Consulting and Technical Assistance 

ICRI, since 1981, has been a key provider of technical assistance and consultation for various entities, including businesses, governments, and foundations, specializing in establishing child care centers, developing resource and referral programs, and implementing diverse work-family policies. Leveraging a comprehensive database of model childcare programs from around the globe, ICRI brings world-class expertise to each project. Our services encompass the latest data and practices in program development, needs assessments, curricula, facility development, implementation, evaluation, training, cost efficiency, and tax benefits.

Technical Assistance Services by ICRI 

Since its establishment, ICRI has specialized in providing expert consultation in several key areas:

  1. Early Childhood Needs Assessment Studies: Identifying populations in need, utilization rates, and strategic service placement, backed by extensive survey administration and data analysis capabilities.

  2. Early Childhood Program Development: Offering comprehensive plans covering regulations, legal aspects, facilities, staffing, health and safety, insurance, and public education.  

  3. Early Childhood Administration and Oversight: Providing administrative support and oversight to various model child care and early childhood development programs.

  4. Resource Development: Assisting programs and legal bodies with strategy development for short and long-term support and effective fund allocation for children’s services.

  5. Program Evaluation and Modification Studies: Conduct thorough assessments to identify strengths and weaknesses in services and programs, suggesting necessary modifications.

  6. Design and Development of Innovative Early Childhood Facilities: Creating state-of-the-art early childhood environments, as exemplified in projects with the Central Bank of Malaysia, Dalian Software Park, and various corporations in the U.S. and over 15 countries.

  7. Oversight and Operation of Early Childhood Programs: Extending our design and development expertise to oversee and operate high-quality early childhood centers, ensuring service delivery at the highest standards.

ICRI’s extensive experience spans the U.S. and several countries, providing corporate support and education in work-related early childhood programs.

Consulting U.S. and International Projects

1.    University of California, Berkeley Collaboration with ICRI:

 ICRI was contracted by the University of California, Berkeley, to assess its seven Early Childhood Education programs comprehensively. This extensive review covered various aspects such as quality issues, administrative and leadership structures, policies and procedures, funding and financing, curriculum, and the roles and relationships within the program sections and between the programs and the University. Following this assessment, the University requested ICRI to implement the plan, aiming for significant improvements across all aspects of these programs. This included full oversight of administrative, fiscal, and programmatic structure enhancements, ensuring a holistic upgrade of Berkeley's early childhood education offerings.

2.   Nevis Initiative:

The International Child Resource Institute (ICRI) was chosen by UNICEF and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to collaborate with Nevis Island's Ministry of Health and Gender Affairs. The goal was to develop child-friendly health clinics that are engaging, enriching, and of exceptional quality.

Key milestones in this project included:

  • Conducting an Initial Review and Assessment;

  • Designing preliminary architectural layouts for the Brown Hill and Combermere Clinics;

  • Acquiring Educational Materials designed to enhance services for children and parents in Nevis;

  • Crafting specialized guides for healthcare professionals, early childhood education teachers, and social workers;

  • Facilitating comprehensive online training sessions for staff from UNICEF, Nevis Island Administration, healthcare, early childhood education, and social work sectors.

3.   Ohlone College Project:

ICRI and the Ohlone Community College District partnered through a signed contract, under which ICRI provided specialized services. These services included conducting a thorough analysis of the local child development market. This encompassed site evaluations of both on-campus and off-campus locations and a financial analysis of various options for establishing a Child Development Lab. Additionally, the services provided by ICRI were geared towards fulfilling the practicum hour requirements for students enrolled in the Early Childhood Development program at Ohlone College. These specific services were detailed in Exhibit A, Scope of Services, which formed an integral part of the contract.

4.   China Project:

The International Child Resource Institute (ICRI) and Hangzhou Muma Child Care & Education Institution (MUA) signed a contract for a mutual partnership. 

Subject Matter and Corporate Collaboration: The contract involved ICRI and MUA collaborating to plan, design, develop, and manage a series of state-of-the-art early childhood centers. These centers were to be of the highest quality, drawing upon ICRI’s international model curriculum, programs, and quality standards. As partners, ICRI and MUA jointly designed and developed these top-tier early childhood programs, with ICRI overseeing operations.

ICRI also undertook comprehensive training for all MUA staff, from leadership to teaching personnel and other employees at each center. This training included modern accounting practices tailored for early childhood programs, invoicing methods for parents and other program funders, and the development of a culturally sensitive dispute resolution process between staff and company leadership.

Furthermore, ICRI was involved in projects addressing the needs of children whose parents worked far from home and other initiatives focusing on the care, health, and well-being of children and their families.

5.   Alaska Project:

In 2017, ICRI established a long-term partnership with the Copper River Native Association (CRNA), serving the Ahtna people and culture across five tribes in Southeastern Alaska. ICRI consulted and collaborated with CRNA's leadership and staff to develop and implement a comprehensive 5-year plan. This plan aimed at creating and enhancing organization-wide programming, encompassing a broad range of initiatives such as community planning and building, resiliency, advocacy, self-improvement, and teacher training.

The partnership's key focus was designing and developing model environments, ranging from early childhood centers to senior programs, and fostering intergenerational programs and fund development strategies. Throughout this collaboration, ICRI worked intimately with CRNA's leadership, staff, and the Board of Elders, ensuring that all programming adhered to modern best practices and remained deeply ingrained in the local culture and traditions. Each program was meticulously tailored to meet the community's specific needs, ensuring that their voices were heard and significantly influencing the establishment and operation of these programs.

6.   Santa Cruz Memorandum of Understanding:

INQUIRIES

Interested in enlisting ICRI's consulting services or want more information?

Please send us an email at info@icrichild.org or call us at (510) 644-1000. We will work with you to find a rate that fits your budget and timeline.