Workforce

Learn about the competencies, training, supervision, mentoring, and quality assurance systems needed to build a strong IECMHC workforce.

National Competencies

Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Competencies

Intended to facilitate national consensus on the practice of IECMHC and how it differs from related early childhood services, this document articulates the specific role of the MHC, the knowledge required to perform the role, and the tasks that define IECMHC.

Workforce Building Resources

Consultant Assessment (updated Aug. 2021)

The Consultant Assessment was created to help you figure out where to focus your learning journey. By using this assessment to gauge your knowledge of and skills in the IECMH Consultant Competencies, you will be able to better develop a training plan that fits your needs.

Foundational Modules

A free self-assessment developed by the Center of Excellence based on the National Competencies designed to support Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants in their professional development. These modules are designed to be flexible and can be viewed in any order.

NEW! Consultative Stance Brief

The quality of the ECMH consultant-consultee relationship is proving to be a predictor of positive service outcomes. The Consultative Stance outlines the elements essential to establishing effective interaction. This document describes each element. It is excerpted from Johnston, K, and Brinamen, C. (2006). Mental Health Consultation in Child Care: Transforming Relationships Among Directors, Staff, and Families.

NEW! Hiring Guidance

This e-learning module is designed to support IECMHC program managers in the hiring process of IECMH consultants.

NEW! Training and Support Guide

This e-learning module is designed to support IECMHC program managers in the onboarding training and support of IECMH consultants in their first year.

NEW! Sustaining IECMH Consultants in their Jobs

Mental health consultants are uniquely positioned to bridge consultees to needed direct mental health services. As infant and early childhood mental health professionals, consultants are aware of the powerful impact of the early years to a child’s healthy development. The strategies in this resource brief help to ensure a successful referral.

NEW! Bridging IECMHC to Direct Mental Health Services

Supporting and facilitating successful referrals is one of the core skill areas of mental health consultation. Mental health consultants are uniquely positioned to bridge consultees to needed direct mental health services. As infant and early childhood mental health professionals, consultants are aware of the powerful impact of the early years to a child’s healthy development. The strategies in this resource brief help to ensure a successful referral.

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Workforce Development Plan Overview

This resource outlines key considerations for building a skilled workforce of Mental Health Consultants. In addition to providing a summary of recommended MHC qualifications and competencies, this resource presents guidance on five domains for workforce development: orientation, service delivery, skill building, ongoing training, and reflective supervision.

Curriculum Guidelines for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation

Building from the IECMHC Competencies guidelines, this resource is intended to assist programs in developing comprehensive training standards and content to build their MHC workforce. Specific domains, content areas, and training tools are outlined.

IECMHC Training Qualifications Grid

Across several practice environments, this resource lists the qualifications, training, and supervision necessary to function competently as a MHC.

Training and Workforce Development Activities that Prepare and Support IECMH Consultants

Describes a range of opportunities and approaches to MHC training, broken down by practice environments and targeted to different levels of MHC experience.

A Day in the Life of an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant

Across several practice environments, this resource lists the qualifications, training, and supervision necessary to function competently as a MHC.