Building a Robust Workforce
for Early Childhood Mental Health
in New Mexico

Established by Las Cumbres in 2006, the Early Childhood Mental Health Training Institute (ECMHTI) is one of only a handful of such training institutes in the nation.

ECMHTI offers a certificate program for post-graduates and community health workers with a focus on developing a high standard of care for providers and building a robust statewide workforce to address the many risk factors threatening the wellbeing of young children in New Mexico.  The faculty is comprised of both locally and nationally known experts in the field of infant and early childhood mental health.  The curriculum emphasizes practices that are relationship-based, culturally sensitive, and accessible in rural areas of the state and is based on a range of competencies identified by local and national experts and the New Mexico Association for Infant Mental Health (NMAIMH).

The two-year course of study includes reading assignments on the most current body of literature on effective practices in infant mental health; bi-monthly seminars; parent-child observations; and group discussion. Trainees also receive ongoing one-on-one mentorship and reflective supervision from experienced early childhood practitioners.

Trainees are selected from a pool of highly motivated professionals and community health workers across New Mexico who seek to expand their skills for working with young children, and other professionals who want to use early childhood mental health principles in their work with families.

Mary Hendrix, Administrative Director of the Institute, brings experience in family counseling, management, and public education to the Institute. As manager of programs serving youth programs in Denver, Colorado, she designed competency-based curriculum, implemented programs and evaluated outcomes in 24 urban schools. As a participant of the Denver Youth Development Initiative, she managed partnerships with school administrators, institutions of higher education and business leaders. She is a former high school teacher and small business owner.

Regina Dickens, Instructional Planner and Consultant, brings 31 years of social work experience. She is President of Teams Inc., directed the New Mexico Infant Mental Health Infrastructure Development Project, and served on the Board of Directors of the New Mexico Association for Infant Mental Health from its grassroots beginning.


Any questions may be directed to Mary Hendrix at:
Las Cumbres Community Services
Early Childhood Mental Health Training Institute
805 Early St., Suite B-102
Santa Fe, NM 87505
phone: 505.955.0410 ext 106
email: mary.hendrix@lascumbres-nm.org


Other links:

The Training Institute is designed to help achieve the Strategic Plan for Infant Mental Health in New Mexico (2003).

Meet the Graduating Class of 2006-2008!

Upcoming Community Events


To Be Announced