How to apply for Endorsement®
Endorsement® categories and fees
Depending on your academic, work and professional development experiences with infants/young children and families, you may be eligible to apply for one of four categories of the Endorsement For Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant Mental Health® (RI-IMH-Endorsement®). Each category has specific work, education, in-service training, and reflective supervision/consultation requirements.
- Infant Family Associate
- Infant Family Specialist
- Infant Mental Health Specialist
- Infant Mental Health Mentor in Policy, Clinical, or Research arenas.
Steps to Endorsement®
- Become a Rhode Island Association for Infant Mental Health (RIAIMH) member.
- Use the “Getting Started” self-study guide to help assess your experiences and determine what additional specialized training might be necessary to meet the Competency requirements for RI-IMH-Endorsement®.
- Register in the EASy system and pay the $25 registration fee. EASy will email you a temporary password to set up your account.
- The RIAIMH Endorsement Coordinator will email you more detailed information about completing the RI-IMH-Endorsement® process and advise you as needed.
- Build your professional application, including work, in-service training and supervisory experiences. This reflects your capabilities within the infant and family field.
- Once you have gathered all necessary documentation (including reference ratings and transcripts), complete your portfolio and submit it through the EASy system with the appropriate processing fee.
- During the formal application review, a minimum of two reviewers will comprehensively examine your materials and come to agreement about whether or not you have met the requirements and Competencies.
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- Infant Family Associate & Infant Family Specialist applicants receive an Endorsement® decision after at least two trained volunteers who have earned Endorsement® examine and approve the application.
- Infant Mental Health Specialist and Infant Mental Health Mentor applicants move on to a written exam after at least two trained volunteers who have earned IMH-Endorsement® examine and approve their application. (See the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health website for more information about the exam.)
- You will receive an official Certificate of RI-IMH-Endorsement® in the mail.
Resources
Endorsement how-to webinars
Alliance Webinars
The Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health (Alliance) has developed a series of webinars to assist applicants with the Endorsement® process. The following webinars can be accessed through Vimeo:
- What is Endorsement®?
- What is Infant Mental Health Endorsement®?
- What is Infant Mental Health Mentor Endorsement®? (Part 1/2)
- EASy: Infant Mental Health Mentor (Part 2/2 - password required)
- What is Infant Mental Health Specialist Endorsement®? (Part 1/2)
- EASy: Infant Mental Health Specialist (Part 2/2 - password required)
- What is Infant Family Specialist Endorsement®? (Part 1/2)
- EASy: Infant Family Specialist (Part 2/2 - password required)
- What is Infant Family Associate Endorsement®? (Part 1/2)
- EASy: Infant Family Associate (Part 2/2 - password required)
- How to: Registering on EASy
- Role: Applicant (EASy Getting Started)
- Role: Applicant (EASy References)
- Role: Applicant (EASy Submission)
- Role: Reviewer (Setting Preference/Help Features)
- How to: Resetting Password/Editing Profile on EASy
- How to: Completing a Reference Rating Form
(Please note: some webinars require a password to view. Please contact RIAIMH's Endorsement Coordinator for the password.)
RIAIMH follows The Alliance's guidance in creating Endorsement® processes and trainings. However, there could be some slight differences between the Alliance and our local Association (RIAIMH). If you have a question, please contact RIAIMH's Endorsement Coordinator. (Please note: Our Endorsement Coordinator works part-time.)
MI-AIMH Webinars
The Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health (MI-AIMH) has developed training webinars for anyone who may utilize the Endorsement Application System (EASy), including applicants, advisors, reviewers, and administrators. You can access these webinars on the MI-AIMH website. Please contact RIAIMH's Endorsement Coordinator for the password. (Please note: Our Endorsement Coordinator works part-time. Emails are monitored on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.)
Tips for reference ratings
Reference ratings for Endorsement® are critically important. They are filled out electronically via the EASy system. Learn more.
Exam preparation
Endorsement® applicants are encouraged to begin studying as soon as they decide that they hope to sit for an upcoming exam. Learn more.
RIAIMH is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. RIAIMH is a founding member of the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health.
RIAIMH is an affiliate of the World Association for Infant Mental Health. |
