Consultation and infant mental health Endorsement

Infant and early childhood mental health consultation is a service. Endorsement is a credential. They share most of their competencies, and the 23 they don’t share are what make consultation its own practice.

Based on the 2023 crosswalk created by the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health in collaboration with the Center of Excellence for IECMHC, with support from the Association for Infant Mental Health in Hawaii.

consultation competencies, compared one by one: 147
line up with Endorsement in some way: 124
are unique to consultation: 23
are Essential before you start consulting: 63

Take the 5-Stop Tour Explore All 147 Download the Crosswalk (PDF)

The short version

Five ideas, one at a time. Each one opens up if you want more.

Two different things

Consultation is a service. Endorsement is a credential. They describe the same field from two directions, so it helps to see each one plainly before comparing them.

Infant and early childhood mental health consultation

What it is: An indirect service. The consultant builds the reflective capacity and relational health of the adults around a child (staff, families, and programs) rather than providing direct mental health treatment.
Who defines it: The Center of Excellence for IECMHC, in the national competencies: 8 domains and 147 competencies.
Where it happens: Early childhood education, home visiting, early intervention, and other early childhood settings.

Infant mental health Endorsement

What it is: A credential that documents a specialization in infant and early childhood mental health and shows that a person can put that knowledge into practice.
Who defines it: The Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health, through the Competency Guidelines for Endorsement.
Who can earn it: Any discipline or sector of the infant-family workforce. As of 2023, over 5,000 professionals held it and 2,500 more were applying.

Go Deeper

Endorsement is a credential available to all disciplines and sectors of the infant-family workforce to document a specialization in infant/early childhood mental health. The CoE competencies define the knowledge and skills specific to mental health consultation. The crosswalk lines the two sets up, one consultation competency at a time.

Endorsement is earned through specialized experiences such as coursework, in-service training, and reflective supervision. As of 2023, associations in 35 U.S. states and 2 countries used the Competency Guidelines for Endorsement.

Mostly shared

Of the 147 consultation competencies, 124 line up with Endorsement in some way. 60 are a direct match and 64 share the same or a similar concept.

60 Direct match. Already documented if you hold Endorsement.
64 Same or similar. Partly covered. Some parts may need added training or reflective supervision.
23 Unique to consultation. Not documented through Endorsement.

Go Deeper

How each domain breaks down. Select a domain to open it below.

Domain	Direct match	Same or similar	Unique to consultation	Total	Essential
1. Role of the IECMH Consultant	9	8	7	24	22
2. Foundational Knowledge	12	15	3	30	17
3. Equity and Inclusion	3	9	2	14	3
4. Reflective Practice	5	7	4	16	5
5. Child-and-Family-Focused Consultation	9	6	1	16	8
6. Classroom-and-Home-Focused Consultation	6	6	0	12	4
7. Programmatic Consultation	10	6	4	20	4
8. Systems-Wide Orientation	6	7	2	15	0
All domains	60	64	23	147	63

Only in consultation

23 competencies belong to consultation alone. They describe what changes when you work through other adults, inside programs and systems.

The consultant’s role and stance 4
- 1A.1
- 1A.2
- 1A.3
- 1D.1
Working inside a program 6
- 1B.3
- 1B.4
- 2A.10
- 4B.6
- 7A.1
- 7A.3
Equity and bias in practice 9
- 1F.5
- 2A.7
- 2D.2
- 3A.3
- 3A.6
- 4A.3
- 4A.4
- 4A.7
- 8D.1
Seeing the child and community in context 2
- 5B.5
- 8A.5
Crises and disasters 2
- 7D.2
- 7D.3

Grouped by theme. Select a code to read the full competency.

Go Deeper

Each one, in brief.

The consultant’s role and stance

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.
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).
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.
1D.1 Can articulate the elements of the “consultative stance,”[1] and demonstrates the demeanor and skills embodied by this stance.

Working inside a program

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.
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.
2A.10 Understands basic principles of organizational or systems psychology as they relate to the programs or other settings in which consultation takes place.
4B.6 Assists others in reflecting on the strengths and limitations of the program or other setting in which they work or live (e.g., an agency, classroom, program, other setting, home) and to explore how that program or other setting impacts possibilities for and approaches to supporting children, families, and/or staff.
7A.1 Initiates consultation services with an agreement outlining roles, scope of work, duration, and related issues.
7A.3 Learns about a program’s organizational structure, including staff roles and responsibilities and lines of authority. Shares information about the role of the consultant, including its parameters and limitations. Uses established pathways to engage all members of the organization to ensure that all voices are heard and considered, particularly those that have been marginalized.

Equity and bias in practice

1F.5 Understands and explores how IECMHC aligns with the ‘Diversity-Informed Tenets for Work with Infants, Children and Families.’
2A.7 Understands the root causes of the disparities in the ways that infants and young children are disciplined. Understands how bias and applying a deficit-based perspective influence perceptions of infant and young child behavior; disciplinary decisions; and infant, young child, and family well-being.
2D.2 Understands the impact of unconscious bias in interpersonal interactions and decision making.
3A.3 Can define and demonstrate cultural sensitivity (including an understanding of issues related to the languages that young children and families speak), and is able to describe its relevance to IECMHC. Appreciates culture and resilience as sources of strength.
3A.6 Can identify specific strategies to address inequities in practice and in policy. Can support others’ efforts to recognize and address inequities.
4A.3 Reflects on biases and can recognize when biases may negatively impact effective consultation. Works to explore personal implicit biases, and takes steps to make objective decisions.
4A.4 Reflects on culture, values, belief, and backgrouds, privilige, biases, assumptions, and experiences including the impact of experience with racism, classism, sexism, able-ism, homophobia, xenophobia, and/or other systems of oppression in order to provide diversity-informed and culturally attuned services.
4A.7 Explores and reflects on views and values related to equity; and particularly racial-equity-related issues and how these views influence us individuals, organizations and systems.
8D.1 Understands historical and current inequitable distribution of opportunities and resources across systems and how such inequities affect families.

Seeing the child and community in context

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).
8A.5 Demonstrates awareness of and sensitivity toward attitudes and strengths of community members (e.g., community leaders, agencies, service providers).

Crises and disasters

7D.2 Provides guidance related to the manner in which crisis drills are implemented. Considers developmentally appropriate explanations, procedures, advance preparation, and debriefing for staff, families, and infants and young children. Anticipates potential negative impacts of crises on individual and or groups of children and families, and proactively establishes plans to address needs and concerns before, during, and after the crisis.
7D.3 Recognizes the nature and parameters of the consultant’s role during crises, and is familiar with available crisis services. Considers the importance of the timing of the consultant’s entry or reentry into a center recently impacted by crisis.

Where it fits

Consultation experience fits best in the prevention scope of practice. That makes it a good fit for the work requirements of Infant or Early Childhood Family Specialist Endorsement. Because the work is complex, 58 competencies also link to Mentor-level Endorsement competencies.

58Mentor level (IMHM/ECMHM)Link to at least one Mentor-level competency
16Mental Health Specialist level (MHS)Link at the Specialist level
50Family Specialist level (IFS/ECFS)Link at the Family Specialist level only. This is where consultation work experience fits.
23Not documented through EndorsementUnique to consultation

Go Deeper

This crosswalk is intended to inform individuals; state, tribal, and territorial leaders; mental health agencies; IECMH consultation program directors; and IECMH system leaders about the overlapping and complementary competencies that define best practice for IECMH consultation and the broader competencies defined for the Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. Endorsement is a credential available to all disciplines and sectors of the infant-family workforce to document a specialization in infant/early childhood mental health. The Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Competencies define the knowledge and skills specific to mental health consultation.

The crosswalk can be used to illuminate an individual’s or system’s strengths and gaps in professional development in their efforts to meet best practice standards. For those interested in pursuing Endorsement, generally speaking, IECMH consultation work experience fits best in the prevention scope of practice and is therefore a good fit for work requirements for Infant/Early Childhood Family Specialist Endorsement (IFS/ECFS). Although the work of IECMH consultation is preventative in nature, these multilayered competencies address the complexity and depth of skill required to meet the equally complex needs of infants, young children, caregivers, and families. Therefore, several of the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor (IMHM/ ECMHM) competencies are linked to the competencies the CoE has defined for IECMH consultation.

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.

Where to start

63 competencies are Essential: a consultant needs them before starting. The other 84 are Important and can be learned on the job through training and reflective supervision.

27 Direct match.
27 Same or similar.
9 Unique to consultation.

I hold Endorsement and want to consult
Your Direct match competencies are already documented. Build on the Same or similar ones with training or reflective supervision, and focus on the Unique to consultation ones. Start with the 9 that are both Essential and unique.
Explore the Practical Certificate
I consult and want Endorsement
Compare the crosswalk to your training record. It shows your strengths and the gaps to close before you apply. Consultation experience fits Infant or Early Childhood Family Specialist Endorsement.
Download the Crosswalk (opens in a new tab)
I want to become a consultant
Start with the 63 Essential competencies, then take the self-assessment to see your strengths and gaps against the CoE competencies.
Take the Self-Assessment
I lead a program or system
Use the comparison to see where your team is already strong and where to invest in training, supervision, or hiring.
Talk About Technical Assistance

Go Deeper

The richness of the competencies defined by this crosswalk reflects that the work of consultation is multilayered and intricate as well as clinical and systemic. Because of the depth of knowledge required to do this work well, the list of competencies may appear long and could feel overwhelming at first. Therefore, we have marked with an asterisk (*) the Essential competencies to review first. The Essential competencies are those that most urgently need to be mastered in order for a consultant or team of consultants to begin their work.

