Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation, part of Georgetown University’s Thrive Center

Design the IECMHC system for your organization, agency, or state

Learn to design, evaluate, lead, and scale IECMHC systems. You'll build fluency in the evidence base, implementation science, policy, and the leadership skills behind high-quality IECMHC.

9
months online certificate
10
CEUs
$6,000
per seat
August 1
applications close
Apply for the fall 2027 cohort(opens in a new tab)

How it works

  1. Apply for the September 2027 cohort
    • Applications close August 1, 2027
  2. 9-month online program
    • One live Zoom session a month, on Fridays from 11am to 1pm ET
    • Asynchronous coursework through Canvas
    • A capstone project runs throughout the program, with milestones integrated into each session
  3. Join a network of national leaders
    • A cohort of roughly 30 to 50 program directors, policymakers, evaluators, and experienced consultants
    • Capstone presentations to the cohort in the final session
    • Ongoing alumni office hours and an asynchronous alumni community after the program

Leadership Certificate in IECMHC

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See the Leadership Certificate in 90 seconds

A short film from the Thrive Center and the Center of Excellence for IECMHC about the program.

Apply for the fall 2027 cohort(opens in a new tab)

What you'll learn

There's one live session a month, and they run in this order. Open a session to see what it covers.

  • Orientation: welcome and program overview

    Introduction to the cohort, capstone expectations, and the leadership frame for the certificate.

  • History, theory, and the IECMHC landscape

    Foundations of IECMHC from a leadership perspective: history, theory of change, and an overview of the current national landscape. Capstone topic identification begins.

  • The evidence base and program evaluation

    Critical appraisal of the IECMHC evidence base. Key principles of program evaluation design for IECMHC leaders. Capstone literature review and scoping.

  • Assessment, documentation, and data for leaders

    How assessment and documentation support accountability, quality improvement, and communication with stakeholders. Capstone methodology development.

  • Systems, implementation, and scale

    Implementation science applied to IECMHC: fidelity, adaptation, scaling, and sustainability at the state and organizational level. Capstone progress check-in.

  • Leading consultation: program design and operations

    Designing consultation programs: service delivery models, staffing, workflow, family engagement, and partnerships. Capstone draft development.

  • Equity, disparity, and cultural responsiveness in IECMHC systems

    Leading for equity: how systems and structures perpetuate or interrupt disparities, and the consultant-leader's role in advancing culturally responsive practice. Capstone equity review.

  • Trauma-informed systems and organizational leadership

    Building trauma-informed organizational culture: secondary traumatic stress, workforce well-being, and systems-level trauma-informed practice. Capstone refinement.

  • Reflective supervision as a leadership practice

    How reflective supervision works as a leadership and organizational development strategy, beyond its clinical use. Capstone peer review and feedback.

  • Capstone presentations and looking ahead

    Cohort capstone presentations. Reflection on professional growth, next steps, and the network you've built. Celebration of completion.

Who it's for

The certificate trains current and future IECMHC leaders. To apply, you need:

  • Education

    • A graduate degree in a relevant field, including mental health (psychology, counseling, social work), public health, public policy, education leadership, or a related discipline, or
    • A current role evaluating, developing, managing, scaling, advocating for, or funding IECMHC

  • Experience

    • Currently working in mental health, early childhood, policy, evaluation, public health, or a related field
    • Experience with IECMHC programs, consultation, or early childhood systems helps but isn't required. The program builds that grounding.

Don't meet these requirements exactly? Email us before you apply.
We try to be flexible. Email us to discuss exceptions.

Who takes it

People in, or moving into, roles that shape how IECMHC is designed, delivered, evaluated, funded, and sustained. That includes:

  • IECMHC program directors and managers
  • Mental health clinicians moving into supervisory or systems-level roles
  • State and local agency administrators overseeing IECMHC initiatives
  • Early childhood systems leaders (Head Start directors, CCR&R leaders, Part C coordinators)
  • Policy advisors and advocates working in early childhood mental health
  • Funders and program officers supporting IECMHC investments
  • Faculty and researchers studying IECMHC implementation and outcomes

Instructors

Guest faculty

Questions before you apply

  • Can I take this program if I'm based outside the US?

    Most likely, yes. Residents of most countries can register for our online certificate programs, though international law prohibits registration from a small number of countries. We don't require a TOEFL score. You'll need to read, write, and understand English at a graduate level to get the most out of the program.

  • What does the program cost?

    $6,000.

  • Can I use financial aid to pay for it?

    No. Noncredit professional certificates don't qualify for federal financial aid, scholarships, grants, or needs-based aid. Email us to ask about other ways to pay.

  • Can my organization enroll several people at once?

    Yes, and we'd like to talk it through with you. Email us to discuss options.

  • We want some staff in the Leadership Certificate and others in the Practical Certificate. Is there a discount?

    Possibly. Organizations enrolling in both certificates may be eligible for combined pricing. Email us to learn more.

  • Who do I contact with questions?

    Email us.

Ready?

Apply for the fall 2027 cohort(opens in a new tab)