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Start Endorsement® 

Become Recognized for Your Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialization

Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health

Infant Mental Health (IMH) and Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) Endorsement® for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant Mental Health (IMH-E®) and (ECMH-E®) are internationally recognized credentials that support and recognize the development and proficiency of professionals who work with or on behalf of young children, ages zero through five, and their families.

Each is based on a set of Competencies® designed to support and enhance culturally-sensitive, relationship focused practice within the framework of infant and early childhood mental health. An applicant demonstrates acquisition of these Competencies® through education, work, specialized training, and reflective supervision experiences.

Working with our youngest citizens requires specialized training and experience, and IMH and ECMH Endorsement® ensures professionals have attained a certain level of expertise with very young children and their families. IMH and ECMH Endorsement® is relevant for professionals across disciplines including early care and education, prevention and early intervention, home visitation, medicine, child welfare, mental health, policy, academia, and others.

 

Endorsement is available across diverse specialties spanning the promotion, prevention, intervention continuum of care. Individuals apply for the IMH and ECMH Endorsement® that best matches their knowledge, skills, and experiences.

Steps to Becoming Endorsed by First 5 Alabama
Start your application process by clicking "Endorsement Application" and giving an overview of your specialized work, education and Reflective Supervision or Consultation (if applicable).
Once registration steps have been completed you will receive an email from the Endorsement Coordinator. This email will include helpful documents and an introduction to your First 5 Alabama trained Endorsement Advisor who will help support you through the Endorsement® process.

3. Prepare a Professional Application

A Trained Endorsement Review Team will carefully review each submitted application to ensure all requirements have been met.
Applicants will be notified once per quarter by the Endorsement Coordinator.

4. Endorsement Review

Please note: It may take 24-48 hours to receive a response. If you need further assistance, please contact the Endorsement® Coordinator at first5AL@apcteam.org.
Endorsement® Support
For more information on Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement®, contact:

First 5 Alabama® Endorsement® Coordinator
first5AL@apcteam.org
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