The additional competencies are marked with ellipses (…) and categorized as Important. The Important competencies, though also key to high-quality services, can be learned through ongoing training, reflective supervision/consultation, and support as consultants get settled into their roles over time. Note that the competencies marked as Essential are more heavily represented at the beginning of the crosswalk, so they can be completed sooner than it might first seem. For individuals who have earned Endorsement (IMH-E® or ECMH-E®) and are seeking to fill gaps to achieve competence as an IECMH consultant, note that areas marked with an equal sign (=) boxed in green have already been documented through the Endorsement application process. The areas marked with an approximately equal to sign (≈) boxed in yellow have been partially met or addressed through earning Endorsement but may require additional training and/or reflective supervision/consultation. Those marked with a not equal to sign (≠) boxed in blue are unique to mental health consultation and have not been documented through the Endorsement application process.

1 of 5

All 147 competencies, side by side

Each consultation competency shows how critical it is and how closely it lines up with Endorsement. Open a domain to read the competencies, then open any one to see the Endorsement competency it maps to.

Domain 1: Role of the IECMH Consultant

24 competencies, 22 essential

What This Domain Covers

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.

1ADistinguishes IECMHC from Other related Endeavors

1A.1

Unique to consultation

Essential

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Essential
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

1A.2

Unique to consultation

Essential

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).

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Essential
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

1A.3

Unique to consultation

Essential

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Essential
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

1BExhibits an Ability to Work in Natural Settings

1B.1

Same or similar

Essential

Demonstrates an ability to work in diverse early childhood programs or other settings.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialMental Health Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Supportive Counseling (MHS)
As demonstrated by (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

Same or similar

Essential

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Cultural Humility
As demonstrated by (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

Unique to consultation

Essential

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Essential
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

1B.4

Unique to consultation

Essential

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Essential
Endorsement competency
Unique
Knowledge or skill area
Planning & Organizing
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Defines, creates a sequence for, and prioritizes tasks necessary to perform role and meet the needs of families

1CUnderstands and Engages in the Consultative Process

1C.1

Same or similar

Essential

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).

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Planning & Organizing
Knowledge or skill area
Planning & Organizing
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Defines, creates a sequence for, and prioritizes tasks necessary to perform role and meet the needs of families.
ImportantMental Health Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Intervention/Treatment Planning (MHS)
As demonstrated by (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

Direct match

Essential

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Infant Young Child Development/Behavior
As demonstrated by (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.
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Cultural Humility
As demonstrated by (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

Same or similar

Essential

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Law, Regulation, and Agency Policy
Knowledge or skill area
Agency Policy
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Personally works within the requirements of: Federal and state law, Agency policies & practices, Professional code of conduct.

1C.4

Direct match

Essential

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Systems Expertise
Knowledge or skill area
Service Delivery Systems
As demonstrated by (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.
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Disorders of Infancy/Early Childhood
As demonstrated by (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.

1DEmbraces the Consultative Stance and Reflective Practice

1D.1

Unique to consultation

Important

Can articulate the elements of the “consultative stance,”[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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Important
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

1D.2

Direct match

Essential

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).

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Thinking
Knowledge or skill area
Solving Problems
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Generates new insights and workable solutions to issues related to effective relationship-focused, family-centered care
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Self Awareness
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Seeks a high degree of agreement between self-perceptions and the way others perceive him/her

1D.3

Same or similar

Essential

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialMental Health Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Parent-Infant/Young Child Relationship-Based Therapies & Practices (MHS)
As demonstrated by (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
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Psychotherapeutic & Behavioral Theories of Change

1D.4

Direct match

Essential

Recognizes and maintains appropriate professional boundaries and role as defined by discipline (e.g., psychology, social work, counseling) and scope of practice.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Law, Regulation and Agency Policy
Knowledge or skill area
Ethical Practice
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Maintains appropriate personal boundaries with infants/young children and families served, as established by the employing agency

1EDeepens Knowledge and Skills Through Active Participation in Supervision or Consultation

1E.1

Same or similar

Essential

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Contemplation
As demonstrated by (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
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Self Awareness
As demonstrated by (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

Same or similar

Essential

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Law, Regulation & Agency Policy
Knowledge or skill area
Government, Law, & Regulation
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Personally works within the requirements of: Federal and state law, Agency policies and practices, Professional code of conduct
EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Communicating
Knowledge or skill area
Writing
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Writes clearly, concisely, and with the appropriate style (business, conversational, etc) in creating notes, reports, and correspondence

1FAdheres to Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct

1F.1

Direct match

Essential

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Law, Regulation & Agency Policy
Knowledge or skill area
Government, Law, & Regulation
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Personally works within the requirements of: Federal and state law, Agency policies and practices, Professional code of conduct

1F.2

Direct match

Important

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Law, Regulation & Agency Policy
Knowledge or skill area
Ethical Practice
As demonstrated by (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

Direct match

Essential

Carries out the mandate to report suspected child abuse and neglect, and supports others in their responsibilities as mandated reporters.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Law, Regulation & Agency Policy
Knowledge or skill area
Government, Law & Regulation
As demonstrated by (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

Direct match

Essential

Seeks continuing education experiences to enhance knowledge and skills, and stays apprised of new research, scholarship, and promising practices in IECMHC.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Personal/Professional Development
As demonstrated by (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

Unique to consultation

Essential

Understands and explores how IECMHC aligns with the ‘Diversity-Informed Tenets for Work with Infants, Children and Families.’

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Essential
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

1GCollaborates Respectfully with Other Agencies

1G.1

Direct match

Essential

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Working with Others
Knowledge or skill area
Collaborating
As demonstrated by (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

1HExplicitly and Intentionally Promotes Equity – from the Individual Level to the Systemic Level

1H.1

Same or similar

Essential

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialMentor level
Endorsement competency
Administration (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Program development (MHM)
As demonstrated by (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

Domain 2: Foundational Knowledge

30 competencies, 17 essential

What This Domain Covers

Draws from a broad and diverse knowledge base to understand infants, young children, families, and program or other setting staff from diverse racial/ethnic and language backgrounds, and how they relate to one another. Turns to a variety of disciplines and theories to inform the direction of consultation.

2AUnderstands the Multidisciplinary Body of Knowledge that Informs Consultation

2A.1

Same or similar

Important

Appreciates and embraces multidisciplinary approaches to working with infants, young children, families, caregivers, and staff who work in programs or other settings serving infants, young children, and families, drawing on areas of study that include professional consultation, mental health, early education, early childhood development, infant and early childhood mental health, family and/or systems functioning, culture, race and equity, and antiracism approaches.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Administration (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Program Evaluation (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Applies research findings to culturally sensitive, relationship-focused policies promoting infant mental health

2A.2

Same or similar

Essential

Understands that an infant's or young child's physical environment, experience of attachment, social relationships, race/ethnicity, primarly language, culture, abilities, disposition, and life circumstances all impact behavior and social and emotional well-being. Uses this knowledge to support change in one or more of these realms to improve infant and young child outcomes.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialMental Health Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Infant/Young Child Development & Behavior (MHS)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Understands both typical and atypical development during pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood through formal observation, assessment, and in day-to-day interactions with the infant/young child and family; Understands the conditions that optimize early infant brain development 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
ImportantMental Health Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Cultural Humility (MHS)
As demonstrated by (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
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Attachment, Separation, Trauma, Grief, & Loss
As demonstrated by (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

2A.3

Same or similar

Important

Understands mental health concepts and psychological processes related to adults and adult functioning, including how caregivers’ current and historical access to opportunities and resources and their experiences with discrimination impact mental health. Understands parallel process (i.e., how relationships between an IECMH consultant and staff or caregivers impacts relationships between staff or caregivers and infants, young children, and families), the ways in which a caregiver’s experiences can affect their interpretation of an infant’s or young child’s behavior, and experiences with or responses to trauma.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMental Health Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Psychotherapeutic and Behavioral Theories of Change (MHS)
As demonstrated by (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
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Parallel Process
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Recognizes and responds appropriately to parallel process

2A.4

Direct match

Essential

Understands the impact of trauma (including racialized, historical trauma and family violence) on infant/young child and family development and can educate others about. trauma-informed approaches as needed.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Attachment, Separation, Trauma, Grief, & Loss
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Supports parent-infant/young child relationship-based therapies and practices to explore issues including attachment, separation, trauma, and loss that affect the development and care of the infant/young child
ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Working with Others
Knowledge or skill area
Consulting (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Training/coaching of caregivers and/or other professionals (eg, child care teacher, foster parent, health, mental health, legal)

2A.5

Same or similar

Essential

Understands the impact of systemic racism, discrimination, and individual prejudices and microaggressions on infants', young children's, and families' experiences, and can educate others about anti-racism approaches.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Attachment, Separation, Trauma, Grief, & Loss
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Supports parent-infant/young child relationship-based therapies and practices to explore issues including attachment, separation, trauma, and loss that affect the development and care of the infant/young child

