Infant Family Specialist (IFS)

Infant Family Specialist (IFS) – for individuals whose primary focus is prevention. This includes home visitors, family support specialists, First Steps providers, Parent Educators, Inclusion Specialists, NICU nurses, and many others. 

Requirements for IFS Endorsement

Education
  • Masters or Bachelors degree
Work Experience
  • Minimum 2 years of prevention and/or early intervention service to 0-36 mon. old & their families; served a minimum of 10 families

Ready for your IFS Endorsement?

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In-service Training
  • Minimum 30 hours, average 50 hours
Membership in INfancy Onward
  • Yes
Code of Ethics
  • Signed
Endorsement Agreement
  • Signed
Reflective Supervision or Consultation (RSC)
  • Minimum 24 clock hours within a 12-month to 24-month time period while working with infants, toddlers, & families and/or while providing supervision to staff who are providing services to infants, young children (birth to 36 months) and their families
Reference Ratings
  • Three
    1. Current program supervisor, teacher, trainer or consultant
    2. Person providing RSC
    3. Another supervisor, teacher, trainer or consultant; or a colleague
Written Exam
  • No
Application
  • Applicant will submit an application that demonstrates that they have met both the requirements and the competencies specified for the Endorsement for which they are applying. Details about competencies can be found within the Competency Guidelines (MI-AIMH Copyright © 2017).

This is just a summary; for the full description of the requirements by Endorsement category, please consult the Competency Guidelines.

I/ECMH Endorsement®