Introduction to Reflective Supervision for Supervisors

Overview

This training follows the Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RSC) Learning Collaborative model which provides a deep-dive into learning how to provide RSC. The training is intended to meet the needs of supervisors/ consultants in early childhood programs who are, or will be, providing reflective supervision/consultation.

Participants will learn key principles of RSC and will develop skills and strategies that can enhance their reflective supervision capacities, help them support the professional growth and development of their supervisees, and assess their own strengths and areas for growth as a provider of RSC.

Up to 15 participants will join a 12 hour (4 workshops x 3 hours each) didactic Zoom training, then receive 18 hours of Endorsement®-eligible RSC in smaller groups (4-6 people) during monthly 1.5 hr sessions for 12 months.

Training content and consultation will include best practices in the field, much of which is referenced in the 2018 Region X Reflective Supervision Guide. This Guide was developed through a partnership among four Associations of Infant Mental Health (AK, ID, OR, WA) as part of a federal Region X MIECHV innovation grant.

Eligibility

This training is intended for those who support others within the early childhood and home-visiting fields. Most participants will be master-level trained (in a variety of disciplines) however there is no minimum education requirement to register. Participants do not have to have prior experience receiving RSC, or providing it. Anyone participating in the training should plan to be providing RSC to others within the first several months of the course.

The Value of Reflective Supervision/Consultation

Serving young children and families requires a workforce that receives ongoing support and opportunities for reflection about both the successes and the challenges encountered in daily work. Reflective supervision/consultation (RSC) is a form of ongoing, intentional, scheduled professional support that focuses on enhancing the reflective capacity of early childhood professionals in order to increase the effectiveness of service delivery for families and supporting staff wellness and retention.

Reflective supervision/consultation can:

• support staff to provide services in ways that support healthy parent-child relationships and optimal growth and development;
• encourage staff and family wellbeing; and
• address program and family goals

Training Components

This professional development opportunity for supervisors includes:

• A 12-hr didactic workshop (online, Zoom, 3 hours x 4 sessions) focused on key principles and practices of RSC.
• A year-long Zoom reflective consultation group, 1.5 hrs/month for 12 months, total 18 hours of RSC received. These sessions will be scheduled with attendees once the didactic sessions begin.
• All facilitators of RSC groups hold appropriate Endorsements® for these hours to count toward participants' own Endorsement® applications/renewals (see below for more information).

Instructor Bio

Kristi Armstrong, LMSW, IMH-E-Clinical Mentor, is WA-AIMH's Director of Endorsement and Reflective Practice and is the primary instructor/facilitator for this course. Kristi has many years of experience as a clinician, consultant, and trainer in the field of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) and was a contributing author for the Region X Reflective Supervision Guidelines for Home Visiting Programs.

Competencies & Endorsement

More information about the specific Competencies® covered in this training will be provided to attendees. The training sponsor, the Washington Association for Infant Mental Health, WA-AIMH, which is a member of the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health.

As such, WA-AIMH implements the same system of competencies and endorsement used by the Alaska Association for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health, AK-AIMH. Please visit AK-AIMH's websites to find information about The Competencies® and the Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant Mental Health®.