2A.6

Same or similar

Essential

Understands how caregiver attitudes and behaviors influence infants and young children, and works to ensure that caregivers understand the potential consequences of their attitudes and behaviors.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialMental Health Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Relationship-Focused, Therapeutic Practice (MHS)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Engages in parent-infant/young child relationship-based therapies and practices to explore issues (including attachment, separation, trauma, loss) that affect the development and care of the infant/young child
ImportantMental Health Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Developmental Guidance (MHS)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Uses multiple strategies to help parents/caregivers to a) understand their role in the social and emotional development of infants and young children, b) understand what they can do to promote health, language, and cognitive development in infancy and early childhood, and c) find pleasure in caring for their infants/young children

2A.7

Unique to consultation

Essential

Understands the root causes of the disparities in the ways that infants and young children are disciplined. Understands how bias and applying a deficit-based perspective influence perceptions of infant and young child behavior; disciplinary decisions; and infant, young child, and family well-being.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Essential
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

2A.8

Same or similar

Important

Has broad knowledge of culturally responsive social and emotional curricula, screening tools, frameworks, and resources, and understands equitable implementation of such curricula and tools.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Screening & Assessment
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Conducts observations, discussions, and formal and informal assessments of infant/young child development, in accordance with established practice

2A.9

Direct match

Important

Understands adult learning theory (i.e., concepts related to how adults learn best) as it relates to families and staff.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Adult Learning Theory and Practice (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Understands family relationship development, with sensitivity to cultural differences

2A.10

Unique to consultation

Important

Understands basic principles of organizational or systems psychology as they relate to the programs or other settings in which consultation takes place.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Important
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

2A.11

Same or similar

Essential

Recognizes and respects child and family culture, families’ knowledge, sources of strength and resilience, and routes to healing within diverse families and communities.[1]

[1] Irving Harris Foundation. 2018. Diversity-Informed Tenets for Work with Infants, Children and Families. Chicago, IL: Irving Harris Foundation.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Cultural Humility
As demonstrated by (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

2BUnderstands the Nature of and Influences on Development

2B.1

Same or similar

Essential

Understands the importance of the developing self-regulation, social relationships, communication, representational thinking, and executive function abilities for school readiness.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Infant/Young Child Development & Behavior
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Identifies both typical and atypical development during pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood through formal observation, assessment, and in day-to-day interactions with the infant/young child and family; Understands the conditions that optimize early infant brain development

2B.2

Same or similar

Essential

Understands the interplay of genes and experiences on development—that both the infants or young child’s constitutional nature (including temperament) and aspects of the environment (e.g., the functioning of caregivers, the presence of risk and protective factors) play a role in determining the course of development. Understands the impact of experiences of prejudice or discrimination

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Infant/Young Child Development & Behavior
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Identifies both typical and atypical development during pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood through formal observation, assessment, and in day-to-day interactions with the infant/young child and family; Understands the conditions that optimize early infant brain development

2B.3

Same or similar

Essential

Understands that development is a transactional phenomenon, within which infants and young children experience attachment relationships with primary caregivers that play a critical foundational role in development. Understands the potential negative impact of caregiver history, multiple separations, relational disruptions, caregiver depression, and loss.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Infant/Young Child Development & Behavior
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Identifies both typical and atypical development during pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood through formal observation, assessment, and in day-to-day interactions with the infant/young child and family
ImportantMental Health Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Attachment, Separation, Trauma, Grief, & Loss (MHS)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Supports parent-infant/young child relationship-based therapies and practices to explore issues including attachment, separation, trauma, and loss that affect the development and care of the infant/young child

2B.4

Same or similar

Essential

Understands the potentially positive and protective role of grandparents and extended family, siblings, peers, and group interactions on early development and emotional well-being.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Family Relationships & Dynamics
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Understands family relationship development, with sensitivity to cultural differences

2B.5

Direct match

Essential

Understands typical and atypical growth and development of infants and young children. Has an in-depth knowledge of the general sequence of developmental milestones in all domains, including those connected to cognitive and social and emotional development, communication, sensory-motor processing, self-regulation, physical development, and play.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Infant/Young Child Development & Behavior
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Identifies both typical and atypical development during pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood through formal observation, assessment, and in day-to-day interactions with the infant/young child and family; Understands the conditions that optimize early infant brain development

2B.6

Direct match

Essential

Recognizes risk factors associated with trauma as they relate to environmental, situational, and interpersonal contexts, and understands the role of protective factors in ameliorating impacts on infant and early childhood development.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Disorders of Infancy/Early Childhood
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Recognizes risks and disorders of infancy/early childhood conditions that require the assitance of other professionals from health, mental health, education, and child welfare systems
ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Attachment, Separation, Trauma, Grief & Loss (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Supports informal and formal observations and assessments to identify capacities and strengths, as well as relationship disturbance, disorders, risks, developmental delays, and/or emotional disturbances in infants and young children served

2B.7

Same or similar

Important

Understands the many ways in which current and historical inequities (racism, homophobia, sexism, able-ism, and other forms of systemic oppression) can negatively impact families’ access to resources, adult-infant/young child relationships and infant and early childhood development.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Infant/Young Child Development & Behavior
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Understands the conditions that optimize early infant brain development
ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Attachment, Separation, Trauma, Grief & Loss (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Supports informal and formal observations and assessments to identify capacities and strengths, as well as relationship disturbance, disorders, risks, developmental delays, and/or emotional disturbances in infants and young children served

2CUnderstands the Importance and Power of Culture

2C.1

Direct match

Essential

Understands and supports cultural variations in development, child-rearing practices, and caregiver expectations.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialMentor level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Cultural Humility (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Understands family relationship development, with sensitivity to cultural differences

2C.2

Same or similar

Important

Recognizes the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual context of culture and its influence on values, beliefs, child-rearing practices, infant and early childhood development, and social and emotional health and well-being.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Cultural Humility (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Understands family relationship development, with sensitivity to cultural differences

2DUnderstands the Importance of Self-Awareness and the Nature of Reflective Practice

2D.1

Direct match

Important

Understands the importance of examining values, beliefs, privilege, biases, assumptions, and experiences to ensure that misinterpretation or judgment is not imposed on others’ intentions and actions.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Self Awareness
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Regularly examines own thoughts, feelings, strengths, and growth areas; discusses issues, concerns, actions to take with supervisor, consultants, or peers
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Emotional Response
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Uses reflective practice throughout work with infants/young children and famiies to understand own emotional resonse to infant/young child/family work and recognize areas for professional/personal development

2D.2

Unique to consultation

Important

Understands the impact of unconscious bias in interpersonal interactions and decision making.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Important
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

2D.3

Direct match

Essential

Understands the importance of assisting others in reflecting on and examining their own values, beliefs, privilege, biases, assumptions, and experiences; supporting them in regulating their emotions; and helping them accurately perceive the meaning of others’ behavior (specifically, the behavior of infants, young children, families, and co-workers).

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialMentor level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Parallel Process (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Encourages others (peers, supervisees, etc) to examine their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences in determining actions to take
ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Reflective Supervision (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Promotes reflective supervision

2D.4

Direct match

Important

Recognizes the value of using self-reflection to maintain awareness of thoughts, emotions, and visceral reactions in response to consultees and families, and the importance of understanding these thoughts, emotions, and reactions as personal information to be processed and explored.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Curiosity
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Remains open and curious
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Emotional Response
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Uses reflective practice throughout work with infants/young children and famiies to understand own emotional response to infant/young child/family work and recognize areas for professional/personal development

2D.5

Direct match

Essential

Embraces the importance of seeking to understand the perspectives and experiences of others in the context of consultation.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Communicating
Knowledge or skill area
Listening
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Actively listens to others and clarifies others’ statements to ensure understanding

2D.6

Direct match

Important

Understands the importance of clinical supervision, consultation, and reflective supervision, and values them as critical components that support the provision of effective consultation.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Reflective Supervision (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Promotes reflective supervision

2EUnderstands the Functioning of and Relationships Between Families, Caregivers, IECMH Consultants, and Systems

2E.1

Same or similar

Important

Understands the value of support networks. Recognizes barriers and challenges to service acquisition for families, especially those who are isolated or face discriminatory practices due to race/ethnicity, disability, language or immigration status.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMental Health Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Working with Others
Knowledge or skill area
Supporting Others/Mentoring (MHS)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Encourages parents to share with other parents (e.g., through nurturing programs, parent-child interaction groups)
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Systems Expertise
Knowledge or skill area
Service Delivery Systems
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Assists families to anticipate, obtain, and advocate for concrete needs and other services from public agencies and community resources

2E.2

Direct match

Essential

Understands parallel process (i.e., how the relationship between an IECMH consultant and the staff or caregivers impacts the relationships between the staff or caregivers and infants or young children and families).

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialMental Health Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Parallel Process (MHS)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Recognizes and responds appropriately to parallel process

2E.3

Direct match

Essential

Understands that the quality of relationships among adults (between staff members and/or between staff members and families) influences infants' and young children’s experiences .

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialMentor level
Endorsement competency
Working with Others
Knowledge or skill area
Building & Maintaining Relationships (MHM)
As demonstrated by (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, c) Partnering on projects; and d) Indentifying and reaching out to families of cultures no being served or understood

2E.4

Same or similar

Important

Understands the importance of self-care and the value of offering information to families and staff on the connection between self-care and the ability to build successful relationships with others.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Working with Others
Knowledge or skill area
Empathy & Compassion
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Works with and responds to families and colleagues in a tactful and understanding manor; Provides emotional support to parents/caregivers and children when sad/distressed

Domain 3: Equity and Inclusion

14 competencies, 3 essential

What This Domain Covers

Understands broad and local historical and systemic dynamics that have generated racialized disparities in outcomes for infants, young children, and families. Works with others to improve their understanding of how infant, young child and adult race/ethnicity, primary language, culture (beliefs, values, voice, communication style, behavioral norms, and attitudes), abilities, biases, disposition, and life circumstances(e.g., poverty and domestic violence) impact the learning environment.

