Education Training + Technical Assistance

Capabilities

• Clearinghouse—ICF’s approach to clearinghouse development and management recognizes the clearinghouse as a powerful element of a comprehensive technical assistance system. ICF-managed clearinghouses collect and deliver critical knowledge in real time to targeted audiences, to promote mission-directed action through information and referral support, product development, and dissemination.
• Evaluation of TA impact—ICF evaluates the impact of technical assistance in multiple fields with an emphasis on needs identification, continuous improvement, and assessment of program, policy, and practice changes occurring because of TA. Evaluation enables ICF to take an evidence-based approach to all of our technical assistance engagements, establishing continuous feedback concerning customer experiences, individual and organizational performance, long-term impact, and areas for further assistance.
• Innovative approaches—ICF emphasizes the use of innovative, productive, and cost-effective strategies. For example, ICF fields qualified coaches with expertise in behavioral and organizational dynamics to help our clients build staff and leadership capacity and create attainable and sustainable solutions.
• Technical assistance (TA) tracking and trend analysis—ICF creates project and information management systems and web-based tools to track, analyze, and store TA requests and assignments, including costs and personnel engaged. Databases produce reports that analyze trends, permitting the identification of common needs and patterns and leading to the initiation of alternate formats for TA, such as a toolkit or publication.
• Technology-assisted TA—ICF’s state-of-the-art technology engages constituents and stakeholders in real-time collaboration, intensive learning, and skill building. ICF staff members facilitate online communities that allow for exchange and generate knowledge in support of common goals through discussions and resource sharing, including webinars featuring internal and external experts.

Clients

• State of West Virginia
• U.S. Department of Education (ED)
  
  • Institute of Education Sciences (IES)
• U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS)
  
  • Administration for Children and Families
    • Office of Child Care
    • Office of Head Start
• U.S. Navy

Projects

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  Professional Development Program for Infant and Toddler Caregivers in West Virginia

  In 2008, ICF was selected to revise the Administrators’ Training Manual for the West Virginia Infant/Toddler (WVIT) Professional Development Program for Caregivers. Subsequently, ICF was chosen to design an additional 45 hours of training for caregivers (articulated for college credit) and 6 hours of training for administrators of Infant/Toddler programs.

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  National Child Care Information Center (NCCIC)

  ICF has operated the National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center (NCCIC) since 1994, providing broad information on early and school age care and education through its website, toll-free line, and email service on behalf of the Office of Child Care.

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  Reform Support Network

  ICF was selected by the U.S. Department of Education to manage the Reform Support Network, which was designed to help states implement sweeping reforms in education policy and practice.

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  Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Center (HSTTAC) Contracts

  Under contract with the Office of Head Start, Administration for Children and Families, ICF provides training and technical assistance (TTA) support in 21 states across four federal regions to Head Start and Early Head Start grantees.

Experts

• Julie Shuell

  Principal

• Carolyn Mangrum

  Program Director

• Nancy Schwachter

  Program Director

• Wendy Sisson

  Principal

• Dr. Kimberly Hambrick

  Principal