Collaborates with families and/or program or other setting staff to understand and respond effectively to an infant’s, young child’s, or caregiver’s mental health needs, behavioral difficulties, and/or developmental challenges. Partners respectfully with families and staff to understand the context and nature of a particular family’s life to enhance the infant’s or young child’s and family’s well-being.
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.
5A.1. Demonstrates an ability to honor family strengths, perspectives, and expertise, and assists others in valuing and supporting family relationships as the first and primary relationships in an infant's or young child’s life.
Essential or important?: Important
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge/Skill Area: Infant/Young Child & Family-Centered Practices
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Supports and reinforces each parent’s strengths, emerging parenting competencies, and positive parent-infant/young children interactions and relationships
5A.2. Supports program or other setting staff in developing trusted and respectful relationships with families.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Working with Others
Knowledge/Skill Area: Coaching & Mentoring (MHM)
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): As an expert resource, provides guidance and feedback to novice staff, graduate students and other colleagues as requested
5A.2. Supports program or other setting staff in developing trusted and respectful relationships with families.
Essential or important?: Important
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Direct Service Skills
Knowledge/Skill Area: Responding with Empathy
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Establishes trusting relationshp that supports the parent(s) and infant/young child in their relationship with each other and facilitates needed change
5A.3. Gathers (or supports staff in helping to gather) family- and infant- or young child-related information in a manner that is nonthreatening, respectful, collaborative, and supportive.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Direct Service Skills
Knowledge/Skill Area: Observation and Listening
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Observes the parent(s) or caregiver(s) and infant/young child together to understand the nature of their relationship, culture, developmental strengths, and capacities for change
5A.3. Gathers (or supports staff in helping to gather) family- and infant- or young child-related information in a manner that is nonthreatening, respectful, collaborative, and supportive.
Essential or important?: Important
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Direct Service Skills
Knowledge/Skill Area: Screening and Assessment
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Conducts observations, discussions, and formal and informal assessments of infant/young child development, in accordance with established practice
5A.4. Facilitates understanding, mutual respect, and direct communication between families and staff and among members of the early childhood community.
Essential or important?: Important
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Working with Others
Knowledge/Skill Area: Building & Maintaining Relationships (MHM)
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Builds and maintains effective interpersonal relationships with a broad range of people including families, colleagues, agency and community representatives, and/or legislators, as the individual role requires by: a) Being proactive in establishing connections, b) Sharing information, and c) Identifying and reaching out to families of cultures not being served or being underserved
5A.5. Engages warmly and flexibly with ECE/HV staff and families in order to consider the meaning of a particular behavior.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Working with Others
Knowledge/Skill Area: Supporting Others/Mentoring
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Works with and responds to families and colleagues in a tactful and understanding manner
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.
5B.1. Collaborates with families and staff to develop a working hypothesis about the meaning of an infant's or young child’s behavior, including social and emotional, relational, cultural, and family factors; physical and/or medical issues; environmental factors and setting events (such as a history of exposure to trauma); and/or developmental vulnerabilities that may play a role in that behavior. Recognizes the need to revise that hypothesis, over time, as new information emerges and in the face of conflicting and/or additional information.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Direct Service Skills
Knowledge/Skill Area: Intervention/Treatment Planning
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Interprets information (including family perceptions and priorities) from observations, discussions, and formal and informal assessments to: a) Identify and share feedback with the parent(s) or caregiver(s) the strengths, capacities, needs and progress of the infant/young child and family/caregivers, and b) Develop mutually agreed upon service plans incorporating explicit objectives and goals
5B.2. Demonstrates an ability to pay close attention to the relationships and interactions between staff, family members, and the infant or young child—and between that infant or young child and his or her peers—and to consider how those interactions may impact infant or young child and family well-being.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Reflection
Knowledge/Skill Area: Parallel Process (MHS)
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Recognizes and responds appropriately to parallel process
5B.2. Demonstrates an ability to pay close attention to the relationships and interactions between staff, family members, and the infant or young child—and between that infant or young child and his or her peers—and to consider how those interactions may impact infant or young child and family well-being.
Essential or important?: Important
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Direct Service Skills
Knowledge/Skill Area: Observation & Listening
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Formally and informally observes the parent(s) and/or caregiver(s) and infant/young child to understand the nature of their relationship, developmental strenghts, and capacities for change
5B.3. Considers and encourages others to consider information from families (including information about family history and culture), from staff and from observations and documentation (e.g., health records, anecdotal notes, assessments, reports).
