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Our understanding of how children develop in the early years has increased dramatically in the last few decades of brain research and study. We now know that the infant, toddler, and preschool years set the stage for later development and that timely support and informed intervention can make an enormous contribution to the well being of our children. The Post-Graduate Center is pleased to offer a continuing education program focused on the social, emotional, and behavioral assessment and treatment of young children (birth through five) and their families.
Program Overview
The Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate Program is a 12 to 24-month continuing education experience for the variety of professionals already in the early childhood-family field and for those with advanced mental health degrees desiring to expand their services to families with young children. Group learning, mentorship, and networking experiences provide theoretical and applied content, immersion in a community of providers, and guidance in applying new learning to current practice. Certificate program faculty are experts in early childhood mental health and are currently administrators or providers of clinical services to young children. A certificate of completion is awarded to those who participate in all program components. Psychology, nursing, counseling and social work CEUs are provided.
Prerequisites for the Certificate Program
- Mental health professionals with at least a master’s degree and a current license in good standing. Current or intended future practice includes assessment & treatment services to families with infant, toddler, and preschool-aged children.
- Mental health support staff with associates or bachelor degrees currently working in home or center-based programs to support parenting and the behavioral development of young children.
- Early intervention and early childhood education professionals (including teachers, speech-language pathologists, and occupational & physical therapists) with at least a bachelor’s degree desiring to increase their capacity to work with families to support the social-emotional wellness of young children.
- Pediatric professionals, including nursing home visitors, who desire to increase their capacity to work with families to support the social-emotional wellness of young children.
Program Format and Benefits
- Completion in 12-24 months
- Begins in September of each year
- Completion of 5 Core Knowledge Workshops* (30 CE credits total)
- Participation in Group Learning, Mentorship, Networking and Program Gathering components of program (details below)
- Faculty are experts in early childhood mental health currently practicing in the field
- Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate of Completion
Group Learning:
- Seminars: Five full-day continuing education workshops (6 CE credits per workshop) will provide an introduction to the field of early childhood mental health and content in both the theory and practice of the field.
- Reading Group: A reading/discussion group held over the course of the program will focus on the book, Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development. This important text provides a comprehensive review of the theory and research that informs our practice. For an additional minimal fee, continuing education credits can be awarded for this component.
- Case Discussion Group: Program participants will use the book, Case Studies in Infant Mental Health, for reflection and discussion of professional practice. For an additional minimal fee, continuing education credits can be awarded for this component.
Mentorship: Each certificate program participant is matched with a mentor actively practicing, teaching, leading, or doing research in the field. The mentor will support the participant’s application of new knowledge and skills to their current work.
Networking: Program enrollees will be introduced to the variety of professionals working in the early childhood-family field in the greater Philadelphia area through attendance at the Infant Mental Health Breakfast Network Meeting convened by DVG/WAIMH. Meetings include speakers, case presentations, and topical discussion groups.
Program Gatherings: Certificate program participants will come together, along with workshop presenters and mentors, at three meetings held at the beginning, midpoint, and end of the program. Along with networking, program participants will develop professional development goals and share and track their progress over the duration of the program.
Objectives
Participation in the Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate Program will enable participants to:
- Gain an introduction to the field of early childhood mental health and infant-family practice.
- Build one’s knowledge of the practice-relevant content and theory of the field.
- Gain an introduction to early childhood screening & assessment best practices.
- Build one's knowledge of early childhood treatments and services, including parent-child dyadic intervention.
- Engage in group reflective practice experiences.
- Obtain guidance in applying new learnings to current or future practice.
- Immerse themselves in a community of early childhood mental health providers.
*Early Childhood Mental Health workshops may be credited towards other certificate programs as electives,
provided they are designated as applying to each certificate
program.
(See brochure description for each workshop).
Enrollment
To enroll, please first review this information about the program schedule and fees. Then complete the certificate program registration form. Upon receipt of your registration the certificate program coordinator, Chiara Nuzzo, PhD., will contact you by telephone to complete the enrollment process. The deadline for enrollment is July 1st.
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