Sparking collaboration and instilling core competencies through training a statewide workforce in Infant Mental Health: Report from the field

Abstract

Fostering collaboration and instilling core competencies across the diverse Infant Mental Health systems and understanding their training needs are crucial endeavors to support the delivery of evidence-based care and treatment continuity for infants and their families. This paper details the Connecticut Association for Infant Mental Health's use of a comprehensive infant mental health training series as a vehicle to achieve these aims. The training series, and the steps taken to execute and evaluate it are described to provide a framework for future collaborative training initiatives. Evaluation efforts were designed to address knowledge sought and gained and included pre and posttraining tests, participant reports of their training goals and needs, and interviews with trainers regarding the series' strengths and limitations. Findings suggest significant improvements in participants' knowledge of training content across trainings. Participants indicated a desire for trainings on working with the whole family and their plan to integrate skills from the training into their work. Recommendations from trainers and evaluators are provided to spark future trainings and collaborative efforts.

How do maternal and child health nurses incorporate infant mental health promotion into their clinical practice? Experiences of an Australian municipality

“…Restricted access to language may result from factors such as few learning opportunities, which in turn influence confidence and skill (Dealy et al., 2021). Alakortes et al.…”

“…The literature identifies that reflective supervision provides a means of underpinning skill and confidence, as it plays a central role in strengthening knowledge (Priddis et al, 2015;Weatherston & Osofsky, 2009). Additionally, Dealy et al (2021) identified a need for practitioner knowledge and specific use of language relating to infant mental health. Maternal and Child Health nurses also have access to education in a range of ways, from their qualifications, through to ongoing development opportunities (DH, 2021b).…”

“…Additionally, Dealy et al. (2021) identified a need for practitioner knowledge and specific use of language relating to infant mental health. Maternal and Child Health nurses also have access to education in a range of ways, from their qualifications, through to ongoing development opportunities (DH, 2021b).…”

Professional quality of life in home visitors: Core components of the reflective supervisory relationship and IMH‐E® Endorsement® engagement

“…This suggests that workplaces often do provide supervisory experiences consistent with RS best practices. A recent description of an IMHAs efforts to educate the workforce of supervisors and supervisees suggests their important role as collaborators in providing essential training and reflection about supervisory relationships that are aligned with best practice (Dealy et al., 2021).…”

“…Several empirical reports detail efforts to embed the endorsement process along with RS into early care and education, early intervention and home visiting programs (Dealy et al., 2021; Watson et al., 2016; Weatherston et al., 2010). However, we know little about the endorsement candidates perceptions of their professional quality of life and whether those engaged in the endorsement process consistently experience core components of a reflective supervisory relationship.…”