Additionally, understands how adult- infant/young child interactions shape the quality of relationships, infants’ and young children’s learning experiences, and disciplinary decisions but also how contextual variables such as community context, history, and systems shape adults’ and infants’/young children’s experiences. Explicitly and intentionally acts on this understanding to create equitable and positive experiences for all infants and young children, including those from historically marginalized and oppressed communities.

3ADemonstrates an Awareness of Race and Racism, Cultural Variation, and Normative Differences in Family Structure

3A.1

Same or similar

Important

Understands how systemic racism, discrimination, and individual prejudices and microaggressions affect infant, young child and family well-being.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMental Health Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Attachment, Separation, Trauma, Grief, & Loss (MHS)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Supports parent-infant/young child relationship-based therapies and practices to explore issues including attachment, separation, trauma, and loss that affect the development and care of the infant/young child

3A.2

Same or similar

Important

Understands how culture shapes interactions and relationships, family structures, behaviors, and development.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Family Relationships & Dynamics (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Understands family relationship development, with sensitivity to cultural differences
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Cultural Humility
As demonstrated by (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

3A.3

Unique to consultation

Important

Can define and demonstrate cultural sensitivity (including an understanding of issues related to the languages that young children and families speak), and is able to describe its relevance to IECMHC. Appreciates culture and resilience as sources of strength.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Important
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

3A.4

Same or similar

Important

Demonstrates an appreciation of the unique values and beliefs of each family and each family’s structure, and can work effectively with infants, young children, and families from a range of backgrounds.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Cultural Humility
As demonstrated by (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

3A.5

Same or similar

Essential

Demonstrates the skills to identify and address implicit bias in practice. Identifies and can effectively discuss program, other setting, local, state, or other system policies that disproportionately disadvantage one group of young children or families (including disciplinary policies and policies that discriminate against young children and families who do not speak English).

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialMentor level
Endorsement competency
Administration (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Program Evaluation (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Applies research findings to culturally sensitive, relationship-focused policies promoting infant and early childhood mental health

3A.6

Unique to consultation

Important

Can identify specific strategies to address inequities in practice and in policy. Can support others’ efforts to recognize and address inequities.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Important
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

3A.7

Same or similar

Important

Demonstrates the ability to explore and negotiate cultural differences, to value and adapt to the diverse cultural contexts of programs or other settings and communities served, and to work effectively with individuals, groups, organizations, and systems that vary in cultures, values, beliefs, privilege, biases, and experiences.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Working with Others
Knowledge or skill area
Building & Maintaining Relationships (MHM)
As demonstrated by (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, c) Partnering on projects; and d) Indentifying and reaching out to families of cultures no being served or understood

3BDemonstrates Self-Awareness

3B.1

Same or similar

Important

Explores own and others' values, beliefs, background, privilege, biases, assumptions, and experiences in a way that enhances the effectiveness of consultation in diverse communities.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Contemplation
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Regularly examines own thoughts, feelings, strengths, and growth areas; discusses issues, concerns, actions to take with supervisor, consultants, or peers
ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Personal/Professional Development (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Uses results of reflection to identify areas for personal development; identifies and participates in value-added learning activities

3B.2

Direct match

Important

Demonstrates the capacity for self-awareness in regard to bias, privilege, deficit-based perspectives of families and infants and young children, and other cultural issues (i.e., the ability to recognize how culturally influenced experiences shape personal and professional behavior and attitudes, including those connected to how interactions with others unfold and are perceived).

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Self-Awareness
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Seeks a high degree of congruence between self-perception and the way others perceive them

3B.3

Same or similar

Important

Demonstrates the capacity to address such biases and deficit based perspectives. Is alert to discomforts and emotional responses when cultural, race, diversity issues arise.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Emotional Response
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Uses reflective practice throughout work with infants/young children and families to understand own emotional response to infant/family work and recognize areas for professional and/or personal development
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Curiosity
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Remains open and curious

3B.4

Same or similar

Essential

Demonstrates the ability to recognize personal limitations in knowledge of particular cultures, and seeks to learn more about different cultures.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Thinking
Knowledge or skill area
Maintaining perspective
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Sees and can explain the interactions of multiple factors and perspectives
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Emotional Response
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Uses reflective practice throughout work with infants/young children and families to understand own emotional response to infant/family work and recognize areas for professional and/or personal development

3CPromotes Cultural Responsiveness in Practices, Policies, and Procedures

3C.1

Direct match

Important

Supports staff in speaking with families in their preferred language and in using culturally responsive professional interpreters when same-language communication is not an option.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Leading People (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Developing Talent (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Coaches novice practitioners, students, colleagues, reporting employees, and clients in a range of skills to help them become culturally sensitive individuals
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Communicating
Knowledge or skill area
Speaking
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Obtains translation services as necessary to ensure effective communication with families who may experience a communication barrier

3C.2

Direct match

Essential

Works with programs and other settings to promote cultural sensitivity so that language and culture are respected, families are provided with culturally and linguistically appropriate materials, and staff are offered training opportunities focused on increased cultural responsiveness.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialMentor level
Endorsement competency
Administration (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Program Development (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Advocates for funds/programming for effective service delivery to families outside of the dominant culture
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Infant/Young child & Family-Centered Practices
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Provides information, guidance, and support to families related to the development and care of infants/young children to further develop parenting capabilities and the parent-infant/young child relationship and ensures that information is provided in the family’s language

3C.3

Same or similar

Important

Supports the capacity of others to work cross-culturally with the goal of positively influencing practice, policymaking, administrative functioning, and service delivery. Works to systematically involve families, key stakeholders, and communities in these efforts.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Reflection (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Contemplation (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Modifies policies and procedure to enhance service effectiveness and appropriate use of resources
ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Working with others
Knowledge or skill area
Building and Maintaining Relationships (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Builds and maintains effective interpersonal relationships with families and professional colleagues by respecting and promoting the decision-making authority of families

Domain 4: Reflective Practice

16 competencies, 5 essential

What This Domain Covers

Thinks about and questions personal biases, assumptions, and experiences before, during, and/or after consultative interactions. Considers the influences on and perspectives of others (e.g., infant, young child, family, staff) in the context of consultation, including how these may vary based on infant, young child, family, staff, and consultant ability, race/ethnicity, and language background (i.e., “what might this experience have been like for the infant, young child, staff member, or caregiver?”).

Promotes reflective practice with consultees, using this experience-based learning to support consultees’ professional growth and development. Commits to a journey of ongoing self-exploration to understand how one’s culture, background, race, and other social identities (including issues related to privilege and power) impact the way IECMH consultants see themselves and others.

4AUses Self-Reflection to Enhance Consultation

4A.1

Direct match

Essential

Understands, can describe, and values the importance and benefits of reflective practice.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Emotional Response
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Uses reflective practice throughout work to understand own emotional response to infant/family work and recognize areas for professional and/or personal development
ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Reflective Supervision (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Promotes reflective supervision

4A.2

Direct match

Important

Regularly reflects on values, beliefs, biases, assumptions, and experiences as they influence interactions, relationships, and the directions that consultation may take.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Contemplation
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Regularly examines own thoughts, feelings, strengths, and growth areas; discusses issues, concerns, actions to take with supervisor, consultants, or peers
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Self-awareness
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Seeks a high degree of congruence between self-perception and the way others perceive them

4A.3

Unique to consultation

Important

Reflects on biases and can recognize when biases may negatively impact effective consultation. Works to explore personal implicit biases, and takes steps to make objective decisions.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Important
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

4A.4

Unique to consultation

Important

Reflects on culture, values, belief, and backgrouds, privilige, biases, assumptions, and experiences including the impact of experience with racism, classism, sexism, able-ism, homophobia, xenophobia, and/or other systems of oppression in order to provide diversity-informed and culturally attuned services.

