Online Certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Family Leadership

This module will provide an introduction to Infant and Early Childhood Family Mental Health
(IECFMH) Leadership Track Faculty, Coursework, Syllabus, and Student.

This module introduces the principles of public health and the critical responsibilities of Community Mental Health Workers
(CMHWs) as frontline peer support and health professionals. Students will learn how to identify challenges within their
communities by applying the four pillars of public health, while integrating both theoretical knowledge and culturally relevant
experiences. 

This module introduces Community Mental Health Workers to the importance of mental health during the earliest stages of human development. Students will explore social-emotional development, the impact of early relationships, and the foundational role of family, culture, and community in promoting emotional well-being. Emphasis will be placed on understanding early
relational health, how the quality of relationships co-created by infants, caregivers, and other members of their families and communities’ shapes developing minds, and practical approaches for supporting attuned, responsive relationships between them. Students will get access to TeacherWise, an empirically supported program that helps CMHWs manage five domains of their wellbeing.

This module focuses on the CHW core competency of communication and relationship-building as a foundation foreffective community health practice. Students will develop the skills necessary to engage with families, caregivers, and service providers in ways that build trust, foster collaboration, and promote positive health outcomes.
Students will engage in interactive exercises to:
• Build networks and partnerships with families, community members, and providers.
• Strengthen teamwork skills for collaborative care.
• Provide health coaching and peer support to promote self-management of chronic conditions.
• Develop confidence in using clear, concise, and culturally responsive language in professional settings.
This comprehensive training will equip Community Mental Health Workers (CMHWs) with the relationship-building expertise needed to effectively support families, improve communication with health and social service providers, and reduce barriers to care.

This module explores holistic wellness encompassing mindfulness, healthy eating, and overall wellness through an individual and a community-centered lens. Students will examine how mindfulness practices, nutrition, physical activity, and social connections work together to support comprehensive wellbeing. Holistic wellness, an interactive process of becoming aware
of and practicing healthy choices to create a more successful and balanced lifestyle, will be discussed so that CMHWs can develop an ongoing wellness practice while working with families with young children who may have health and development concerns. 

This module equips students with the essential professional skills and ethical foundations needed to serve effectively as
CMHWs. Emphasizing core competencies of culturally responsive communication, the module develops the ability to work
alongside families and professionals as trusted peer supporters. Students explore ethical principles including confidentiality,
professional boundaries, and the unique considerations of peer relationships within their own communities. Through a
strength-based lens, students learn to navigate dual relationships, maintain professional standards while honoring cultural
values.

This module equips CMHWs with the knowledge and practical skills to use the Ages and Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2) to support early childhood development and family engagement in community settings. Rooted in CMHW core competencies, the module emphasizes cultural responsiveness, motivational interviewing, effective communication, and relationship-based care, preparing CMHWs to screen, support, and refer children and families using evidence-based tools.
This section focuses on the critical importance of early parent–child relationships as a foundation for lifelong health and development. It’s especially relevant to CMHWs, who are often on the front lines of supporting families during pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood. Participants will receive an overview of the foundation of secure attachment and socioemotional well-being for children and caregivers/families. We will consider the everyday contexts of adult-child interactions and the broader cultural and community contexts within which parents and children live and thrive.

This module will introduce the key concepts of care management, service coordination and system navigation. Students will use strength-based assessment and socio- cultural engagement strategies to coordinate care with clients and providers.
Students will learn how to make referrals, develop care management action plans, and provide follow-up services. This module will also define and provide an understanding of the CMHWs’ roles to conduct outreach with individual families, sharing information/resources and facilitating communication involving community members and service providers. The concept of self-determination will be explored as an essential human right for people with a variety of disabilities.

This module examines the vital role culture plays in shaping health outcomes, including the influence of behaviors, language, customs, beliefs, and perspectives. Students will learn how Community Mental Health Workers (CMHWs) can deliver services that are responsive to the social, cultural, and linguistic needs of children, families, and communities. By the end of this module, students will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to serve families in ways that honor cultural diversity, promote equity, and enhance resilience in community health.

This module introduces CMHWs to Facilitating Attuned Interactions (FAN), a trauma-informed communication tool designed to strengthen relationships between professionals and families. Through the FAN approach, students will learn how to recognize and respond to emotional cues, support reflective capacity, and foster trust and connection with parents and caregivers. Emphasis will be placed on cultivating the attuned, responsive presence that is essential to healing-centered work. This session will also increase students’ understanding of trauma in youth with IDD and familiarize them with local resources to reduce stigma and service gaps that can promote recovery and resilience.

As community organizers and capacity builders, community health workers (CHWs) can promote community action and garner support and resources from community organizations to implement new activities. CHWs may also use techniques to motivate individuals and communities to seek specific policy and social changes. In this model, a CHW may be employed by a community organization, healthcare provider, or others.

This module will explore how a family’s quality of life may be impacted by a child’s disability, including communication, emotional intimacy, socialization and family dynamics. Discussion will also include how to support parents who may have a disability. This section highlights family engagement as a key component of effective community health work. Strategies include home visits, care management, and community outreach that involve families in health education, planning, and support.

Students will develop the necessary skills and techniques to effectively manage progress and guarantee the achievement of goals. They will also familiarize themselves with the concept of SMART goals and learn how to systematically document their
work. Students will acquire knowledge regarding the components of effective documentation and the process of documenting information in a case file.

Students will plan and facilitate community mental health classes, lead group discussions and decision-making with peer-learners. Students will embed cultural context and develop information relevant to diverse families and community members. Students as educators and facilitators improve their ability to break complex topics into manageable information, research and collect pertinent health information from and for community members, clients and peer-CMHWs.

This culminating module provides students with dedicated time and support to complete all outstanding coursework while synthesizing their learning journey. Students will integrate knowledge and skills from across all previous modules, demonstrate competency through final assignments, and celebrate their achievements in a formal recognition ceremony.