatment for infants, young children and/or families.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Unique
Knowledge/Skill Area: Unique
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Unique
1A.2. Understands and can convey the distinction between the role of the IECMH consultant and that of other professionals who support the development of early childhood staff and family capacities (e.g., professional development coaches, health service managers, healthcare consultants, home visitors, early interventionists, therapists, disability coordinators, pediatricians, foster care workers).
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Unique
Knowledge/Skill Area: Unique
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Unique
1A.3. Embraces the idea that IECMHC focuses on promoting infants’ and young children’s positive social and emotional development and behavioral health and reducing racial/ethnic, gender, language, or disability-based disparities in infant and yound child outcomes using a wide-ranging knowledge base that draws from numerous fields of study.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Unique
Knowledge/Skill Area: Unique
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Unique
Unless otherwise noted, the IECMH competencies refer to Infant Family Specialist and Early Childhood Family Specialist. If an “MHS” is noted, this competency is related to Infant Mental Health Specialist and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. “MHM” refers to Infant Mental Health Mentor and Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor.
1B.1. Demonstrates an ability to work in diverse early childhood programs or other settings.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Direct Service Skills
Knowledge/Skill Area: Supportive Counseling (MHS)
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Works with the parent(s) and the infant/young child together, often in the home, in accordance with accepted practice.
1B.2. Considers the influence of program or other setting and organizational functioning on early chilhood providers, families, infants, and young children, and service provision and how this may differ based on race/ethnicity, primarly language or abilities.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge/Skill Area: Cultural Humility
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Applies understanding of cultural competence to communicate effectively, establish positive relationships with families, and demonstrate respect for the uniqueness of each client family’s culture
1B.3. Suggests and/or supports interventions that align with the particular program or other setting in which IECMHC is delivered, which may include programmatic and/or infant- or young child- and family-specific activities.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Unique
Knowledge/Skill Area: Unique
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Unique
1B.4. Offers consultation that reflects and respects the philosophy and model of the program or other setting in which IECMHC is delivered and the community and cultural and historical contexts in which that program or other setting is located and/or functions.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Unique
Knowledge/Skill Area: Planning & Organizing
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Defines, creates a sequence for, and prioritizes tasks necessary to perform role and meet the needs of families
Unless otherwise noted, the IECMH competencies refer to Infant Family Specialist and Early Childhood Family Specialist. If an “MHS” is noted, this competency is related to Infant Mental Health Specialist and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. “MHM” refers to Infant Mental Health Mentor and Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor.
1C.1. Demonstrates an organized approach to the stages of the consultative process (e.g., entering the new environment, establishing mutual expectations for the work, gathering information from and the perspectives of all involved, facilitating the establishment of goals, supporting and assessing progress, righting the course of consultation when necessary, transitioning, ending).
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Planning & Organizing
Knowledge/Skill Area: Planning & Organizing
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Defines, creates a sequence for, and prioritizes tasks necessary to perform role and meet the needs of families.
1C.1. Demonstrates an organized approach to the stages of the consultative process (e.g., entering the new environment, establishing mutual expectations for the work, gathering information from and the perspectives of all involved, facilitating the establishment of goals, supporting and assessing progress, righting the course of consultation when necessary, transitioning, ending).
Essential or important?: Important
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Direct Service Skills
Knowledge/Skill Area: Intervention/Treatment Planning (MHS)
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Interprets and synthesizes information (including family perceptions and priorities) from observations, discussions, and formal & informal assessments to: a) Identify and share with the parent(s) or caregiver(s) the strengths, capacities, needs, and progress of the infant/young child and family/caregiver(s), b) Develop mutually agreed upon service plans incorporating explicit objectives and goals, and c) Formulate clinical recommendations to guide best practice.
1C.2. Demonstrates an ability to support the emotional well-being and relational health of infants and young children, and their caregivers, and promotes a shared and accurate understanding of infant, young child, family, and provider needs. Demonstrates an understanding of how needs may vary based on families’ experiences with racial/ethnic, language or ability inequities.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge/Skill Area: Infant Young Child Development/Behavior
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Supports provision of information, guidance, and support to families related to the development and care of infants and young children to further develop parenting capabilities and the attachment relationship.
1C.2. Demonstrates an ability to support the emotional well-being and relational health of infants and young children, and their caregivers, and promotes a shared and accurate understanding of infant, young child, family, and provider needs. Demonstrates an understanding of how needs may vary based on families’ experiences with racial/ethnic, language or ability inequities.
Essential or important?: Important
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge/Skill Area: Cultural Humility
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Supports development of service plans that account for the unique needs, desires, history, lifestyle, concerns, strengths, resources, and priorities of each infant/young child and family.
