Who We Are
The Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health is a global leader committed to fostering the emotional and social well-being of infants, young children, and their families. With a focus on building a highly skilled workforce, we equip professionals with the skills, tools, knowledge, and resources they need to deliver reflective, relationship-centered, culturally responsive care.
As a collaborative network spanning 36 U.S. state associations of infant mental health, and associations in Ireland, and Australia, we set the standard for quality by promoting reflective supervision/consultation (RSC), the Competency Guidelines for Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health, and the globally recognized Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement (IECMH-E®), which embodies excellence in the field of infant and early childhood mental health.
Our mission is grounded in connection and innovation, bringing together diverse perspectives to advance workforce development, reflective supervision/consultation, and systemic change. We believe that investing in the people who support young children and their families is essential to creating lasting positive impact across communities.
The Goals of the Alliance are to:
Advance Workforce Development
Equip professionals with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to support the emotional and social well-being of infants, young children, and their families.
Promote the adoption and use of the Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement (IECMH-E®) as the standard for excellence in the field and provide training/technical assistance around the credential.
Promote Reflective Practices
Foster reflective supervision/consultation as a critical tool for supporting professionals’ growth, resilience, and effectiveness in working with families and young children.
Build capacity for reflective practices across diverse systems and organizations.
Set and Uphold Professional Standards
Maintain and promote high standards of quality care and relationship-centered practices through the Competency Guidelines and credentialing.
Advocate for the recognition and integration of infant and early childhood mental health principles across professional disciplines and systems.
Support Global Collaboration
Partner with organizations across the U.S. and internationally to create a unified and impactful network of professionals dedicated to infant and early childhood mental health.
Across the globe, encourage research, innovation, and shared learning to continuously improve practices in the field.
Market the international publication, Infant Mental Health Journal: Infancy & Early Childhood.
Promote Equity and Inclusion
Ensure that all professionals, regardless of background or geography, have access to the tools and resources needed to succeed in the infant and early childhood field.
Enhance Systemic Impact
Influence broader systems to integrate relationship-centered approaches into healthcare, education, and social services.
Expand Awareness and Advocacy
Advocate for the critical role of the workforce in fostering the healthy development of young children and families.
Foster Professional Community
Provide a supportive and collaborative space for professionals and organizations to connect, learn, and grow together.
Respond to interest from potential collaborators and members and connect the community to shared resources.
Expand Awareness and Utilization of Infant Mental Health Home Visiting
Promote the evidence-based model of infant mental health home visiting as a cornerstone for delivering relationship-centered, culturally responsive care to families.
““Being part of the Alliance helps us connect with colleagues, resources, news, and research around the world. It keeps us focused on the infant mental health work within our state, while broadening our understanding and desire to contribute to global work and perspectives.””