Education and Work Requirements

Minimum of Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Bachelor of Nursing (BSN); and including Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Education (MEd), Master of Nursing (MSN), Master of Applied Studies (MAS), PhD, EdD, PsyD, official transcript

Training

Minimum 30 clock hours of relationship-based education and training pertaining to the promotion of social-emotional development and/or the practice of infant mental health. Applicants will include as many hours as necessary to document that competencies (as specified in Competency Guidelines) have been met

Work Experience

Minimum two years of paid, post-Bachelor’s, professional work experience providing services that promote infant mental health. Work experience meets this criterion as long as the applicant has: 

• Served a minimum of 10 families of infants/toddlers (birth to 36 months), and

• A primary focus of the services provided is the social-emotional needs of infant/toddler, and

• Services include attention to the relationships surrounding the infant/toddler

Reflective Supervision/ Consultation

Minimum 24 clock hours within one- to two-year timeframe; post-Bachelor’s, relationship-based, reflective supervision or consultation, individually or in a group while providing services to infants, very young children, and families. Provider of reflective supervision/consultation must have earned Endorsement® as IMHS, or IMHM-C. For Bachelor’s-prepared IFS applicants, reflective supervision/consultation that meets criteria for Endorsement® may come from a Master’s-prepared professional who has earned IFS, (Or vetted by ORIMHA to meet these levels)

Professional Reference Ratings 

Total of three ratings: 

• One from current program supervisor

• One from person providing reflective supervision/consultation

• One from another supervisor, teacher, trainer, consultant, colleague, or parent/recipient of service (paid or volunteer)

Code of Ethics &Endorsement® Agreement

Signed

Documentation of Competencies

Application will document that competencies have been adequately met through course work, paid and/or volunteer work experiences, or in-service training. Written examination not required for applicants seeking Infant Family Associate Endorsement®

Professional Membership

Membership in ORIMHA or another infant mental health association