1C.3. Maintains accurate and timely records, provides professional documentation, and engages in substantive disaggregated data collection in accordance with a program’s or other settings requirements.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Law, Regulation, and Agency Policy
Knowledge/Skill Area: Agency Policy
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Personally works within the requirements of: Federal and state law, Agency policies & practices, Professional code of conduct.
1C.4. Recognizes when additional mental health and/or other services are warranted, and is able to make culturally responsive, appropriate, and effective referrals across multiple systems.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Systems Expertise
Knowledge/Skill Area: Service Delivery Systems
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Works collaboratively with and makes referrals to other service agencies to ensure that the child(ren) and family receive services for which they are eligible and that the services are coordinated.
1C.4. Recognizes when additional mental health and/or other services are warranted, and is able to make culturally responsive, appropriate, and effective referrals across multiple systems.
Essential or important?: Important
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge/Skill Area: Disorders of Infancy/Early Childhood
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Recognizes risks and disorders of infancy/ early childhood conditions that require the assistance of other professionals from health, mental health, education, and child welfare systems.
Unless otherwise noted, the IECMH competencies refer to Infant Family Specialist and Early Childhood Family Specialist. If an “MHS” is noted, this competency is related to Infant Mental Health Specialist and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. “MHM” refers to Infant Mental Health Mentor and Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor.
1D.1. Can articulate the elements of the “consultative stance,”2F[1] and demonstrates the demeanor and skills embodied by this stance. [1] Johnston, K., & Brinamen, C. (2006). Mental Health Consultation in Child Care: Transforming Relationships with Directors, Staff, and Families. Washington, DC: Zero to Three Press.
Essential or important?: Important
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Unique
Knowledge/Skill Area: Unique
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Unique
1D.2. Demonstrates the ability to engage in a flexible and varied “use of self” based on the unique needs of a program or other setting, its context, and the relationships involved (i.e., in a range of situations, is able to serve as an observer, listener, facilitator, problem-solver, and/or educator).
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Thinking
Knowledge/Skill Area: Solving Problems
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Generates new insights and workable solutions to issues related to effective relationship-focused, family-centered care
1D.2. Demonstrates the ability to engage in a flexible and varied “use of self” based on the unique needs of a program or other setting, its context, and the relationships involved (i.e., in a range of situations, is able to serve as an observer, listener, facilitator, problem-solver, and/or educator).
Essential or important?: Important
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Reflection
Knowledge/Skill Area: Self Awareness
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Seeks a high degree of agreement between self-perceptions and the way others perceive him/her
1D.3 Understands implicit bias and its manifestations, and systemic racism, and how they affect adult behavior and the experiences of infants, young children, and families from historically marginalized and oppressed communities. Explores how principles of racial equity are inextricably linked and aligned to the 10 elements of the consultative stance.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Direct Service Skills
Knowledge/Skill Area: Parent-Infant/Young Child Relationship-Based Therapies & Practices (MHS)
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Attends and responds to parental histories of loss as they affect the care of the infant/young child, the parents' development, the emotional health of the infant/young child, and the developing relationship
1D.3 Understands implicit bias and its manifestations, and systemic racism, and how they affect adult behavior and the experiences of infants, young children, and families from historically marginalized and oppressed communities. Explores how principles of racial equity are inextricably linked and aligned to the 10 elements of the consultative stance.
Essential or important?: Important
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge/Skill Area: Psychotherapeutic & Behavioral Theories of Change
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview):
1D.4. Recognizes and maintains appropriate professional boundaries and role as defined by discipline (e.g., psychology, social work, counseling) and scope of practice.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Law, Regulation and Agency Policy
Knowledge/Skill Area: Ethical Practice
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Maintains appropriate personal boundaries with infants/young children and families served, as established by the employing agency
Unless otherwise noted, the IECMH competencies refer to Infant Family Specialist and Early Childhood Family Specialist. If an “MHS” is noted, this competency is related to Infant Mental Health Specialist and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. “MHM” refers to Infant Mental Health Mentor and Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor.
1E.1. Actively participates in clinical consultation and/or reflective supervision that includes a) Analysis of the dynamic interactions between participants (e.g., family members, teachers, administrators, early childhood providers, consultants, institutions), b) Analysis of how race/ethnicity, primary language, culture, abilities, disposition, and life circumstances influence those interactions, and c) Engagement in explorations of the possible challenges to developmentally supportive activities.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Reflection
Knowledge/Skill Area: Contemplation
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Consults regularly with supervisor, consultants, peers to understand own capacities and needs, as well as the capacities and needs of families
1E.1. Actively participates in clinical consultation and/or reflective supervision that includes a) Analysis of the dynamic interactions between participants (e.g., family members, teachers, administrators, early childhood providers, consultants, institutions), b) Analysis of how race/ethnicity, primary language, culture, abilities, disposition, and life circumstances influence those interactions, and c) Engagement in explorations of the possible challenges to developmentally supportive activities.
