Reference Ratings
Tips For Applicants
Tips For Raters
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If the reference is your supervisor (program and/or reflective), consider looking over the questions together in supervision and requesting feedback
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Ask your reference provider if they would be willing to complete a form (electronically) for you
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Be sure each reference is familiar enough with your work, knowledge, & skills to provide ratings (if rater scores “I do not have enough information to rate/comment” 6 or more times, the reference cannot be counted)
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You must decide whether or not to sign a waiver for each reference. If you sign it, you waive your right to access the content of the form. Some raters will not complete a reference unless the waiver is signed to ensure the rater’s scores and remarks will remain confidential
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Have you known the applicant for at least a year?
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If the applicant is part of a reflective supervision/consultation (RSC) group that you facilitate, have you heard enough from this applicant to feel that you know his/her skills well enough to rate them? (We cannot count ratings with 6 or more “I do not have enough information to rate/comment” scores)
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Is the applicant providing direct service to families of infants/toddlers (0-36 months)?
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If it is an Infant Mental Health Mentor – Clinical (IV-C) applicant, are you familiar with his/her skills as a provider of RSC (and not only as a practitioner)?
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Consider reviewing the questions (see attached) with the applicant periodically to help track your assessment of his or her progress over time
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If you have reservations, have you shared them directly with the applicant?
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Are you aware of whether or not the applicant has signed the waiver? If not signed, the applicant has the right to know the content of your rating
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If you have reservations, consider either declining the request to provide a reference or indicating that you do not recommend. We occasionally see very low scores, but with an overall recommendation to endorse, which can be confusing for reviewers and applicants