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge/Skill Area: Infant/Young Child & Family-Centered Practice
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Develops service plans that take into account the unique needs, desires, history, lifestyle, concerns, strengths, resources, cultural community, and priorities of each infant/young child and family
5B.4. Uses a variety of observation strategies, tools, and recording techniques to gain insight into an infant's or young child’s behavior and the relational influences on their functioning.
Essential or important?: Important
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Direct Service Skills
Knowledge/Skill Area: Observation and Listening (MHM)
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Interprets information (including family perceptions & priorities) from observations, discussions, and formal and informal assessments to a) identify and share feedback with the parent(s) or caregiver(s) the strengths, capacities, needs and progress of the infant/young child and family/caregivers and b) develop mutually agreed upon service plans incorporating explicit objectives and goals
5B.5. Helps families and staff understand all the influences on their view of the infant or young child (e.g., cultural, historical, and interpersonal factors; exposure of the infant, young child, or family to trauma; programmatic issues).
Essential or important?: Important
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.
5C.1. Integrates information and, considering both context and available resources, collaborates with staff and families to develop a plan that addresses infant or young child, family, and staff needs in a culturally sensitive manner. Demonstrates theh demenor and skills embodied by this stance.
Essential or important?: Essential
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Direct Service Skills
Knowledge/Skill Area: Screening & Assessment
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Conducts formal and informal assessments of infant/young child development, in accordance with established practice
5C.1. Integrates information and, considering both context and available resources, collaborates with staff and families to develop a plan that addresses infant or young child, family, and staff needs in a culturally sensitive manner. Demonstrates theh demenor and skills embodied by this stance.
Essential or important?: Important
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Theoretical foundations
Knowledge/Skill Area: Infant/Young Child & Family-Centered Practice
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Develops service plans that take into account the unique needs, desires, history, lifestyle, concerns, strengths, resources, cultural community, and priorities of each infant/young child and family
5C.2. Assists and supports families and staff so that collaboratively developed plans for infants or young children involve interventions that reflect best practice (i.e., are developmentally appropriate and, when possible, evidence-based).
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): Helps parents identify goals an activities that encourage interaction and can be woven into the daily routines of the infant/young child and family
5C.3. Works in collaboration with other service providers to support families and staff (e.g., Part C, Early Intervention).
Essential or important?: Important
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.
5D.1. Partners with staff and families in order to identify and facilitate appropriate referrals for specific infants, young children and families, for medical, developmental, mental health, and/or other needs.
Essential or important?: Essential
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 that require the assistance of other professionals from health, mental health education, and child welfare systems
5D.1. Partners with staff and families in order to identify and facilitate appropriate referrals for specific infants, young children and families, for medical, developmental, mental health, and/or other needs.
Essential or important?: Important
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Systems Expertise
Knowledge/Skill Area: Community Resources
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Works collaboratively with and makes referral toother service agencies to ensure that the child(ren) and family receive serivdes for which they are eligible and that the services are coordinated
5D.2. Works to ensure that referrals meet the diverse needs of families, with particular consideration given to issues concerning resources, culture, and language.
Essential or important?: Important
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Systems Expertise
Knowledge/Skill Area: Service Delivery Systems
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Assists families to anticipate, obtain, and advocate for concrete needs and other services from public agencies and community resources
5D.2. Works to ensure that referrals meet the diverse needs of families, with particular consideration given to issues concerning resources, culture, and language.
Essential or important?: Important
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Communicating
Knowledge/Skill Area: Listening/Speaking
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Obtains translation services as necessary to ensure effective communication with families who may experience a communication barrier
5D.3. Establishes and maintains positive relationships with other professionals and agencies within the community, tribe, or state, and collaborates(or helps program or other setting staff to collaborate) with all parties involved to facilitate referrals and coordinate services.
Essential or important?: Important
IECMHC Endorsement Competency: Working with Others
Knowledge/Skill Area: Building & Maintaining Relationships (MHM)
As Demonstrated by/Other Work Experience (and Interview): Builds and maintains effective interpersonal relationships with a broad range of people including families, colleagues, agency and community representatives, and/or legislators, as the individual role requires by: a) Being proactive in establishing connections, b) Sharing information, and c) Identifying and reaching out to families of cultures not being served or being underserved