The Endorsement® is a quality assurance model verifying that individuals serving young children and families are using principles, best practice skills, and reflective work experiences that lead to increased confidence, competence and credibility in strengthening the social and emotional health of very young children and their families.

In adopting the IECMH Competencies and Endorsement®, SCIMHA became a part of the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health®, formed with the goal of ensuring consistency in professional standards across state lines, promoting the relational health of infants, young children, and their families, supporting professionals who serve infants, young children, and families through workforce development and shared resources for infant and early childhood mental health associations.

The Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health consists of over half the states in the country and continues to grow (see map).