IECMH in ECE Learning Collaborative

Learning Collaborative in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health for Early Childhood Education Professionals

January-September 2026

Join our 2026 learning collaborative to integrate infant/early childhood mental health principles into your early childhood practice!

Why IECMH in ECE?

Early care and education providers have unique opportunities to promote infant/early childhood mental health by building and nurturing relationships that support social and emotional development, healthy attachments, and family engagement. This work impacts early brain development and is critical for the child’s lifelong health, mental health, and learning. We know that the work in ECE settings is as rewarding as it is weighty. IECMH principles and practices are crucial to guide ALL work that involves infants’ optimal development and social/emotional well-being. This project supports providers to promote IECMH through training, reflection, creation of a community within ECE, and support to earn  IECMH-Endorsement^® credential .

What’s involved in the initial phase (year 1) of this pilot project?

• Attend 2 Trainings (CELP approved)- 42 total hrs

Dates: Thursdays, 2/26/26, 3/5/26, 3/12/26 1:00-5:00pm, Virtual

OR

Dates: Fridays, 4/3/26 & 4/24/26, 9:00-3:30, Warwick, RI 

2) Touchpoints: The How of Child and Family Engagement (30hrs) 

Dates: Spring/Summer 2026 (TBD with group input)

• Support to submit your IMH Endorsement^® application (requires approximately 10 hrs) that affirms specialized knowledge, skills, and experiences working with infants, young children and their families.
• Participants offered: RIAIMH 2026 membership and $500 professional payment upon earning the Endorsement credential

Registration is limited to 40 participants

REGISTER

Additional information about activities above will be provided after registration.

Who’s Eligible?

• Staff working directly with infants and/or toddlers and their families
• Identified as a leader in your program
• Staff employed in programs that accept CCAP subsidies
• Participants will need approval from their supervisors/administrators to support time required for participation in the project
• Questions? Contact Sheila Grant Orphanides, info@riaimh.org, (401) 346-9450.

 We look forward to learning and growing community with you! 

This work is supported in part by RI DHS.