IECMH Foundations Certificate Training

September 22 - November 11, 2025

Hybrid online training for early childhood professionals who want to discover how to support the social, emotional, and mental health needs of children 0-5.

This foundational training establishes a baseline knowledge of infant and early childhood mental health for anyone working with children 0-5 in a professional setting.

6 weeks of self-paced coursework

4 one-hour Virtual Sessions

 

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"This was an excellent training and I look forward to expanding my experience in these areas!" -Foundations Participant

It’s hard to really hear what children and families are trying to tell us through their behaviors.

Sure, you have experience and training in child development, but have you delved into the complex issues surrounding infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) and its long lasting impact on children?

 

We've noticed that many early childhood professionals are seeking to learn more, especially post-Covid. 

 

Since you’ve been doing this work for a while, you might be feeling like there has to be more you can offer children and families. Their trauma, history, and concerns are often so much to process. 

 

Maybe you’ve felt:

  • Ill-equipped to deal with the issues you’re seeing in young children
  • Discouraged when solutions don’t seem to fit the needs of the families and children you serve
  • Isolated and alone in this work
  • A desire to offer more to families and caregivers

You're not alone.

 

Many of the early childhood professionals we work with felt exactly the same way. 

They thought they were adequately prepared for whatever their career could throw at them. 

After some real world experience, it was clear there was more to learn.

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Here’s what one recent  participant had to say:

"I was initially skeptical because I thought I already knew a lot of the content from my Master's program; however, the Foundations trainers brought the content to life in a way that helped me gain so much insight into viewing things from a more culturally diverse perspective. I am very grateful for all of the personal and insightful stories that were shared."

In fact, one of the common issues we are hearing is that professionals working with children are seeing more challenging behaviors and are feeling overwhelmed and under supported.

Maybe you’ve been feeling this way as well.
 
You aren't sure where to turn for help.
 

Until now.

Introducing:

Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health

Foundations Certificate Training

The infant and early childhood mental health support all early childhood professionals need.

I can't wait to start

Did you know that babies (0-3) create 1 MILLION neural connections per second? 

Their brains are wired so differently than ours. 

Healthy relationships matter. 

As early childhood professionals, knowing the intricacies of babies' brain development and how to set them up for social and emotional well being should be the cornerstone of your career. 

After completing the Foundations Certificate Training, professionals will have a deeper understanding of the social and emotional development of babies, and begin to understand the families they serve through an infant mental health lens.

As the only infant mental health organization in the state, we provide a comprehensive training with infant mental health specialists that will broaden your approach to babies by helping you:


Articulate core concepts around infant and early childhood mental health

 


Identify ways to apply these concepts into your professional role

Integrate a contextual, individualized lens when providing care to babies, young children and families

With Foundations, YOU can help babies THRIVE.

Foundations Certificate Training: Online Course

This model supports the busy career days of professionals working with children and families.

We designed this training as a self-paced course with a live group reflection and Q&A after completing every 2 modules. 

This allows you to work through the material at your own pace and still have the benefit of meeting with the trainers and other participants.
In this new online course format, our Infant Mental Health Training Specialists present the content in short videos that are engaging and encourage reflection.
Kick-Off Group Session
Join peers and facilitators for an introduction to the course.
MODULE 1
Introduction to Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health & Reflective Practice
MODULE 2
Attachment and the Brain in Infant and Early Childhood
MODULE 1 & 2 Reflection Meeting
Join peers and facilitators to discuss and reflect on modules.
MODULE 3
Pregnancy, Birth and the Post-Partum Period
MODULE 4
Infant & Early Childhood Development
MODULE 3 & 4 Reflection Meeting
Join peers and facilitators to discuss and reflect on modules.
MODULE 5
Separation, Trauma, Grief, Loss & Resilience
MODULE 6
Family-Centered Practices and Parenting
MODULE 5 & 6 Reflection and Wrap-up Meeting
Join peers and facilitators to discuss and reflect on modules.

Foundations participants share their takeaways: 

 

“I'm re-thinking how to respond to various client needs."

"I see myself applying a good bit of this information, especially the videos to help families understand what their children are experiencing during difficult moments."

“[Foundations] helped me gain so much insight into viewing things from a more culturally diverse perspective. I am very grateful for all of the personal and insightful stories that were shared."

I'm ready to learn!

Foundations Certificate Training includes:

Resources
Video Recordings
Self-reflection 
 Mindfulness
Endorsement Hours
Completion Certificate
Community 
Join our next cohort HERE!

The IECMH Foundations Certificate Training will provide you with the in-depth infant mental health knowledge you need to nurture the social, emotional, and mental health needs of babies and young children.

Foundations Registration

Foundations Certificate Training

  • 18-hour course
  • 6 self-paced modules
  • Each module includes 60-70 minutes of video content and several brief assignments
  • 4 live virtual meetings for discussion and reflection with IECMH trainers
  • Participants have 6 weeks to complete all modules   

Course Begins 

Tuesday, September 22 

Introductory Module opens 

Watch this introductory video  before our live kick-off meeting on 9/30.

Virtual Session #1

Tuesday, September 30

4-5pm

Kick-Off Meeting: Introduction to course and facilitators. Modules 1 & 2 open.

Virtual Session #2

Tuesday, October 14

4-5pm

Reflective space and Q&A for Modules 1-2. Modules 3-4 open.

Virtual Session #3

Tuesday, October 28th

4-5pm

Reflective space and Q&A for Modules 3-4. Modules 5-6 open.

Virtual Session #4

Tuesday, November 11

4-5pm

Reflective space and Q&A for Modules 5-6. Wrap up our time together.

Join Us For Only:

$420

  • Self-paced training modules designed for busy professionals
  • Gain deeper understanding of IECMH
  • Real life examples to bring material to life
  • Community of similar professionals in SC
  • Hours count towards endorsement application
  • Trained by certified IECMH training specialists
  • Pre-requisite for the Advanced Certificate Training
  • And MORE!

If you have any questions, or need financial assistance, reach out to [email protected]

Click box below to register.

Hybrid Online Foundations Certificate FALL 2025

$420.00 USD

What we do.

SCIMHA is a collaborative, multidisciplinary membership association for all infant-, early childhood- and family-serving professionals in South Carolina. As a hub for healthy social and emotional development resources, we help babies thrive.