Irving Harris Foundation. 2018. Diversity-Informed Tenets for Work with Infants, Children and Families. Chicago, IL: Irving Harris Foundation.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Important
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

4A.5

Same or similar

Important

Uses self-reflection to maintain awareness of thoughts, emotions, and visceral reactions that regularly inform and can enhance the quality of consultative work.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Emotional response
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Uses reflective practice throughout work to understand own emotional response to infant/family work and recognize areas for professional and/or personal development

4A.6

Same or similar

Essential

Reflects on and explores a wide variety of approaches to working with staff, families, and infants or young children, and understands that there is no single correct strategy (or any quick fixes) when it comes to change and growth.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Thinking
Knowledge or skill area
Maintaining Perspective
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Sees and can explain the interactions of multiple factors adn perspectives; Assigns prioities to needs, goals, and actions

4A.7

Unique to consultation

Important

Explores and reflects on views and values related to equity; and particularly racial-equity-related issues and how these views influence us individuals, organizations and systems.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Important
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

4A.8

Same or similar

Important

Reflects on and utilizes "location of self" (i.e., acknowledging our multiple selves and how we make them explicit) orientation by reflecting with supervisor and colleagues on how one’s cultural identities (e.g., gender, race, class, religion, sexual orientation, immigration status) might influence consultative relationships.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Contemplation
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Regularly examines own thoughts, feelings, strengths, and growth areas and discusses issues, concerns, and actions to take with supervisor, consultants, and peers

4BAssists Others in Reflecting

4B.1

Direct match

Essential

Encourages staff and families to become aware of behaviors that stir up strong feelings and reactions, and assists them in identifying the origins of those feelings and reactions so that they can respond to families, caregivers, and/or infants and young children compassionately and effectively.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialMentor level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Personal/Professional Development (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Nurtures in novice practitioners, students, and other colleagues the capacity to use results of reflection to identify areas for personal development; identify and participate in value-added learning activities
ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Working with Others
Knowledge or skill area
Empathy & Compassion (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Promotes supervisory relationship in which the supervisee can explore ideas, reflect about cases, and grow

4B.2

Same or similar

Essential

Supports staff and families in understanding how their values, beliefs, backgrounds, privilege, biases, assumptions, and experiences—along with factors connected to specific settings—play a role in influencing infants' and young children’s behavior.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialMentor level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Reflective Supervision (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Enables supervisees to use the supervisory/consultative relationship to reflect upon direct work with families including observation of own feelings and thoughts regarding the selection and use of clinical interventions in various settings
ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Parallel Process (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Recognizes and responds appropriately to parallel process

4B.3

Direct match

Important

Seeks to engender curiosity through carefully timed, nonjudgmental inquiry. Uses listening, patience, and reflection to encourage others to explore possibilities for approaching challenges and supporting growth and well-being.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Reflective Supervision (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Enables supervisees to use the supervisory/consultative relationship to reflect upon direct work with families including observation of own feelings and thoughts regarding the selection and use of clinical interventions in various settings
ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Curiosity (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Nurtures in novice practitioners, students, and other colleagues the capacity to remain open and curious

4B.4

Same or similar

Important

Collaborates with others to explore how they can regulate their emotions, engage in self-care, reduce stress, strengthen coping mechanisms and resilience, and aim for life balance even in the face of difficult circumstances.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Working with Others
Knowledge or skill area
Supporting Others (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Promotes supervisory relationship in which the supervisee can explore ideas, reflect about cases, and grow

4B.5

Direct match

Important

Provides individual and group opportunities for staff to engage in reflection in regard to values, beliefs, backgrounds, privilege, biases, assumptions, and experiences when they are working in a supportive role with families.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Reflective Supervision (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Enables supervisees to use the supervisory/consultative relationship to reflect upon direct work with families including: 1)observation of own feelings and thoughts regarding the selection and use of clinical interventions in various settings; and 2) effects of treatment on relationships and specific interventions

4B.6

Unique to consultation

Essential

Assists others in reflecting on the strengths and limitations of the program or other setting in which they work or live (e.g., an agency, classroom, program, other setting, home) and to explore how that program or other setting impacts possibilities for and approaches to supporting children, families, and/or staff.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Essential
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

4B.7

Same or similar

Important

Supports others’ (including colleagues’ and consultees’) developing capacities to explore equity issues and their influence in the population IECMH consultants serve as well as the role consultants play in upholding or dismantling inequitable systems and practices. Encourages deep conversations about race, diversity and inclusion to raise awareness and to support equity in all work interactions.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Working with Others
Knowledge or skill area
Consulting (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Provides expert advice, testimony, and/or recommendations to programs, agencies, legislative bodies, and service systems, taking into account needs, goals, context, and constraints to advocate for policy, program, and/or system improvements

4B.8

Same or similar

Important

Reflects with supervisor and colleagues on how to leverage opportunities to be a voice for equity in one’s own organization and the broader community.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Administration (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Program development (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Advocates for funds/programming for effective service delivery to families outside of the dominant culture

Domain 5: Child-and-Family-Focused Consultation

16 competencies, 8 essential

What This Domain Covers

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.

5AValues and Promotes the Power of Relationships and the Importance of Relationship-Building

5A.1

Direct match

Important

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Infant/Young Child & Family-Centered Practices
As demonstrated by (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

Direct match

Essential

Supports program or other setting staff in developing trusted and respectful relationships with families.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialMentor level
Endorsement competency
Working with Others
Knowledge or skill area
Coaching & Mentoring (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
As an expert resource, provides guidance and feedback to novice staff, graduate students and other colleagues as requested
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Responding with Empathy
As demonstrated by (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

Direct match

Essential

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Observation and Listening
As demonstrated by (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
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Screening and Assessment
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Conducts observations, discussions, and formal and informal assessments of infant/young child development, in accordance with established practice

5A.4

Same or similar

Important

Facilitates understanding, mutual respect, and direct communication between families and staff and among members of the early childhood community.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Working with Others
Knowledge or skill area
Building & Maintaining Relationships (MHM)
As demonstrated by (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

Same or similar

Essential

Engages warmly and flexibly with ECE/HV staff and families in order to consider the meaning of a particular behavior.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Working with Others
Knowledge or skill area
Supporting Others/Mentoring
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Works with and responds to families and colleagues in a tactful and understanding manner

5BWorks Collaboratively to Understand an Infant's and Young Child’s Behavior

5B.1

Same or similar

Essential

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Intervention/Treatment Planning
As demonstrated by (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

Direct match

Essential

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialMental Health Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Parallel Process (MHS)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Recognizes and responds appropriately to parallel process
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Observation & Listening
As demonstrated by (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

Same or similar

Essential

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).

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Infant/Young Child & Family-Centered Practice
As demonstrated by (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

Direct match

Important

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Observation and Listening (MHM)
As demonstrated by (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

Unique to consultation

Important

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).

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Important
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

5CSupports and Facilitates Plan Development and Implementation on Child's Behavior

5C.1

Direct match

Essential

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Screening & Assessment
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Conducts formal and informal assessments of infant/young child development, in accordance with established practice
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Infant/Young Child & Family-Centered Practice
As demonstrated by (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

Same or similar

Important

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).

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMental Health Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Intervention/Treatment Planning (MHS)
As demonstrated by (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

Direct match

Important

Works in collaboration with other service providers to support families and staff (e.g., Part C, Early Intervention).

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Working with Others
Knowledge or skill area
Collaborating
As demonstrated by (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

5DSupports and Facilitates Referrals, Service Provision, and Community Collaboration

5D.1

Direct match

Essential

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Disorders of Infancy/Early Childhood
As demonstrated by (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
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Systems Expertise
Knowledge or skill area
Community Resources
As demonstrated by (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

Direct match

Important

Works to ensure that referrals meet the diverse needs of families, with particular consideration given to issues concerning resources, culture, and language.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Systems Expertise
Knowledge or skill area
Service Delivery Systems
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Assists families to anticipate, obtain, and advocate for concrete needs and other services from public agencies and community resources
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Communicating
Knowledge or skill area
Listening/Speaking
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Obtains translation services as necessary to ensure effective communication with families who may experience a communication barrier

5D.3

Same or similar

Important

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.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Working with Others
Knowledge or skill area
Building & Maintaining Relationships (MHM)
As demonstrated by (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

Domain 6: Classroom-and-Home-Focused Consultation

12 competencies, 4 essential

What This Domain Covers

Collaborates with caregivers and program staff to promote equitable, warm, and trusting relationships, consistent routines, and development-enhancing interactions that positively impact classroom and home climates. Understands and values the roles culture and language play in supporting infants’ and young children’s social and emotional development, and incorporates family’s culture and primary language into classrooms and homes to build continuity in the learning experiences for infants and young children between the classroom and home.

Takes time to understand how race/ethnicity, primary language, and abilities influence the family’s experiences and the classroom’s and system’s role in oppressing or supporting wellness. Resists applying a deficit-based perspective to infants, young children, and families who are from historically marginalized and oppressed communities by committing to learning about authentic community strengths and adaptive responses to poverty, historical trauma, and other racialized experiences.

6APromotes Secure and Supportive Relationships Between Infants and Young Children and Adults that Respect the Cultures, Languages, and Abilities of Each Family

6A.1

Direct match

Essential

Helps families and staff deepen their understanding of how the quality of adult-infant/young child relationships impacts the way that infants and young children experience themselves in various settings, learn expectations, and understand how to interact and get along with others.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialMental Health Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Developmental Guidance (MHS)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Uses multiple strategies to help parents/caregivers to a) Understand their role in the social and emotional development of infants and young children, b) Understand what they can do to promote health, language, and cognitive development in infancy and early childhood, and c) Find pleasure in caring for their infants/young children

6A.2

Direct match

Important

Helps families and staff understand and use (or, in the case of HV staff, support families in using) the power of positive relationships and adult-infant/young child interactions to support growth and development.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Relationship-Focused, Therapeutic Practice
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Supports and reinforces each parent's [caregiver's] strenghts, emerging competencies, and positive interations and relationships
ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Relationship-Focused, Therapeutic Practice (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Promotes services that reinforce and nurture the caregiver-infant/young child relationship

6A.3

Direct match

Important

Offers insight into the role of positive sibling, peer, and group interactions in promoting infants' and young children’s growth and well-being. Supports families and staff in promoting, fostering, and/or engaging in such interactions. Suggests, as needed, a range of strategies that honor varying cultural perspectives, and promote successful give-and-take with peers.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Founddations
Knowledge or skill area
Family Relationships & Dynamics
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Shares with families an understanding and appreciation of family relationship development
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Responding with Empathy
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Effectively implements relationship-focused, therapeutic parent-infant/young child interventions that enhance the capacities of parents [caregivers] and infants/young children

