Mary Ellen Institute (MEI)

We support the professionals who care for babies, young children, and families build stronger relationships, deeper skills, and healthier systems.

The Mary Ellen Institute helps professionals better support babies, young children, and families through specialized training, reflective supervision, and consultation. We provide relationship-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive learning opportunities that strengthen professionals, organizations, and systems serving 0 to 6 year olds. 

Who we serve

Is this for you?

MEI serves professionals across disciplines who work with, and/or on behalf of, young children (0 to 6 year olds) and their families.  Some common professions MEI supports are:
Mental Health Clinicians  Home Visitors  Early Interventionists  
Educators  Early Childcare Providers  Physical Medicine Providers  
IECMH Consultants  Supervisors  Upper Management Leaders 
Parent Leaders   IECMH Policy Makers 

Our services

What we offer

Four core service areas — each designed to strengthen professionals, organizations, and systems.

IECMH Training

Foundational & advanced professional development

Reflective Supervision & Consultation

Individual & group support

Reflective Supervision Learning Collaborative

Cohort-based program for learning reflective supervision practice

Custom Training & Consultation

Tailored to your team or agency

New to these terms?

Not sure where to start?

IECMH is the foundation of healthy emotional development for babies and young children. It focuses on how relationships, early experiences, caregiving, and development shape a child’s emotional well-being, behavior, and future health. 
 
Through IECMH training, professionals learn how to better support young children and families through a relationship-based, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate lens. 
RSC is a relationship-based form of professional support that creates space for professionals to slow down, think deeply, and reflect on their work with young children and families. Rather than focusing only on tasks or outcomes, RSC helps professionals strengthen self-awareness, improve relationships, manage stress, and provide higher quality care. 

Programs & fees

Upcoming Training Opportunities 

Recurring offerings with set structures — open to individuals and groups.

Local participants: Thanks to generous foundation support, most MEI offerings are currently available at no cost to Monroe County and Finger Lakes region participants. Contact us to learn about eligibility.

Upcoming Training Opportunities 

Recurring offerings with set structures — open to individuals and groups.
Program Format Upcoming dates Standard value Action
Infant Mental Health: Theory to Practice© 
11 sessions · 16.5 hrs live · CEUs available 
Virtual and/or in-person  Winter, Summer, Fall 
(confirm dates with MEI) 
$1,200 / individual 
$6,000 / group up to 10 
Express Interest →
IMH: Theory to Practice — Early Care & Learning 
7 sessions · 90 min each · CEUs available 
Tailored for early care & learning settings 
Virtual and/or in-person  Scheduled with organization  $770 / individual 
$4,000 / group up to 10 
Express Interest →
DC:0-5™ Diagnostic Classification 
3 sessions · 4 hrs each · CEUs available 
Prerequisite: IMH Theory to Practice or equivalent 
NY state residents only 
Virtual and/or in-person  Confirm with MEI  $600 / individual 
$6,000 / group up to 10 
Express Interest →
Reflective Supervision Learning Collaborative 
Year-long cohort program 
Prerequisite: IMH Theory to Practice or equivalent 
Virtual and/or in-person  Confirm with MEI  $2,000 / individual 
$16,000 / group up to 10 
Express Interest →
Group Reflective Consultation 
Monthly · 90 min/session · 6-month commitment 
Led by NYS-AIMH Endorsed professionals 
Counts toward NYS-AIMH Endorsement* 
Virtual and/or in-person  Ongoing — contact MEI  $240 / individual (6 months) 
$2,000 / group up to 6 (6 months) 
Express Interest →
Individual Reflective Consultation 
50 min/session · weekly to monthly 
6-month minimum commitment 
Counts toward NYS-AIMH Endorsement* 
Virtual and/or in-person  Ongoing — contact MEI  $125 / session  Express Interest →

For content offerings, CEUs available for LMSW, LCSW, LMHC, and LCAT professionals — $45/person per training. New York State Association for Infant Mental Health (NYS-AIMH) ↗

Additional charges may apply for in-person services at locations that require facilitator travel.  

* NYS-AIMH Endorsement® — Learn more about the New York State Association for Infant Mental Health (NYS-AIMH) and their Endorsement system for infant mental health professionals. 

Customizable builds

Designed around your organization’s specific needs. Contact us to start a conversation.
Service Description Format Standard value Action
Customized IECMH Training 
for Teams & Organizations 
Tailored training on topics including: Intro to IECMH, Trauma, Grief & Loss, Attachment, Assessment, Diversity-Informed Practice, Perinatal Mental Health, Self-Care & Reflection. Length and intensity are flexible.  Virtual or in-person 
(travel costs extra for out-of-area) 
Short (up to 90 min): $400–$800 
Half day (2–4 hrs): $800–$1,100 
Full day (5–7 hrs): $1,200–$2,200 
Up to 25 participants 
Inquire →
IECMH Consultation & 
Technical Assistance 
Individualized consultation supporting programs, organizations, or fields — e.g., aligning practices to IECMH, reviewing assessment tools, or supporting workforce development.  Virtual or in-person  $125 / hour per MEI professional  Inquire →
Conference Keynotes & 
Workshop Presentations 
Workshops, conference learning intensives, and keynote presentations for external events.  Virtual or in-person  $200–$400 for up to 90 minutes  Inquire →
Custom Content Development  Development of new training content tailored to a specific workforce or topic area not already in MEI’s library.  Virtual or in-person  $125 / hour per MEI professional  Inquire →

Questions about any training or service? Reach out to our MEI coordinator or complete the interest form below.

Our team

Meet the MEI staff

Our team of experienced trainers and consultants brings deep expertise in infant and early childhood mental health, reflective practice, and culturally responsive care. 

Alana Russotti, LCSW, IECMH-E®

IECMH Trainer and Consultant

April Allen, BA, IMH-E®

IECMH Trainer and Consultant

Beth Russell, LMSW, IMH-E®

IECMH Trainer & Consultant; Program Supervisor

Kenya Malcolm, PhD, IECMH-E®

IECMH Trainer and Consultant

Leah Elliott, LCSW, IMH-E®

IECMH Trainer and Consultant, MEI Coordinator

Rhonda Walker, MSW, IMH-E®

IECMH Trainer and Consultant

Have questions? We’d love to hear from you. 


Whether you’re exploring training options, interested in bringing MEI services to your organization, or want to learn more about reflective supervision, we’re here to help.