Early Childhood Family Reflective Supervisor Endorsement® Requirements

Overview of Early Childhood Family Associate Competencies

Education and/or Work Experience	Official transcripts from any academic coursework including Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and/or Doctorate degrees OR Official transcript/certificate from Child Development Associate (CDS) Program OR Two years of early childhood-related paid work experience
Training	Applicants will include as many hours of training and/or continuing education as necessary to document that competencies (as specified in Competency Guidelines®) have been met For those whose coursework is from a field that is unrelated to early childhood, more specialized in-service training may be required to meet the breadth and depth of the competencies Training content will include the promotion of social-emotional development and/or the relationship-based principles of infant and early childhood mental health Minimum 30 clock hours required Typically, successful ECFA applications include 40 or more hours of specialized training unless the applicant has completed coursework specific to the Competency Guidelines®
Reflective Supervision/ Consultation	Encouraged, but not required for Early Childhood Family Associate (ECFA)
Professional Reference Ratings	Total of 3 required: One must come from a current supervisor At least one must come from an individual who is IMH or ECMH endorsed, meets Endorsement® requirements, or is familiar with the Competency Guidelines® and vetted by Endorsement Coordinator One can come from a colleague, teacher, CDA mentor or Board member who is familiar with the applicant’s knowledge of infant and early childhood mental health principles
Code of Ethics & Endorsement® Agreement	Signed
Demonstration of Competencies	Application will demonstrate that competencies have been adequately met through course work, in-service training and work/volunteer experiences. Reflective supervision/consultation, although not required, is recommended and will support demonstration of competencies. Written examination not required for applicants seeking Early Childhood Family Associate Endorsement®
Professional Membership	Membership in the Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Association

The materials supporting the Connecticut Association for infant Mental Health (CT-AIMH) Competency Guidelines® are copyrighted by the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health (MI-AIMH). The CT-AIMH is able to make these materials available to our membership and collaborators through a licensing agreement with the MI-AIMH.

Copyright law does allow individuals to print out or make ONE copy of copyrighted material for personal, non-commercial purposes only. None of the copyrighted Endorsement® documents included here may be reproduced, displayed, distributed, or otherwise used in any format, including electronically, without the express written consent of MI-AIMH. Legal action will be taken against those who violate the copyright.

Copyright law does allow individuals to print out or make ONE copy of copyrighted material for personal, non-commercial purposes only. None of the copyrighted Endorsement® documents included here may be reproduced, displayed, distributed or otherwise used in any format, including electronically, without the express written consent of MI-AIMH. Legal action will be taken against those who violate the copyright.

Contact Us

Connecticut Association for Infant Mental Health, Inc.
c/o Yale Child Study Center
Attn: Linda Isakson
230 South Frontage Road
New Haven, CT 06520
Phone: 203-737-6422
[email protected]