6A.4

Same or similar

Essential

Supports the development of and addresses impediments to positive relationships between (1) families and program staff, (2) program team members, (3) early childhood professionals, such as ECE teacher, early childhood providers, ECE administrators, HV staff and their peers and supervisors, and child welfare workers and supervisors.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Thinking
Knowledge or skill area
Solving Problems
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Generates new insights and workable solutions to issues related to effective, relationship-focused, family-centered care
ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Working with others
Knowledge or skill area
Consulting (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Training/coaching of caregivers and/or other professionals (eg, child care teacher, foster parent, health, mental health, legal)

6BSupports Families and Staff in Understanding the Nature of Development and Possibilities for Developmental Support

6B.1

Same or similar

Important

Shares information about how infants and young children learn and develop and the role that culture plays in their development and learning in a way that families and staff can understand, embrace, and use.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMental Health Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Developmental Guidance (MHS)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Uses multiple strategies to help parents/caregivers to a) understand their role in the social and emotional development of infants and young children, b) understand what they can do to promote health, language, and cognitive development in infancy and early childhood, and c) find pleasure in caring for their infants/young children
ImportantMental Health Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Cultural Humility (MHS)
As demonstrated by (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

6B.2

Direct match

Essential

Fosters families’ and staff’s abilities to promote and facilitate the development of infants' and young children’s relational capacities and social and emotional learning, including their capacities for connection and self-regulation.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialMental Health Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Developmental Guidance (MHS)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Uses multiple strategies to help parents/caregivers to a) understand their role in the social and emotional development of infants and young children, b) understand what they can do to promote health, language, and cognitive development in infancy and early childhood, and c) find pleasure in caring for their infants/young children; Uses toys, books, media, etc as appropriate to support developmental guidance

6CSupports Families and Staff in Providing or Encouraging Consistent Routines and Developmentally Appropriate and Culturally Responsive Interactions and Practices

6C.1

Direct match

Important

Supports families and staff in initiating, modifying, and/or supporting routines to promote safety and consistency in developmentally appropriate and culturally meaningful ways.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Developmental Guidance (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Helps parents [caregivers] identify goals and activities that encourage interaction and can be woven into the daily routines of the infant/young child and family [caregiving setting]

6C.2

Direct match

Important

Collaborates with families to promote practices and interactions that respect their cultural values and beliefs and are responsive to the needs of individual infants and young children and groups of infants and young children.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Observation & Listening (MHM)
As demonstrated by (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
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Working with Others
Knowledge or skill area
Collaborating
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Collaborates and shares information with staff of childcare, foster care, community-based programs, and other service agencies to ensure effective, coordinated services

6C.3

Same or similar

Important

Helps staff understand the impact of societal biases and prejudices on one’s own interpretation of infants' and young children’s interactions and behaviors (especially with infants and young children from historically marginalized and oppressed communities).

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Self Awareness (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Encourages others (eg, peers, supervisees) to examine their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences in determining a course of action
ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Leading others (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Developing Talent (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Coaches novice practitioners, students, colleagues, reporting employees, and clients in a range of skills to help them become culturally sensitive individuals

6DFosters a Deepened Understanding of Mental Health Issues and Related Interventions (Child's Behavior)

6D.1

Same or similar

Essential

Assists programs or other settings and staff in selecting, suggesting, and/or implementing observation strategies, tools, assessments, and recording techniques to gain insight into the functioning and social and emotional climate of homes or classrooms, and help to identify and eliminate potential disparities by, race/ethnicity, primary language, culture, abilities, disposition, and life circumstances.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialMentor level
Endorsement competency
Administration (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Program Evaluation (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Identifies opportunities and needs for program improvements, expanded services, and new services; Applies research findings to culturally sensitive, relationship-focused policies promoting infant mental health

6D.2

Same or similar

Important

Helps families and providers integrate ideas, activities, and resources that infuse mental health principles into the daily routines and interactions of a particular home or classroom that respect and respond to family’s culture, language, and values.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMental Health Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Developmental Guidance (MHS)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Uses toys, books, media, etc, as appropriate to support developmental guidance
ImportantMental Health Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Intervention/Treatment Planning (MHS)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Helps parents identify goals and activities that encourage interaction and can be woven into the daily routines of the infant/young child and family

6D.3

Same or similar

Important

Helps providers understand mental health, trauma and healing in the context of historical, racialized trauma.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Leading People (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Developing Talent (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Uses influencing and persuading skills, backed by own and others’ expert knowledge, to promote effective infant mental health principles, practice, and programs

Domain 7: Programmatic Consultation

20 competencies, 4 essential

What This Domain Covers

Maintains a systemic approach and aims for program-wide impact through a focus on multiple issues that affect the overall quality and equity of programs or settings serving infants, young children, and families.

Works to enhance programmatic functioning by assisting program administrators and/or staff in considering the program’s or setting’s overall social and emotional climate; solving issues that affect more than one infant or young child, staff member, and/or family; collecting and using disaggregated data to track program- wide disparities in both opportunity and the ways in which young children are disciplined, and supporting the development and implementation of policies that create more equitable experiences for infants, young children, and families.

7AUnderstands and Attends to Program Cultural Context, Design and Infrastructure

7A.1

Unique to consultation

Essential

Initiates consultation services with an agreement outlining roles, scope of work, duration, and related issues.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Essential
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

7A.2

Direct match

Essential

Establishes a relationship with the program leadership in a manner that builds the program's capacity to embed equitable and inclusive practices that champion social and emotional wellness in program functioning; promote the relational health of infants, young children, families, and staff; and to foster infants' and young children’s healthy social and emotional development.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialMentor level
Endorsement competency
Administration (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Program management (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Promotes relationship-focused service and infant/young child and family-centered practice by identifying options and opportunities; Advocates for funds/programming for effective service delivery to families outside of the dominant culture

7A.3

Unique to consultation

Important

Learns about a program’s organizational structure, including staff roles and responsibilities and lines of authority. Shares information about the role of the consultant, including its parameters and limitations. Uses established pathways to engage all members of the organization to ensure that all voices are heard and considered, particularly those that have been marginalized.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Important
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

7A.4

Same or similar

Important

Becomes familiar with and works within a program’s mission and policies, especially those impacting staff development, family engagement, and positive behavioral supports and provides recommendations to build the program’s capacity to strengthen and embed equitable and inclusive practices to reduce potential disparities in disciplinary practices, access, and opportunity and improve infant and young child outcomes.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Administration (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Program development/management (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Promotes relationship-focused service and infant/young child and family-centered practice by identifying options and opportunities; Identifies opportunities and needs for program improvements, expanded services, and new services

7A.5

Same or similar

Important

Develop an authentic understanding of the communities within which a program is located. This encompasses discovering and documenting the life of the community, including its history, power structures, and service structures.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Thinking
Knowledge or skill area
Analyzing information
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Sees and can explain the “big picture” when analyzing situations; Sees and can explain the interactions of various factors

7A.6

Same or similar

Essential

Pays particular attention to program policies that may disproportionately disadvantage certain groups of infants and young children due to race/ethnicity, primary language, culture, abilities, disposition and life circumstances.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialMentor level
Endorsement competency
Administration (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Program development (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Advocates for funds/programming for effective service delivery to families outside of the dominant culture

7A.7

Direct match

Important

Facilitates the discovery of gaps between policies and program practices that impact the provision of a healthy social and emotional climate and that are related to infant and young child outcomes.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Administration (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Program evaluation (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Establishes and monitors process and outcomes measures for continuous quality improvement; feeds information back to agencies; Identifies opportunities and and needs for program improvements, expanded servcies, and new services

7A.8

Same or similar

Essential

Identifies factors (including policies, practices, leadership style, and professional development) that influence a programs' social and emotional climate.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

EssentialMentor level
Endorsement competency
Administration (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Program development/management (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Promotes relationship-focused service and infant/young child and family-centered practice by identifying options and opportunities

7A.9

Direct match

Important

Evaluates the efficacy of program-level intervention strategies, and revises them as needed to ensure that they respect and respond to family cultures, values, and language.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Administration (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Program evaluation (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Establishes and monitors process and outcome measures for continuous quality improvement; feeds information back to agencies
ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Advocacy (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Encourages use of data to improve practice

7A.10

Direct match

Important

Elicits and explores multiple perspectives in understanding concerns within a program, encourages the development of clear lines of communication between program staff, and represents the perspective of consultees to others across all levels of the institutional hierarchy. Fosters solutions that build collaborative relationships, include the cultural perspectives of program staff and families, and support common goals.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Working with Others
Knowledge or skill area
Collaborating
As demonstrated by (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, corrdinated services
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Communicating
Knowledge or skill area
Listening
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Actively listens to others and asks questions for clarification

7A.11

Same or similar

Important

Facilitates effective interventions to address relational difficulties that negatively impact a program's mental health climate. Understands interpersonal dynamics associated with issues with race/ethnicity, primary language, culture, abilities, disposition, and life circumstances, and how these issues, if left unaddressed, can manifest in conflicts, tensions, and misunderstandings. Understands the context of the community in which a center functions, including factors related to its history, culture, language, values, strengths, and resilience.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Thinking
Knowledge or skill area
Solving problems
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Generates new insights and workable solutions to issues related to effective relationship-focused, family-centered care
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Thinking
Knowledge or skill area
Analyzing Information
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Sees and can explain the “big picture” when analyzing situations; Sees and can explain the interactions of various factors
ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Working with Others
Knowledge or skill area
Resolving Conflict
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Works constructively to find "win-win" solutions to conflicts with colleagues (e.g., interagency, peer-peer, and/or, supervisor-supervisee conflicts)

7BSupports and Facilitates Program-Wide Approaches to Supporting the Mental Health of Infants and Young Children and Families

7B.1

Same or similar

Important

Coordinates with and among external quality enhancement efforts and internal program resources (e.g.,instructional coaches, T/TA efforts, program leadership).

