Building a Statewide System of Professional Endorsement®
Professionals who care for young children play an important role in promoting social-emotional development, positive mental health, and relational health, as well as identifying problems early and connecting young children to intervention and treatment services when necessary. Unfortunately, most pre-professional education and training programs lack specific courses or modules related to infant and toddler mental health, and many professionals lack the critical skills needed to work with very young children.
Many states, including Connecticut, are taking steps to ensure that professionals working with infants, toddlers, and their families are well-trained to promote optimal mental health, promote preventive strategies, and facilitate linkage to early intervention or treatment.
In this issue brief, you'll learn why training professionals in infant and early childhood mental health is essential for supporting young children's healthy development. You'll also learn how Connecticut built a statewide Professional Endorsement system to build a more skilled workforce in this area. Finally, the brief outlines recommendations for expanding and sustaining endorsement efforts across the state.