Essential or important?: Important
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Reflection
Knowledge/Skill Area: Self Awareness
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Regularly examines own thoughts, feelings, strengths, and growth areas; discussed issues, concerns, actions to take with supervisor, consultants, or peers
1E.2. Participates in regular administrative supervision that includes broad discussion of job-related responsibilities, work quality, documentation, disaggregated data collection, data collection, and other related issues.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Law, Regulation & Agency Policy
Knowledge/Skill Area: Government, Law, & Regulation
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Personally works within the requirements of: Federal and state law, Agency policies and practices, Professional code of conduct
1E.2. Participates in regular administrative supervision that includes broad discussion of job-related responsibilities, work quality, documentation, disaggregated data collection, data collection, and other related issues.
Essential or important?: Important
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Communicating
Knowledge/Skill Area: Writing
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Writes clearly, concisely, and with the appropriate style (business, conversational, etc) in creating notes, reports, and correspondence
Unless otherwise noted, the IECMH competencies refer to Infant Family Specialist and Early Childhood Family Specialist. If an “MHS” is noted, this competency is related to Infant Mental Health Specialist and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. “MHM” refers to Infant Mental Health Mentor and Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor.
1F.1. Adheres to the ethics and standards of professional conduct (e.g., the National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics), and, if licensed, adheres to the requirements for maintenance of licensure.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Law, Regulation & Agency Policy
Knowledge/Skill Area: Government, Law, & Regulation
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Personally works within the requirements of: Federal and state law, Agency policies and practices, Professional code of conduct
1F.2. Discusses confidentiality and the limits of confidentiality with program or other setting staff and families at the start of services, and, as circumstances indicate, revisits these topics during the course of consultative work.
Essential or important?: Important
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Law, Regulation & Agency Policy
Knowledge/Skill Area: Ethical Practice
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Practices confidentiality of each family’s information in all contexts with exception only when making necessary reports to protect the safety of a family member (eg, Children’s Protective Services, Duty to Warn)
1F.3. Carries out the mandate to report suspected child abuse and neglect, and supports others in their responsibilities as mandated reporters.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Law, Regulation & Agency Policy
Knowledge/Skill Area: Government, Law & Regulation
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Promptly and appropriately reports harm or threatened harm to a child's health or welfare to Children’s Protective Services
1F.4. Seeks continuing education experiences to enhance knowledge and skills, and stays apprised of new research, scholarship, and promising practices in IECMHC.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Reflection
Knowledge/Skill Area: Personal/Professional Development
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Utilizes training and research resources to enhance service effectiveness; Keeps up-to-date on current and future trends in infant/young child development and infant mental health practice
1F.5. Understands and explores how IECMHC aligns with the ‘Diversity-Informed Tenets for Work with Infants, Children and Families.’
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Unique
Knowledge/Skill Area: Unique
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Unique
Unless otherwise noted, the IECMH competencies refer to Infant Family Specialist and Early Childhood Family Specialist. If an “MHS” is noted, this competency is related to Infant Mental Health Specialist and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. “MHM” refers to Infant Mental Health Mentor and Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor.
1G.1. Establishes and maintains partnerships with programs and agencies within the community serving infants, young children, and families (e.g., those involving Early Head Start, Head Start, child care, family support, early intervention, mental health treatment, child welfare) to collaborate on behalf of infants, young children, and families.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Working with Others
Knowledge/Skill Area: Collaborating
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Collaborates and shares information with staff of child care, foster care, community-based programs, and other service agencies to ensure effective, coordinated services
Unless otherwise noted, the IECMH competencies refer to Infant Family Specialist and Early Childhood Family Specialist. If an “MHS” is noted, this competency is related to Infant Mental Health Specialist and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. “MHM” refers to Infant Mental Health Mentor and Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor.
1H.1. Partners with staff, program, other setting, and systems leaders to build more equitable systems for infants and young children by understanding the role and importance of ongoing, personal transformation; discussing explicit and implicit bias and intervening to address its behavioral manifestation; increasing positive relationships between early childhood providers, infants, young children, and families with different abilities and from different racial/ethnic and language backgrounds; continuously monitoring and using disaggregated data to identify and address disparities; and advocating for and supporting the development and implementation of policies that support positive and equitable experiences for all infants and young children.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Administration (MHM)
Knowledge/Skill Area: Program development (MHM)
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Promotes relationship-focused service and infant/young child- and family-centered practice by identifying options and opportunities; Partners with agencies, programs, legislative bodies, and/or service systems to develop new services and/or achieve improvements; Advocates for funds/programming for effective service delivery to families outside of the dominant culture; Applies research findings to culturally sensitive, relationship-focused policies promoting infant mental health; Utilizes statistics and other data to assess service effectiveness and appropriate use of resources