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KAIMH Connections
Resources for Early Childhood Mental Health Advocates
Updates | November 2024
Highlights in this newsletter include a recent presentation on Recognizing the Power of Early Relational Health in the Community-Based Doula Movement, KAIMH Conference 2025 information and call for presentations, NeuroNurture's Infant/Toddler Toxic Stress Intervention Program, invitation to join the KAIMH Endorsement Committee, openings in mental health cohort for early care and education providers, upcoming professional development that supports Infant Mental Health Endorsement® and more!
Congratulations New Endorsees!
Laura Gunderson, IMH-E®
Laura says, "I am honored to receive this endorsement. Earning recognition from KAIMH for culturally sensitive, relationship-focused practices means so much as it reflects not only my commitment to infant mental health but also the profound impact my work has on the lives of the children and families that I serve. This accomplishment is also a validation of the thoughtful and intentional efforts that I put into creating nurturing and inclusive environments where every child can thrive. It motivates me to continue to advocate for their emotional well-being."
Jennifer Pishny, IMH-E®
Jennifer says, "“When I completed my degree in Psychology many years ago, I had no idea that I would eventually find myself working in the early childhood field for most of my career. The Infant Mental Health Endorsement brought my professional journey full circle. Positive social-emotional outcomes in adults begin in the crucial first few years. I believe the experiences and environments that our youngest children encounter in those years can have a significant impact. I am happy to help their caregivers create the best possible settings for the little ones as they grow. The endorsement is a great way to show others how important mental health can be, especially in the first few years.”
Tiffany Bartley, IMH-E®
Tiffany says, "Having a KAIMH Endorsement for Cultural Sensitive, Relationship-focused Practice Promoting Infant Mental Health is an important step in my career in Infant Mental Health. I have dedicated a life time career to children and families and over the last three years I have focused on Infant Mental Health. Being endorsed through KAIMH was an imperative step in my commitment to this field. I look forward to continuing this focus of my career for the rest of my professional life. Having an endorsement is the foundation of that commitment. Thank you to KAIMH for the incredible opportunity and continued opportunities and support in this most important field of Infant Mental Health."
KAIMH Endorsement Committee
IMH-E® is Wellbeing for All!
Did you know that the Infant Mental Health Endorsement® provides credibility for professionals engaged in the critical work of supporting infant & young children’s social-emotional and relational health & well-being? It is one of the first and most comprehensive efforts in the world to identify best practice competencies across disciplines and to offer a pathway for professional development. In addition to a professional’s background, IMH-Endorsement® recognizes achievement of knowledge and training in the area of infant and early childhood mental health.
Did you know that once you have earned your IMH-Endorsement® you are eligible to participate in KAIMH’s Endorsement Committee? We are working to expand the accessibility of IMH-Endorsement® across the state and welcome individuals and their unique perspectives to join us in supporting early childhood professionals across a variety of workforces in their wellbeing and professional development. Click here to let us know of your interest.
Annual Conference
We are excited to announce the date, location and keynote speaker for our Annual Conference! Please save May 1-2, 2025 on your calendar and join us in Salina, KS with keynote speaker, Tabatha Rosproy, who will share insightful information on resiliency for early childhood professionals and bringing joy into our daily work. This will also mark KAIMH's 30th year as an organization, so plan to join us for a special birthday celebration and evening mixer!
Call for Breakout Presentations
KAIMH’s Education Committee is requesting proposals for breakout session presentations at our 2025 Annual Conference May 1-2 in Salina, KS. Sessions will be 1.5 hours in length and offered on Friday, May 2, 2025. KAIMH is seeking presentations that support Infant Mental Health Endorsement competencies and address professional development for the broad range of professionals (early care and education, home visiting, therapy, behavioral and emotional health, parenting education, early intervention, academia, policy, etc.) who work with or for infants & toddlers and their caregivers and families who are pregnant. To indicate your interest, please complete this form. Submission deadline is Friday, December 6, 2024.
NeuroNurture
NeuroNurture is an Infant/Toddler Toxic Stress Intervention Program and advocacy campaign led by the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund in Kansas. Research on brain development connects adversity to toxic levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Unlike children with normal cortisol patterns that peak early in the day and decrease steadily until bedtime, children in families facing adversity can have cortisol levels that are continuously elevated.
Evidence shows that caring and responsive relationships with adults early in life can prevent the developmental delays and chronic health concerns caused by continuously elevated cortisol levels. ABC is an intervention proven to regulate infant/toddler cortisol levels—and help them thrive for a lifetime. Developed by researchers at University of Delaware, the Attachment and Bio-behavioral Catch-up program, or ABC, teaches caregivers of children between 6 and 24 months old play-based strategies that build attachment--which in turn help regulate their baby’s cortisol levels.
To learn more about NeuroNurture and the 35 Kansas counties implementing this program, visit www.neuronurtureks.org
New Mental Health Cohorts for Early Care and Education
Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities is opening two mental health cohort groups (one for center directors, one for family child care providers) starting in December to explore topics like recognizing stress and burnout, mastering effective stress reduction techniques, and implementing self-care strategies. Scholarships are also available to cover IMH-E® application and processing fees. To learn more, click on the links below.
Early Relational Health is the state of emotional well-being that grows from emotional connection between babies and toddlers and their parents and caregivers when they experience strong, positive, and nurturing relationships with each other. It is foundational to children’s healthy growth and development and their parents’ and caregivers’ sense of competence, connection, and overall well-being. Nurture Connection advances Early Relational Health in their work and co-hosted the webinar below on
Recognizing the Power of Early Relational Health in the Community-Based Doula Movement, with an overview of a two-year project focused on enhancing the HealthConnect One Doula curriculum.
November-December Professional Development
Check out these upcoming professional development opportunities that support your Infant Mental Health Endorsement® from the Early Childhood Investigations Webinars, Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities, Kansas LEND, Kansas Children's Service League, and Child Care Aware network.
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