Certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Family Leadership

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The Certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Family Leadership prepares caregivers of young children as front-line peer support and community health workers. The coursework is designed to strengthen students’ understanding of early childhood mental health and family development through various methods of instruction from experienced instructors and national experts.

Students will gain practical experience by integrating coursework content with hands-on experiences, ranging from individual self-care to service delivery, so they are better prepared to support and empower other caregivers and work equitably in the communities they serve. Students will leave this program with the skills, knowledge, and motivation to effectively promote and support early childhood mental health and family resiliency with their peers as community health workers.

Upon successful completion of the certificate, you will be able to:

• Identify certificate program requirements and expectations for completion.
• Describe the roles of community health workers and peer support.
• Articulate a foundational knowledge of infant and early childhood mental health and development.
• Discuss developmental milestones from prenatal to age 8.
• Explore the broader cultural and community contexts within which early childhood development occurs.
• Identify strategies for self-care and coping with stress (e.g., breathing exercises, journaling, walking, mindful eating, mindful driving, etc.).
• Conduct motivational interviews and utilize other verbal/non-verbal communication skills.
• Identify ways to apply key concepts of racial equity and anti-racist practices in your role as a peer supporter.
• Identify different types of trauma.
• Identify and understand strategies to engage and assist families in care coordination.
• Apply knowledge and skills gained in the course to actual work situations relevant to early childhood mental health and development within relevant settings.

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