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Administration (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Program Evaluation (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Promotes research & evaluation for program improvements

7B.2

Direct match

Important

Shares information about resources and best practices in order to support programmatic decision making and effective implementation of program-wide approaches to healthy social and emotional development.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Administration (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Program Management (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Applies research findings to culturally sensitive, relationship-focused policies promoting infant and early childhood mental health

7B.3

Direct match

Important

Provides guidance related to resource selection and adaptation in a manner consistent with a specific program’s philosophy, needs, and culture.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Administration (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Program Development (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Partners with agencies, programs, legislative bodies, and/or service systems to develop new services and/or achieve improvements

7CEngages in Group Facilitation

7C.1

Direct match

Important

Facilitates group processes that support staff in working toward and maintaining a focus on established goals. Attends to and manages complex group dynamics.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Communicating
Knowledge or skill area
Group Process (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Effectively facilitates small groups (e.g., interdisciplinary or interagency teams)

7C.2

Direct match

Important

Promotes being sensitive to the feelings of others, communication, and/or activities that facilitate utually respectful relationships, interactions, and teamwork.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Working with Others
Knowledge or skill area
Building & Maintaining Relationships (MHM)
As demonstrated by (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, c) Partnering on projects, and d) Identifying and reaching out to families of cultures not being served or underserved

7C.3

Direct match

Important

Offers direction during times of ambiguity, maintaining a focus on both promoting infants' and young children’s healthy social and emotional development and cultural well-being, and supporting caregivers’ mental health needs.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Leading People (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Motivating (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Models personal commitment and empathy in promotion of all aspects of the practice of infant and early childhood mental health

7DSupports and Facilitates Plans for Mental Health Support During Crises or Disasters

7D.1

Direct match

Important

Facilitates or links programs or other settings to appropriate resources when developing and implementing plans to prepare for or respond to disasters or crises.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Systems Expertise
Knowledge or skill area
Service Delivery Systems (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Utilizes an expert knowledge of the formal service delivery systems and community resources to make decisions and recommendations

7D.2

Unique to consultation

Important

Provides guidance related to the manner in which crisis drills are implemented. Considers developmentally appropriate explanations, procedures, advance preparation, and debriefing for staff, families, and infants and young children. Anticipates potential negative impacts of crises on individual and or groups of children and families, and proactively establishes plans to address needs and concerns before, during, and after the crisis.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Important
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

7D.3

Unique to consultation

Important

Recognizes the nature and parameters of the consultant’s role during crises, and is familiar with available crisis services. Considers the importance of the timing of the consultant’s entry or reentry into a center recently impacted by crisis.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Important
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

Domain 8: Systems-Wide Orientation

15 competencies, all important

What This Domain Covers

Works within and across systems, integrating mental health concepts and supports into environments where infants and young children spend time in ways that respect their cultures.

Maintains awareness of inequities within the systems in which IECMHC occurs, and considers these contexts when seeking to understand factors that promote or hinder the process of change.

For a more in-depth discussion of systems, please see the Systems section of the website.

8AEvaluates the Complexity of Working Within Multiple Systems

8A.1

Same or similar

Important

Demonstrates the ability to articulate basic concepts of systems theory, and understands how they inform the process of IECMHC.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Communicating
Knowledge or skill area
Speaking
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Demonstrates clarity, focus, accuracy, and diplomacy when speaking at workshops, meetings, conferences, legislative sessions, and/or commitee meetings

8A.2

Same or similar

Important

Demonstrates the ability to work concurrently within two or more systems, and understands that changes in response to IECMHC may influence multiple systems.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Systems Expertise
Knowledge or skill area
Service Delivery Systems (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Utilizes an expert knowledge of the formal service delivery systems and community resources to make decisions and recommendations

8A.3

Direct match

Important

Works within and across systems, integrating mental health concepts and supports into the environments where infants and young children spend time in ways that respect their cultures.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Law, Regulation, and Agency Policy
Knowledge or skill area
Government, Law, and Regulation (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Understands, utilizes, and facilitates adherence to provisions and requirements of federal, state, and local laws affecting infants/young children and families within infant and early childhood mental health programs, community groups, etc., including the rights of citizen children of non-citizen parents

8A.4

Same or similar

Important

Considers the historical and cultural contexts of communities and their members, and recognizes cultural influences on values, perspectives, and actions.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Theoretical Foundations
Knowledge or skill area
Cultural Humility
As demonstrated by (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

8A.5

Unique to consultation

Important

Demonstrates awareness of and sensitivity toward attitudes and strengths of community members (e.g., community leaders, agencies, service providers).

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Important
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

8A.6

Same or similar

Important

Understands systemic racism, how it manifests within and acrosss systems, and how it affects infants, young children, and families. Understands how infants', young children's, and families intersecting identities and interactions across systems can compound disadvantage.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Administration (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Program Management
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Advocates for funds/programming for effective service delivery to families outside of the dominant culture

8BBridges Services to Promote Cohesion for Infants, Young Children and Families

8B.1

Same or similar

Important

Gains entry into and engages effectively with programs or other settings serving infants, young children, and families where consultation services are delivered.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Working with Others
Knowledge or skill area
Supporting Others (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Actively participates and works cooperatively with interagency teams, planning committees, and ongoing workgroups

8B.2

Direct match

Important

Maintains up-to-date information about community resources. Limits unnecessary barriers that prevent families from accessing services by making effective referrals.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Systems Expertise
Knowledge or skill area
Community Resources
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Understands the services available through formal service delivery systems through other community resources and through informal supports

8B.3

Direct match

Important

Establishes relationships with professionals in other early childhood and mental health disciplines, including those providing counseling and treatment services.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Working with Others
Knowledge or skill area
Building and Maintaining Relationships (MHM)
As demonstrated by (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, c) Partnering on projects, and d) Identifying and reaching out to families of cultures not being served or underserved

8B.4

Same or similar

Important

Encourages networking between ECE/HV settings and programs or other settings within a community serving infants, young children, and families.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Leading People (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Advocacy (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Uses influencing and persuading skills, backed by own and others' expert knowledge, to promote effective infant and early childhood mental health principles, practices, and programs

8B.5

Direct match

Important

Uses and shares current information about standards (i.e., professional, program, and licensing standards), resources, and other systems serving infants, young children, and families.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Reflection
Knowledge or skill area
Professional/Personal Development
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Regularly examines effectiveness of policies and procedures; Utilizes training and research resources to enhance service effectiveness

8CPromotes Mental Health and Social and Emotional Well-Being

8C.1

Direct match

Important

Promotes healthy social and emotional development through the creation and/or distribution of culturally and linguistically responsive informational materials and resources that can be disseminated to a range of audiences.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Administration (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Program Development (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Advocates for funds/programming for effective service delivery to families outside of the dominant culture

8C.2

Direct match

Important

Maintains visibility as a resource for promoting healthy social and emotional development and mental wellness.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantFamily Specialist level
Endorsement competency
Direct Service Skills
Knowledge or skill area
Advocacy
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Promotes infant and young child mental health service delivery that includes screening referral assessment, use of diagnostic tools, development of trusting relationships, service planning, relationship-based therapeutic parent-infant/young child intervention, and interagency collaboration

8DUnderstands Inequities Across Systems and How to Dismantle Them Through Policy

8D.1

Unique to consultation

Important

Understands historical and current inequitable distribution of opportunities and resources across systems and how such inequities affect families.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

Important
Unique to consultation. This competency must be separately addressed and documented.

8D.2

Same or similar

Important

Understands the role of history and policy in systemic and institutionalized racism, and how to advocate for systemic change to create more equitable systems serving infants, young children, and families.

How It Lines Up with Endorsement

ImportantMentor level
Endorsement competency
Administration (MHM)
Knowledge or skill area
Program Development (MHM)
As demonstrated by (work experience and interview)
Advocates for funds/programming for effective service delivery to families outside of the dominant culture

About this comparison

The full background, purpose, and guidance from the crosswalk itself.

