Micro-Credential in Infant, Early Childhood Mental Health Established at Northwestern

September 20, 2024

(right) Carol Stocking MSW, LCSW, RPT, and Western Plains Youth and Family Services Infant and Early Childhood Program Director who also serves as a social work adjunct instructor at Northwestern visits with Cammi Rogge, Alva senior social work major.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University now offers social service professionals and other students two ways to increase their training in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health after establishing a micro-credential program, which joins a minor in this field that began in Fall 2023.

The Department of Social Work developed this micro-credential program with input from Oklahoma Human Services and Western Plains Youth and Family Services. This credential emphasizes the importance of supporting the developing parent-infant relationship and promoting secure attachments.

The micro-credential program consists of completing one, three-credit-hour course at Northwestern in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and six clock hours of approved infant and early childhood mental health training.

A limited number of scholarships, funded through the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) Workforce Micro-Credentials and Rapid Re-Employment Initiative grant program, are available to eligible students.

“Responsive and trusted relationships are fundamental to infant mental health, and having professionals trained in this field can support caregivers in helping babies learn how to experience, manage and express their emotions, establishing a foundation for lifelong health and well-being,” Dr. Kylene Rehder, social work department chair, said. “This program allows our social service professionals an opportunity to improve early intervention, enhance family support, provide holistic case management, and create targeted interventions that mitigate the impact of adverse experiences on a child's development.”

Coursework and training can be taken in person or via distance education, allowing flexibility to accommodate students’ needs.

“This program is part of a continuing effort by Northwestern to provide educational opportunities for those employed in, or pursuing careers in, critical needs occupations in Oklahoma,” Dr. James Bell, vice president for academic affairs, said. “We are grateful for OSRHE grant funds that have allowed us to help meet the need for certified educators, corrections officers, and now social service professionals.”

As for the established minor in infant and early childhood mental health, it consists of 20 credit hours in the fields of education, psychology and social work and also will be administered through the Department of Social Work. The minor is designed for students in a helping profession with an interest in integrating knowledge of infant and childhood mental health into their professional practice. The coursework guides professionals in understanding the complexities of infant and early childhood mental health for practical application in their major disciplines.

For more information regarding the micro-credential program, visit https://www.nwosu.edu/school-of-arts-and-sciences/social-work and click on the gray tab named “Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Micro-Credential.” Questions can also be directed to Bell at jlbell@nwosu.edu or Rehder at kdrehder@nwosu.edu.

More information about the minor and the courses required can be found online at www.nwosu.edu/undergraduate-catalog and by searching the publication for the title.

-NW-