On-going, intensive technical assistance may often be required to improve the quality of programs. Technical assistance tools must be instructive and user-friendly. Staff are key. Too often, technical assistance means finding out what is wrong with a program. Select staff who are able to provide a personal touch in relationship building that works toward improving the program, not punishing it for inadequacies.
Partners are the foundation.
Get partners to the table early in the process. Be prepared to facilitate their understanding of each entity s work and the importance of collaboration. Talk to school personnel, attend their conferences, and seek creative ways to communicate with and engage them. Push for partnerships that are innovative and collaborative and that eliminate repetition. This information was developed as part of the Child Care Partnership Project, a multi-year technical assistance effort funded by the Child Care Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.