Why This Comparison Exists
Babies, children, caregivers, and families deserve high-quality services from professionals who are informed by infant and early childhood mental health principles and have a relationship-focused approach. This crosswalk is a helpful tool to identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences that lead providers to feel competent and well prepared to meet the complex relational needs of infants, young children, caregivers, and families.
Background
The mission of the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health (Alliance) is to build and sustain a diverse workforce, informed by infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) principles, that strengthens early relationships. The mission is accomplished through advancing social and economic justice and becoming an antiracist organization, supporting professional development and research, and engaging Associations for Infant Mental Health (AIMHs) as partners.
As of 2023(opens in a new tab), the Alliance included infant mental health associations from 35 U.S. states and 2 countries that use the Competency Guidelines for Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship Focused Practice Promoting Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (Endorsement). The Endorsement credential is part of a strategy that supports workforce development in the infant, young child, and family field. It promotes specialized experiences, such as coursework, in-service training, and reflective supervision, that lead to competent application of infant and early childhood mental health principles and practices.
The Endorsement credential provides evidence that an individual can successfully put this knowledge into practice. Over 5,000 professionals had earned Endorsement, and 2,500 more were applying.
The Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (CoE) aims to impact the field of infant and early childhood mental health consultation by supporting the growth and advancement of the profession. IECMH consultants support professionals in early childhood education, home visiting, early intervention, and other early childhood settings. The CoE provides technical assistance to programs, communities, states, territories, and tribal communities, and professional development support for individual mental health consultants, to increase access to high-quality mental health consultation throughout the country.
The CoE has three areas of focus:
- To serve as a clearinghouse for best practice resources related to developing, implementing, and maintaining an IECMH consultation program at a state, territorial, community, or tribal level.
- To provide technical assistance to states, territories, programs, communities, or tribal nations in any stage of IECMH consultation program development
- To provide professional development to IECMH consultants nationally
The Association for Infant Mental Health in Hawaii (AIMH-HI) partnered with the Alliance to grow and strengthen its IECMH-informed workforce. Hawai’i has a particular need to grow its capacity to deliver skilled IECMH consultation and received support from the Hawai’i Community Foundation and other partners to support this project. This crosswalk has been created by the Alliance in collaboration with the CoE, with support from AIMH-HI.
Purpose
This crosswalk is intended to inform individuals; state, tribal, and territorial leaders; mental health agencies; IECMH consultation program directors; and IECMH system leaders about the overlapping and complementary competencies that define best practice for IECMH consultation and the broader competencies defined for the Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. Endorsement is a credential available to all disciplines and sectors of the infant-family workforce to document a specialization in infant/early childhood mental health. The Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Competencies define the knowledge and skills specific to mental health consultation.
The crosswalk can be used to illuminate an individual’s or system’s strengths and gaps in professional development in their efforts to meet best practice standards. For those interested in pursuing Endorsement, generally speaking, IECMH consultation work experience fits best in the prevention scope of practice and is therefore a good fit for work requirements for Infant/Early Childhood Family Specialist Endorsement (IFS/ECFS). Although the work of IECMH consultation is preventative in nature, these multilayered competencies address the complexity and depth of skill required to meet the equally complex needs of infants, young children, caregivers, and families. Therefore, several of the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor (IMHM/ ECMHM) competencies are linked to the competencies the CoE has defined for IECMH consultation.
Using the Crosswalk
Print the PDF version of the crosswalk and check off your strengths. These are the competencies you've already covered through college coursework, in-service training, conferences, on-the-job experience, or other life experience. Then they may wish to highlight those areas that they have not yet addressed or achieved.
The richness of the competencies defined by this crosswalk reflects that the work of consultation is multilayered and intricate as well as clinical and systemic. Because of the depth of knowledge required to do this work well, the list of competencies may appear long and could feel overwhelming at first. Therefore, we have marked with an asterisk (*) the Essential competencies to review first. The Essential competencies are those that most urgently need to be mastered in order for a consultant or team of consultants to begin their work.
The additional competencies are marked with ellipses (…) and categorized as Important. The Important competencies, though also key to high-quality services, can be learned through ongoing training, reflective supervision/consultation, and support as consultants get settled into their roles over time. Note that the competencies marked as Essential are more heavily represented at the beginning of the crosswalk, so they can be completed sooner than it might first seem. For individuals who have earned Endorsement (IMH-E® or ECMH-E®) and are seeking to fill gaps to achieve competence as an IECMH consultant, note that areas marked with an equal sign (=) boxed in green have already been documented through the Endorsement application process. The areas marked with an approximately equal to sign (≈) boxed in yellow have been partially met or addressed through earning Endorsement but may require additional training and/or reflective supervision/consultation. Those marked with a not equal to sign (≠) boxed in blue are unique to mental health consultation and have not been documented through the Endorsement application process.
For individuals who have been working as an IECMH consultant and are interested in earning the Endorsement credential, a comparison of the crosswalk to one’s training record will identify strengths as well as highlight gaps that need to be addressed before submitting an application for Endorsement.
Addressing Gaps
There are a number of ways that individuals can participate in professional development opportunities that will fully address competencies needed for provision of IECMH consultation and/or required for Endorsement. If you want to become an IECMH consultant, start with the CoE consultant self-assessment. It shows your strengths and gaps against the CoE competencies. The Training Hub on the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health website also provides more resources to support these unique IECMH competencies. Further, it’s recommended that all professionals who work with or on behalf of infants, young children, caregivers, and families be connected with their state’s/country’s association for infant mental health (AIMH). The Alliance links to each member association, each of whom also provides relevant training and professional development. ZERO TO THREE (ZTT) offers myriad resources focused on supporting infants, toddlers, families, and the adults who care for them. As a member organization, ZTT provides an active, connected community for professionals in diverse disciplines who are focused on child development, grounded in infant and early childhood mental health, and committed to advancing their knowledge and skills.
How to Read the Marks
Every competency carries two marks. One says how critical it is for a consultant to have. The other says how closely it lines up with the Alliance Endorsement credential.
Direct correlation between the Center of Excellence (CoE) for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health (Alliance)
This competency is a match
Same/similar concept between CoE and Alliance
Some parts of this competency may need to be separately addressed/documented
Unique to CoE
Competency must be separately addressed/documented
Essential
The most critical competencies a consultant needs before beginning to provide IECMH consultation services.
Important
Competencies that are required for the consultant to have that are acceptable to learn while simultaneously providing IECMH consultation 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.

Download the Crosswalk (PDF)Read the IECMHC Competencies Download the Competencies (PDF)

Source. Crosswalk between the Competency Guidelines for Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and the Center of Excellence for IECMHC competencies. Created by the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health in collaboration with the CoE, with support from AIMH-HI (2023). Competency and mapping text is reproduced as published.

Found a gap you want to close

The Practical Certificate in IECMHC trains the consultation practice through 4 months of virtual training with live classes, followed by 8 months of reflective supervision. It builds on the credentials you already hold and does not replace clinical licensure or Endorsement. The self-assessment and the resource library are free and open to everyone.

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Consultation and infant mental health Endorsement

The short version

1Two different things

Infant and early childhood mental health consultation

Infant mental health Endorsement

2Mostly shared

3Only in consultation

The consultant’s role and stance

Working inside a program

Equity and bias in practice

Seeing the child and community in context

Crises and disasters

4Where it fits

5Where to start

I hold Endorsement and want to consult

I consult and want Endorsement

I want to become a consultant

I lead a program or system

All 147 competencies, side by side

Domain 1: Role of the IECMH Consultant

1ADistinguishes IECMHC from Other related Endeavors

1BExhibits an Ability to Work in Natural Settings

1CUnderstands and Engages in the Consultative Process

1DEmbraces the Consultative Stance and Reflective Practice

1EDeepens Knowledge and Skills Through Active Participation in Supervision or Consultation

1FAdheres to Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct

1GCollaborates Respectfully with Other Agencies

1HExplicitly and Intentionally Promotes Equity – from the Individual Level to the Systemic Level

Domain 2: Foundational Knowledge

2AUnderstands the Multidisciplinary Body of Knowledge that Informs Consultation

2BUnderstands the Nature of and Influences on Development

2CUnderstands the Importance and Power of Culture

2DUnderstands the Importance of Self-Awareness and the Nature of Reflective Practice

2EUnderstands the Functioning of and Relationships Between Families, Caregivers, IECMH Consultants, and Systems

Domain 3: Equity and Inclusion

3ADemonstrates an Awareness of Race and Racism, Cultural Variation, and Normative Differences in Family Structure

3BDemonstrates Self-Awareness

3CPromotes Cultural Responsiveness in Practices, Policies, and Procedures

Domain 4: Reflective Practice

4AUses Self-Reflection to Enhance Consultation

4BAssists Others in Reflecting

Domain 5: Child-and-Family-Focused Consultation

5AValues and Promotes the Power of Relationships and the Importance of Relationship-Building

5BWorks Collaboratively to Understand an Infant's and Young Child’s Behavior

5CSupports and Facilitates Plan Development and Implementation on Child's Behavior

5DSupports and Facilitates Referrals, Service Provision, and Community Collaboration

Domain 6: Classroom-and-Home-Focused Consultation

6APromotes Secure and Supportive Relationships Between Infants and Young Children and Adults that Respect the Cultures, Languages, and Abilities of Each Family

6BSupports Families and Staff in Understanding the Nature of Development and Possibilities for Developmental Support

6CSupports Families and Staff in Providing or Encouraging Consistent Routines and Developmentally Appropriate and Culturally Responsive Interactions and Practices

6DFosters a Deepened Understanding of Mental Health Issues and Related Interventions (Child's Behavior)

Domain 7: Programmatic Consultation

7AUnderstands and Attends to Program Cultural Context, Design and Infrastructure

7BSupports and Facilitates Program-Wide Approaches to Supporting the Mental Health of Infants and Young Children and Families

7CEngages in Group Facilitation

7DSupports and Facilitates Plans for Mental Health Support During Crises or Disasters

Domain 8: Systems-Wide Orientation

8AEvaluates the Complexity of Working Within Multiple Systems

8BBridges Services to Promote Cohesion for Infants, Young Children and Families

8CPromotes Mental Health and Social and Emotional Well-Being

8DUnderstands Inequities Across Systems and How to Dismantle Them Through Policy

About this comparison

Why This Comparison Exists

Background

Purpose

Using the Crosswalk

Addressing Gaps

How to Read the Marks

Found a gap you want to close

Two different things

Mostly shared

Only in consultation

Where it fits

Where to start