What is Endorsement?
Endorsement (IMH-E®) recognizes specialized experience in the infant-family field. It is not a replacement for licensure or certification but serves as evidence of expertise in infant mental health. Endorsement® is cross-sector and multidisciplinary, including professionals from child development, education, nursing, pediatrics, psychiatry, psychology, social work, counseling, and others. It reflects an individual’s specialization in infant mental health within their professional discipline.
Endorsed professionals have completed specialized education, training, and reflective supervision/consultation, demonstrating competency in infant mental health promotion and practice. However, Endorsement® does not confer the ability to practice as a licensed mental health professional, though many endorsed individuals also hold a professional license.
Endorsement® must be renewed annually. Failure to renew will result in removal from the Endorsement® Registry.
NMAIMH Endorsement provides valuable information to employers, parents, health professionals, and insurance providers, assuring that the endorsed individual has demonstrated expertise in the social and emotional development of infants and young children in relationship with their caregivers.
Endorsement is Good for Babies
Babies’ early experiences and relationships shape how the brain is built and form the foundation for all future development. In order to support optimal early relational development, support for professional development initiatives in the infant, young child and family workforce is a crucial strategy.
Growing evidence indicates that endorsed professionals are better prepared to support the foundational early development of babies and young children, in the context of their caregiving relationships.
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