The South Mountain Community College associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in Behavioral Sciences with an emphasis in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health have been approved for endorsement by the Arizona Association for Infant Mental Health. The programs have been recognized as being consistent with the in-service requirements for the Infant Mental Health Endorsement®: Infant-Family Associate category.
All SMCC students who began the associate’s or bachelor’s degree program in Behavioral Sciences with an emphasis in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health during or after the Spring 2025 semester, and who have completed their degree, are immediately eligible to apply for IMH Endorsement®.
“Infant and toddler mental health is foundational to lifelong well-being, yet it's often overlooked leaving an enormous gap in care. By supporting students to become endorsed, we not only elevate professional standards — we give a voice to the youngest members of our community,” said Brielle Rawlings-Dubé, SMCC Behavioral Sciences Faculty and Bachelor's Program Coordinator.
Students can take an additional step in the infant and toddler mental health field by becoming endorsed professionals through this application process and receive a distinction that only about 50 providers in the state currently hold. This endorsement allows students to further certify their skills and level of expertise they acquired through their coursework at SMCC and better equip them in supporting the ones they will serve as caregivers.
“For students, this is a powerful opportunity to gain specialized skills, a highly valued credential, and become part of a profession that changes lives from the very beginning,” said Rawlings-Dubé.