September 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.
Upcoming Event.
REMINDER: The 2024 Northwest Early Learning and Pyramid Summit invites early childhood administrators, coaches, behavior specialists and state teams to come together for in-depth learning and networking to promote young children's social emotional development and equity in early learning.
Summit Registration: $425
An Important Update.
As you know, continued growth and development are crucial for all IECMH professionals, ensuring the maintenance and enhancement of skills, knowledge, and ethical practices. AIMH captures this ongoing professional development through Endorsement renewal. We are excited to share that Endorsement® renewal will now be captured through an attestation process and is moving to a three-year renewal cycle. You will be receiving an email with instructions on how to renew soon. Stay Tuned!
The 2024 Endorsement renewal period is from October 1 through December 31, 2024. Once your Endorsement is renewed, it will be due again on December 31, 2027.
What is IECMH Consultation?
According to the Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Consultation at Georgetown University, “IECMH Consultation is a prevention-based approach that pairs a mental health consultant with adults who work with infants and young children in the different settings where they learn and grow, such as child care, preschool, home visiting, early intervention and their home. Mental health consultation is not about ‘fixing kids.’ Nor is it therapy. Mental health consultation equips caregivers to facilitate children’s healthy social and emotional development.” IECMH Consultation is a strategy to support caregivers in ways that prevent babies and young children from being excluded from childcare or early childhood education settings. Because IECMH Consultation is equity-centered, the services are offered with cultural humility and in a collaborative approach that is sensitive to the needs of the children, families, caregivers, and community.
ORIMHA’s Role.
Oregon’s Department of Early Learning & Care (DELC) has selected ORIMHA to help build IECMH Consultation services across the state by:
* Developing standards and guidelines for IECMH consultation programs that are culturally responsive, implemented with a focus on anti bias and inclusive practices, and effective in preventing suspension and expulsion
*Defining the essential skills and competencies for IECMH Consultants
*Supporting the knowledge and skill development of IECMH Consultants and program leaders
*Developing a variety of strategies and workforce pathways to increase the diversity of Oregon’s IECMH consultation workforce.
*Providing technical assistance and implementation support on all aspects of implementing and administering an IECMHC program
*Engaging in Continuous Quality Improvement and Evaluation Activities to adjust and evolve program practices
To learn more, check out this 2-minute video on What is IECMH Consultation
Interesado/a en el Endoso
¿Sabía que puede obtener un endoso y una credencial que demuestre su experiencia trabajando con o en nombre de niños de 0 a 6 años y sus familias? El endoso está disponible en cuatro especialidades de práctica. Los profesionales solicitan la categoría de Endoso que mejor se adapte a su ámbito de práctica. Para completar el proceso de registro en español, siga este enlace: https://orimha.myeasy.org/es
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 endorsees:
Louise Horn
Robin Webb
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.
