The Idea
Ummeed recognizes that there are many communities (e.g. urban slums, rural and tribal communities) that do not yet have access to skilled medical or education professionals, and where services are provided instead by community workers/community-based organizations (including government systems). These communities have children with and at risk of disabilities, often in higher numbers because of risk factors such as poor nutrition, lack of stimulation, etc.
The first few years in a child’s life are particularly important because vital brain development occurs in all domains. Research shows that synaptic connections in the brain form and mature in the “critical period” between birth to six years of age with the most rapid development occurring in the first three years. Children require a responsive caregiver along with a secure, stimulating and safe environment in those vital first years for optimal development.
Community
Outreach Services
In 2009, Ummeed set up the Early Childhood Development and Disabilities (ECDD) team to partner with community-based organizations and train community workers on promoting and monitoring child development between 0-6 years of age, early identification of children with delays and disabilities and appropriate intervention (both within the community context as well as appropriate referral when relevant). The ECDD team’s trainees and partners have included community-based organizations working in the space of maternal and child health, nutrition, education and disabilities across India.
Ummeed’s other teams also offer trainings and other interventions for communities and community-based organizations, e.g., Community Mental Health Training Program (CMHTP), Know Your Rights, etc. Please click here to view all the training courses offered by Ummeed.
Early Childhood
Development and Disabilities (ECDD) Team
Our Approach
Short-Term Trainings
and Awareness
Some of the short-term workshops offered are Introduction to early childhood development, Guide for Monitoring Child Development (GMCD), etc.
Please click here to know more
Long-Term Trainings
This includes the Child Development Aide (CDA) Training
Please click here to know more
Partnerships and Networks
- The ECDD's approach to inclusivity has involved strategic partnerships with organizations across multiple states all over India, and includes organizations such as Animedh Charitable Trust, Shishu Sarothi, Samaveshi Paathshala, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Latika, Ekjut, SNEHA Mumbai, Apnalaya Mumbai, ARMAAN. These partnerships have primarily revolved around training and capacity building of community workers.
- Ummeed has also joined an ECD (Early Childhood Development) network that was initially conceptualized by Sattva. Currently, this network is under the management of Porticus and the Bernard Van Leer Foundation, two prominent organizations with long-standing commitments to improving education and social conditions globally. By bringing together organizations, specialists and advocates under one umbrella, the network aims to foster a collaborative environment that encourages the sharing of knowledge, resources and best practices. Ultimately, the hope is to create significant influence and impact in the ECD sphere, enabling more inclusive and effective interventions that support early childhood development and address disabilities in a comprehensive manner.
Research, publications advocacy
- Ummeed is currently (2020-2025) part of a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded implementation research project to assess the effectiveness of the GMCD as an intervention tool by community health workers across rural sites in two different countries – India and Guatemala. Under this project, Ummeed’s role is primarily that of a training partner and content expert for the Indian implementation site (Sewagram in Wardha) at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (MGIMS).
- Ummeed’s work in the early childhood development and disabilities space has been published in the following:
Case Studies of Nurturing Care During COVID-19 (fhi360.org)
Nurturing Care for Early Childhood Development – ( hosted by World Health Organization, World Bank Group, UNICEF) is a framework for helping children SURVIVE and THRIVE to TRANSFORM health and human potential
Case studies of programs to promote and protect nurturing care during the COVID-19 pandemic Case studies of programms to promote and protect nurturing care during the COVID-19 (nurturing-care.org)
South-East Asia multisectoral meeting to promote nurturing care for early childhood development
ECD in challenging times (nurturing-care.org)
Mental health for caregivers (nurturing-care.org)
Ummeed – Supporting caregiver mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic (nurturing-care.org)
Promoting early childhood development globally in the time of COVID-19 (nurturing-care.org)
Last-mile delivery of early childhood development services (IPCaRes, June 2022)
The Team
Dr Roopa Srinivasan
Shweta Upadhyay
Namrata Edwards
Malavika Singh
Anushree Sane
Dr Vibha Krishnamurthy
Priti Inje
Priyanka Khuje
Sakshi Bhavsar
Mamta Ekka
For Early Childhood Development and Disabilities (ECDD) related inquiries
