ASSOCIATION OF INFANT MENTAL HEALTH IN TENNESSEE

AIMHITN WAS BORN OUT OF A 7+ YEAR GRASSROOTS INITIATIVE WHICH BROUGHT TOGETHER INDIVIDUALS AND AGENCIES INTERESTED IN INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH (IECMH). AIMHITN CONTINUES TO WORK TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, IDENTIFY EXISTING RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES, AND WORK TO IDENTIFY WHAT IS NEEDED TO ADDRESS THE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF INFANTS, YOUNG CHILDREN, AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WORK OF THE AGENCY BRINGS TOGETHER PARTNERS ACROSS DISCIPLINES AND ACROSS THE SECTORS AND STRIVES TO ADVANCE IECMH THROUGH BUILDING AWARENESS, PROMOTING PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY, FOSTERING PARTNERSHIPS, AND SUPPORTING POLICIES WHICH ARE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF INFANTS, YOUNG CHILDREN, THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.

AT AIMHITN, WE ADVOCATE FOR THE WELL-BEING OF INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN, EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY-CENTERED, RELATIONSHIP-FOCUSED PRACTICES. OUR COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING STRONG FOUNDATIONS, NURTURING SECURE RELATIONSHIPS, AND SHAPING PROMISING FUTURES FOR CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE SIX REFLECTS OUR CORE BELIEF THAT THESE ELEMENTS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR LIFELONG WELL-BEING AND SUCCESS. BY EARNING AN ENDORSEMENT, PROFESSIONALS EXPAND THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS, BECOMING KEY PARTNERS IN OUR MISSION TO STRENGTHEN EARLY RELATIONAL HEALTH, FOSTER MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS, AND PROMOTE LONG-TERM POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. THEIR EXPERTISE MAGNIFIES OUR COLLECTIVE IMPACT, BRINGING US CLOSER TO ENSURING EVERY CHILD HAS THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO THRIVE. THE INFANT MENTAL HEALTH ENDORSEMENT (IMH-E) AND EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH ENDORSEMENT (ECMH-E) ARE ROOTED IN A SET OF COMPETENCIES DESIGNED TO SUPPORT AND ENHANCE COMMUNITY-CENTERED, RELATIONSHIP-FOCUSED PRACTICES WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH. ENDORSEMENT APPLICANTS DEMONSTRATE PROFICIENCY IN THESE COMPETENCIES THROUGH EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE, SPECIALIZED TRAINING, AND REFLECTIVE SUPERVISION. WORKING WITH INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN REQUIRES SPECIALIZED TRAINING, AND ENDORSEMENT ENSURES THAT PROFESSIONALS MEET ESTABLISHED STANDARDS OF EXPERTISE IN SUPPORTING YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. IMH-E APPLIES TO PROFESSIONALS WORKING WITH CHILDREN AGES 0-3 AND THEIR FAMILIES, WHILE ECMH-E APPLIES TO THOSE WORKING WITH CHILDREN AGES 3-6 AND THEIR FAMILIES. BOTH ENDORSEMENTS ARE RELEVANT FOR PROFESSIONALS ACROSS DISCIPLINES, INCLUDING EDUCATION, CHILD WELFARE, EARLY CARE, HOME VISITATION, HEALTHCARE, MENTAL HEALTH, POLICY, PREVENTION, AND EARLY INTERVENTION.