The AIMH Network

Different histories. Different structures. Different strengths.
Growing national relationships.

Across the United States, Associations for Infant Mental Health are strengthenin
g the people, relationships, organizations, and systems that surround babies, young children, and families.

And no two AIMHs look exactly alike.

Some have been part of their communities for decades. Others are just beginning. Some are independent nonprofit organizations. Others are housed within universities, institutions, or larger organizations. Their programs, partnerships, priorities, and approaches reflect the places and people they serve.

That diversity is part of the strength of the national AIMH network.

AIMHI-USA is a national home where AIMHs can find one another, learn from one another,
share what they know, and build together—
and where communities, professionals, and national partners can find and
connect with the AIMHs serving communities across the country.

What is an AIMH?

An Association for Infant Mental Health (AIMH) brings people together to strengthen infant and early childhood mental health in their communities.

AIMHs create connections among the people, organizations, professions, and systems that support babies, young children, and families. Depending on the community, that might include professional development, reflective practice and consultation, workforce development, policy and systems work, relationship building, convening, resources, credentials, or other supports.

What that looks like can—and should—vary.

An AIMH grows from the strengths, relationships, needs, opportunities, and history of the community it serves.

There Is More Than One Way to Be an AIMH

AIMHs have developed in different ways across the country.

An AIMH might be:

• an independent nonprofit organization;

• a program or initiative housed within another nonprofit;

• based within a university or other institution;

• supported through a fiscal sponsor or another organizational partnership; or

• developing a structure that fits the particular needs of its community.

Some AIMHs have staff teams. Others are largely volunteer-led. Some have significant public or philanthropic funding. Others operate with very small budgets.

Some offer the Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health®. Others have developed versions of credentials aligned with their community’s identified needs. And still others do not offer a credential for their communities.

Some focus heavily on workforce development. Others have deep expertise in policy, reflective practice, systems building, professional learning, consultation, community partnerships, or other areas of the work.

What AIMHs share is a commitment to strengthening infant and early childhood mental health and the people and relationships that make that work possible.

An AIMH isn't defined by a single program, structure, or model.

Different Strengths Make a Stronger Network

Every AIMH has something to bring.

One organization may have decades of experience building relationships with state agencies. Another may have developed an especially strong reflective practice community. Another may know how to build a program with very few resources. Another may have created a tool, partnership, training, or approach that could help AIMHs elsewhere.

We don't need every AIMH to become the same.

We need ways for AIMHs to find one another, share what they know, ask for what they need, and build on one another's strengths.

That's part of what AIMHI-USA is here to make possible.