February Newsletter
Updates From Us
We're thrilled to share some exciting updates on all the great things happening at Oregon Infant Mental Health Association (ORIMHA) this month.
Issue Brief.
Please check out ORIMHA’s first Issue Brief, Summary: Addressing Suspension and Expulsion in Early Childhood Education Settings: An Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health-Informed Approach. This brief summarizes the report published by the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health, which addresses suspensions and expulsions in Early Childhood Education (ECE) settings, and advocates for an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) approach to foster supportive, nurturing environments that aid children’s emotional and social development.
Click here to read additional Issue Briefs.
Recognizing Mary Foltz.
As ORIMHA celebrates 10 years as a non-profit organization, we reflect on how grateful we are for the dedicated individuals who have led and shaped our organization over the years. This recognition extends to our founders, who spearheaded the creation of ORIMHA, and to our past and current leaders and members who have tirelessly contributed to our mission.
We would like to use this space to recognize a founding or impactful board member each month. This month we would like to honor Mary Foltz.
Mary Foltz, Principal, Mary Foltz & Associates, LLC., is a program and professional development consultant with close to 45 years of experience working with child and family programs across the Pacific Northwest and the county. She has extensive experience with organizational planning and implementation. Mary provides in-depth training on Leadership, Supervision, Reflective Practices, and Coaching. She was a co-developer of the Infant Toddler Mental Health Graduate Certificate Program at PSU, and served on the faculty for over a decade. Mary is a charter member and Past President of the Oregon Infant Mental Health Association. Mary is dedicated to promoting the well-being of children, families, and staff through approaches which are relationship-based, reflective, and responsive.
Thank you, Mary, for all of your efforts.
Mary Foltz at ORIMHA’s most recent gathering in Portland sharing original board minutes!
Changes to Endorsement Renewal & Reinstatement.
Renewal:
To maintain your Endorsement, ongoing professional development, RSC, and active AIMH membership are required. Renewal follows a 3-year cycle (2024, 2027, 2030, etc.) and occurs from October 1–December 31. If you earned your Endorsement mid-cycle, a partial set of requirements applies. The next renewal deadline is December 31, 2027.
Reinstatement:
If you miss the renewal deadline, you’ll be removed from the Endorsement Registry. To reinstate, you must:
Submit 15 hours of training completed in the last 12 months.
Connect with an RSC provider and plan for 12 hours of RSC per year.
Agree to the Ethics Statement and maintain AIMH membership.
Pay any applicable reinstatement fees.
Stay on track to maintain your Endorsement!
Recordatorio de Renovación y Reinstalación de su Endoso.
Renovación:
Para mantener su Acreditación, se requiere desarrollo profesional continuo, Supervisión Reflexiva (RSC) y membresía activa en AIMH. La renovación sigue un ciclo de 3 años (2024, 2027, 2030, etc.) y se realiza del 1 de octubre al 31 de diciembre. Si obtuvo su Acreditación a mitad del ciclo, se aplicarán requisitos parciales. La próxima fecha límite de renovación es el 31 de diciembre de 2027.
Reinstalación:
Si no cumple con la fecha límite de renovación, será removido del Registro de Acreditaciones. Para reinstalar su acreditación, debe:
Presentar 15 horas de formación completadas en los últimos 12 meses.
Estar conectado con un proveedor de RSC y planear recibir 12 horas de RSC por año.
Aceptar la Declaración de Ética y mantener su membresía en AIMH.
Pagar las tarifas de reinstalación, si corresponde.
¡Manténgase al día para conservar su Endoso!
Every Child Belongs.
Every Child Belongs is the new name for the Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program. ORIMHA’s role as the Central Entity for this program includes attending to the wellbeing of early educators and childcare providers through the implementation of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Consultation.
We understand that the wellbeing of providers impacts the use of exclusionary practices. Workplace wellbeing is a focus of the US Surgeon General and this graphic and concepts will be useful as we consider how best to support providers through Every Child Belongs.
Job Openings.
NeighborImpact is hiring an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Advisor. Click here to learn more and apply!
MountainStar is looking to hire a new part time (20-hour) position to work throughout the Warm Springs Reservation. Click here to find out more about the Outreach Coordinator position. Contact hr@mtstar.org with questions or interest.
MountainStar Family Relief Nursery is recruiting an Early Childcare Specialist to join their team in Bend, Oregon. Click here for more information about the Early Childcare Specialist position. Contact hr@mtstar.org with questions or interest.
Scholarship Opportunities.
Did you know you may be eligible for scholarships to help pay for professional development opportunities? Check out the Portland State University scholarship page for more information.
Congratulations are in order!
Congratulations to our new endorsee:
Julie Plagenhoef
Be a voice for babies, families, and the community.
Make a donation today.
Are you in need of reflective supervision?
ORIMHA has a Reflective Supervision Registry where you can find a list of Infant Mental Health Mentors and Infant Mental Health Specialists. Click below to access the registry. AND ORIMHA is offering low-cost group sessions. If you are interested, please email andrea@or-imha.org for more information.
Do you have questions about Endorsement?
Did you know ORIMHA offers virtual support office hours in both English and Spanish? Click the link below for more information. Office hours are located in the announcements section. You do not need to log in to view.
