Week 4: Continuing to share web resources

The website that I have been exploring during this course is the International Children’s Resource Institute site, www.icrichild.org. ICRI envisions a world in which all children and families are able to fulfill their greatest potential. This institute engages in advocacy work by focusing on child care and early education issues, children’s rights, the empowerment of women and girls, maternal and child health, and grassroots collaboration and community development. All of these works are relevant in what I do professionally, as well as contribute to my future professional development in the ECE field.

Most of the US based projects are based out of various areas of California; however, I believe
that California and Florida are very similar in terms of facing some of the same issues with service delivery to children and families, and this is an insight which I recently obtained. The demographics of those we serve are very similar mostly due to the fact that we have high rates of immigrants due to our geographic locations. There are many specific, US based projects that ICRI sponsors which seem as though they are relevant to my professional development.

One of these is the HOMEY Project. This initiative works with young people of color to reduce their risks of dropping out of school, gang affiliation, etc. Additionally, with particular concentration on young Latinos, the project works to link them with community resources that offer culturally competent services including case management, educational services, violence prevention, counseling, and most importantly (in my opinion) advocacy and empowerment programs. I like the idea of the HOMEY project because it has the potential to focus on prevention. I believe preventative services for at-risk youth and families are one of the toughest undertakings the ECE field has currently. Yes, we must address current issues and struggles of children and families, however, it is just as, if not more important to strive for preventing these challenges in the first place! Another advantage to the HOMEY project is that it acts as “a major voice for youth at the local and statewide levels” allowing politicians to gain the insight needed to make tough decisions concerning children and families (http://www.icrichild.org/homey/).


During my exploration of the ICRI website and organization, it is very clear that the International Children’s Resource Institute is rapidly becoming a leader in the movement towards advocacy for the rights of children and families. ICRI is making a name for itself and its cause by being invited to prestigious and collaborative gatherings such as: In 2009 ICRI was invited to provide keynote speeches at the first Prime Minister and First Lady’s International Conference on Early Childhood Education. ICRI celebrated their 30 year anniversary and achievements at the 2011 World Forum on Early Care and Education in Honolulu, HI. The ICRI organization inspires me to keep going in my professional development working toward equality and empowerment of children and families, both here at home and across the globe.