Created in 2007 by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), The Pennsylvania Key implements the work and supports the policies developed and managed by OCDEL. Learn More. >
Created in 2007 by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), The Pennsylvania Key implements the work and supports the policies developed and managed by OCDEL. Learn More. >The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) received over 330 applications from early childhood educators to participate in the Foundations of Infant Mental Health course through the University of Pittsburgh in 2025. Applicants have been notified by email of their acceptance or non-acceptance of this opportunity.
OCDEL remains dedicated to increasing the availability of infant/early childhood mental health resources and professional development opportunities in a variety of forms, given the large amount of interest in this topic. We are committed to updating you on those options as they are developed.
Questions can be directed to info@pakeys.org.
The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is pleased to offer an opportunity for Pennsylvania licensed Child Care providers, Head Start/Early Head Start and PA Pre-K Counts programs to participate in the University of Pittsburgh’s Infant Mental Health professional development certificate at no cost through a pilot program offering scholarships to professionals serving children and families in prenatal, infant, toddler and preschool programs.
OCDEL recognizes the challenges faced by providers across the Commonwealth in supporting the mental health and well-being of children and families in their early years, the critical role of the Early Learning professionals in a family’s supportive community has only been amplified in recent years. Traditionally, this course has been provided to Infant /Toddler Early Intervention, OCDEL-funded Home Visitors, Infant Early Childhood Mental Health, and Rapid Response team members. The opportunity to extend this course to providers is a result of ongoing discussions and evaluation of requests for Professional Development from the field.
OCDEL believes that the early childhood system is most impactful when our collaborative work is relationship-based, culturally sensitive, grounded in an understanding of developmental theory, research, and supported by reflective practice. OCDEL values the impact that our early childhood education professionals have on mental health and wellness of the families and young children in their care. This opportunity seeks to continue building the capacity of Early Learning professionals to partner with others and better support families in the Commonwealth.
Interested professionals are invited to apply for sponsorship through The Pennsylvania Key, on behalf of the Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development, OCDEL.
Application for IMH scholarship closed on Nov. 15, 2024. Applications can be accessed via Microsoft Forms: 2025 Infant Mental Health (IMH) Certificate & Learning Circle – Scholarship Application (office.com)
Online courses will become available to participants on January 15, 2025, and close on December 31, 2025.
By completing this course, students will understand current research, theory, practice, and application of Infant Mental Health specific to supporting very young children and their families. Students who complete this certificate program will receive a minimum of 28 PQAS training hours from the University of Pittsburgh.
This training content is aligned with the Pennsylvania Association for Infant Mental Health Competency Guidelines for Endorsement in Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant Mental Health®. The training content meets the specialized training requirements for Family Associate and Family Specialist categories of Endorsement. Infant and/or Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement is a “PLUS” on the Pennsylvania Early Childhood Education Career Pathway.
Interested applicants must meet the following requirements:
In order to distribute the limited scholarships equitably throughout the Commonwealth and to support families and children in a culturally responsive and representative manner, consideration of the following will occur during the evaluation process for selection of candidates:
Interested applicants should review the Application Criteria before submitting a completed application via Microsoft Forms.
Questions specific to the application should be sent to info@pakeys.org.
Contact Lisa Gragg (lgragg@pattan.net) with questions specific to the scholarship.
This online course, Foundations of Infant Mental Health, will be available from January 15, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
Participants are strongly encouraged to attend the Introduction Learning Circle from 11:30am to 1:00pm. More information to follow.