Foundations in Early Well-Being: A Certificate in Infant and Early Mental Health

Designed for experienced professionals working with infants, young children, and families, this 8-month, online certificate combines self-paced learning with live discussions to strengthen your expertise in infant and early mental health.

Developed in Canada and grounded in leading research and the IEMHP Competency Framework, this program prepares you to apply IEMH science in practice, lead systems-level change, and contribute to a stronger, more connected IEMH-informed workforce nationwide.

Professionals in the program come from sectors such as early learning and care, education, primary health, child welfare, rehabilitation, mental health, and community services. This cross-sector environment brings together diverse perspectives that reflect the real-world systems in which infant and early mental health is advanced, and connects you to a growing community of professionals working toward shared impact.

Advance your practice. Lead with impact.

Designed for experienced professionals, this certificate deepens your expertise in infant and early mental health while strengthening your ability to improve practice, influence service delivery, and drive systems change for young children and their families.

By the end of the certificate, you will be able to:

• Integrate infant and early mental health (IEMH) science into reflective, relationship-based practice with young children and families.
• Analyze and respond to risk and protective factors, including social determinants of health and adverse childhood experiences, to inform prevention and early intervention, and promote mental health outcomes across the lifespan.
• Apply evidence-informed approaches to identify and select tools and resources that support infant and early mental health and developmental needs within your local practice context, in consideration of the unique needs of the children and families you work with.
• Engage and support caregivers through equity-centered, identity-affirming, and trauma-informed approaches, and support them in navigating systems of care and connecting to IEMH-informed services.
• Lead practice, policy, and program development by embedding IEMH principles within your organization.
• Amplify your role as an IEMH advocate and systems influencer to improve lifelong outcomes for young children and families.

Graduates go on to strengthen their roles in direct practice, leadership, and systems-level initiatives.

Learn From Leaders in the Field

Our faculty are recognized experts in infant and early mental health, bringing together clinical, research, and systems-level expertise.

You’ll gain:

• Direct access to leaders shaping IEMH practice and policy in Canada
• Insight into applied, real-world implementation
• Engaging discussions with expert faculty

Chaya Kulkarni

Dr. Chaya Kulkarni is a nationally recognized leader in infant and early mental health IEMH and Director of Infant and Early Mental Health Promotion at The Hospital for Sick Children, where she leads a pan-Canadian effort to mobilize and embed evidence-informed practices into the work of practitioners supporting families from pregnancy through age six. With over 40 years of experience across frontline practice, research, knowledge mobilization, and public policy, she has held senior leadership roles at Invest in Kids and within the Ontario government, and has contributed nationally and internationally through leadership, advisory, and governance roles,, including service on the Board of Directors of the World Association for Infant Mental Health, and as an advisor to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Dr. Robert Meeder

Dr. Meeder is a pediatrician with extensive experience in both general pediatrics and child and youth mental health. He is currently Physician Lead for Family Child and Youth Mental Health System Integration at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care and collaborates closely with local mental health agencies and Family Health Teams. He completed a Fellowship in Early Relational Health at UMass, is a member of the Canadian Pediatric Society Early Years Committee and co-founder of the Canadian Early Relational Health Network.

Mary Rella

Mary is a Registered Psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience developing, leading, and supporting services for vulnerable infants, children, youth, and families. She has been involved with Infant and Early Mental Health Promotion at SickKids for more than 10 years and maintains a private practice. Mary also provides training and consulting across Ontario with specialized expertise in trauma and attachment.

Dr. Nicole Racine

Dr. Racine is a registered psychologist, associate professor, and director of the Early Lab at the University of Ottawa, and holds a Research Chair in Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO. Her research focuses on the impacts of early childhood adversity and on developing prevention and intervention approaches that promote resilience among children exposed to trauma. She has received early career awards from both the Canadian Psychological Association (2021) and the World Association of Infant Mental Health (2023) for her contributions to mental health research.

Kafui Sawyer

Kafui Sawyer is the Executive Director at Joy Health and Research Centre, a Registered Psychotherapist, PhD Candidate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Ottawa, and a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholar. She works as a Pediatric Psychology Resident at the Montfort Hospital, and is a researcher and equity consultant whose work focuses on advancing culturally grounded, trauma-informed, anti-racist mental health systems. Kafui is also the Founder of the Black Psychology Section of the Canadian Psychological Association and Co-Founder of the Black, Indigenous, and Racialized People Psychology Web. Her work centres on racial trauma, systemic inequities in health care, and pathways toward healing and resilience.

Dr. Karys Edgington

Dr. Karys Edgington holds a PhD in Neuroscience from Queen’s University and specializes in early childhood development and the implementation of developmental screening tools in diverse Canadian contexts. As a Data and Evaluation Specialist with Infant and Early Mental Health Promotion at The Hospital for Sick Children, she leads evaluation of the Infant and Early Mental Health Care Pathways initiative and oversees the development of a national database tracking developmental trajectories from infancy to age six. She is passionate about partnering with community organizations to support local capacity and inform policy and program change.

Lesley Watts

Lesley brings over 35 years of experience in infant and early mental health across frontline and leadership roles, including senior positions at SickKids, community mental health, and work in hospital, child protection, and childcare sectors. She is a passionate leader in advancing the field within community contexts across Canada. Her practice is strengths-based and grounded in equity, inclusion, and reconciliation, with a strong focus on supporting parents and caregivers as central to children’s lifelong health and well-being.

Practice-focused learning designed for working professionals.

7 Modules:

 Each module includes: 

• Self-paced, pre-recorded lessons led by expert faculty
• Applied quizzes to reinforce key concepts and support knowledge integration
• Reflective journal submissions to deepen learning and connect content to practice
• Live, faculty-facilitated discussions to engage in dialogue, reflection, and shared learning

Time Commitment:

• 3–5 hours per week
• September 2026 – April 2027
• Structured to integrate with your current professional role. Please see the Course Schedule for key dates and deadlines.

Program Fee: $2,450 CAD
Full payment is required upon acceptance to secure your place in the program.

As participation includes scheduled live discussions which may occur during working hours, employer support is required to ensure full participation in the program. Applicants will be asked to submit a Letter of Commitment confirming this support.

This certificate is designed for experienced professionals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience working with infants, young children, and their families.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for the program, applicants must have:

• A diploma or degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field (e.g., health, social sciences, early childhood education, education)
• 2–5 years of experience working with young children and families
• Proficiency in written and oral English

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online.

Step 1: Complete the Application Form
You will be asked to respond to the following questions:

1. What interests you about participating in this program, and how does it align with your current role, experiences, and professional goals?
2. Based on your current role and experience, how do you anticipate applying the knowledge and skills gained from this program in your day-to-day work with young children and families, including in ways that support equitable and inclusive practice?
3. How do you expect to contribute to advancing Infant and Early Mental Health (IEMH) principles and strengthening the workforce supporting young children and families?

Step 2: Upload Required Documents

• Resume
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals who have supervised or work closely with you within the past 3-5 years, and who can speak to you:
  • Professional practice
  • Experience supporting young children and families
  • Potential to contribute to the field
• Completed and signed Letter of Commitment

A Letter of Commitment ensures you have the necessary time, support, and organizational alignment to fully participate in the program, including attending live discussions scheduled from 1–3 pm EST, which may overlap with work hours.

Step 3: Submit your Application

Submit your completed application by June 30, 2026. Spaces are limited. Early application is encouraged.

Key Dates:

• Application Deadline: June 30, 2026
• Program Duration: September 2026 - April 2027

Contact us at iemhp.learning@sickkids.ca.