Nutri-care Mobile application:

Nutri-care is an innovation that we are envisaging to address early childhood nutrition using technology, reaching the maximum beneficiaries. This application will provide essential information to primary and secondary caretakers, related to early childhood care and development. The salient features of the application include, under 5 nutrition, vaccination, parenting tips, social-security schemes, etc. We envisage Nutri-care as a one-stop platform for all pertinent information related to pregnancy and early childhood care and development available for the facilitators who work with pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, fathers, and other caretakers. The fully-developed application shall be downloaded by the end-users directly and get benefitted. This application will also provide a reminder to the parents about the stage-wise vaccinations, thus aiming at ensuring 100% vaccination. The application is user-friendly, easily accessible, and developed in the local language.

This application is developed by Integrated Rural Community Development Society (IRCDS) a Civil Society Organization, operating from Thiruvallur District in Tamil Nadu in partnership with Children Believe Fund. This application has been funded by Taiwan Aid for Children and Families (TFCF)

A brief about IRCDS

Integrated Rural Community Development Society (IRCDS) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) founded in 1986. Its Vision is to uphold Love, Peace, Justice and Equality in Society. Mission is Build knowledge, skills and noble values.

It is a value-based organization building the capacity of the people to be responsible for their own development. IRCDS works with and for children, women and persons with disabilities particularly from socially excluded and marginalized communities who have been organized into community-based organizations to actively participate in their development and well-being. IRCDS program promotes gender and social inclusion. In our working area, poverty and discrimination based on a deep-rooted caste system and gender inequalities cause social exclusion. We address this systemic barrier with the support of different partners and stakeholders by specializing in gender and social inclusion, protecting children, women and persons with disabilities and by ensuring their participation in taking informed decisions.

IRCDS firmly believes in working in collaboration with Government at different levels to ensure quality delivery of services related to Education, Health, Nutrition and Livelihood to marginalized communities.

Brief About Children Believe:

Children Believe (India): CB (India) has been working in India since 1972, implementing child-focused programs through country partners (grassroots non-profit organizations). Children Believe brings together a diverse array of experts and partners, driven by a common belief: education extends beyond the walls of a classroom and is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world. CB ’s priority area is on breaking barriers preventing access to inclusive, quality education for all, especially girls. Children Believe in India aspires to become a centre of excellence on gender and social inclusion as they are viewed as major barrier to children’s education.

Ethics and Confidentiality:

The data gathered through this information is accessible only by IRCDS and Children Believe and will be used to statistically analyze the data and the interpreted data will be used solely for the purpose of informed decision making and program improvement. The users will read the privacy policy and will provide consent to use this application. They will be informed about the usage of the application and how their identity is protected.

Privacy Policy:

IRCDS recognizes an individual’s right to privacy and is committed to maintaining the accuracy, confidentiality, privacy, and security of the personal information in its custody. In pursuit of our mission, we pledge to treat everyone with respect and dignity and protect their privacy. IRCDs adheres to the highest standards of quality, transparency, and accountability. To demonstrate this commitment, the organization has developed policies and procedures about the collection, use, and disclosure of information that align with legislation and with industry standards.

The purpose of this policy is to explain what personal information IRCDS collects, why it collects personal information and how it uses it. IRCDS will only collect, use and disclose your personal information in accordance with its privacy policy.

This policy applies to any personal information provided to or collected by IRCDS through mobile-based application Nutri-care, email, written or verbally, and any other means. This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, funders, and third parties who have access to IRCDS personal information or who collect use, or disclose personal information on behalf of the organization.

For the purposes of this policy, personal information is defined as any information, in any form, about an identifiable individual, or that can be used to identify an individual, alone or in combination with other information. Personal information does not include information that is publicly available, such as business contact information that is collected, used, or disclosed solely for the purpose of communicating with that person in relation to their employment or profession, or information found in a telephone directory. Volunteers and staff are required to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of all personal information in any and all formats both while acting as an active volunteer or staff member and after they leave the organization.

IRCDS collects personal information in different ways, including:

- Direct interactions

- Automated interactions

- Third-party interactions

The main purposes for which IRCDS generally uses personal information are:

- To manage, oversee and administer its operations

- To deliver its programs and services

- To administer its child-sponsorship program

- To pursue government relations and advocacy initiatives

- To deliver public education

- To conduct and facilitate fundraising appeals

- To conduct marketing efforts

- To undertake statistical reporting

- To with any legal regulatory requirements

- To maintain and manage relationships and provide customer service

- To identify and authenticate users in its information system and network

- To provide, administer and protect its website, information system, and network

- For privacy and quality management audits and training

- To protect its rights, property, or safety or that of its employees, volunteers, or any other person

- For other purposes to which individuals consent

- To fulfill other purposes permitted or required by law IRCDS does not collect more personal information than it needs to achieve these purposes.

IRCDS will identify the purposes for which personal information is collected. The identified purposes will be specified at or before the time of collection to the individual from whom the personal information is collected. When personal information that has been collected is to be used for a purpose not previously identified, we will communicate the new purpose to each individual and obtain their consent to use the information.

IRCDS only collects, uses, and discloses personal information with your knowledge and consent. Your consent may be expressed orally, electronically, or in writing or it may be implied. We are committed to obtaining meaningful consent and use clear explanations and plain language to make sure that our consent processes are understandable and user-friendly. You have the right at any time to withdraw or cancel your consent to the collection, use, or disclosure of your personal information by contacting the IRCDS Privacy Officer. Withdrawals of consent only take effect from the date of cancellation. They cannot be retroactive. We will let you know if your withdrawal could have many consequences, such as IRCDS being unable to provide you with goods or services.

The knowledge and consent of the individual are required for the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information, except where consent is not required for very specific reasons. It is anticipated that instances in which knowledge and consent of the individual would not be required would be extremely rare and would include legal, medical, or security reasons, which would have to be fully documented. Consent is considered valid only if it is reasonable to expect that individuals to whom IRCDS’s activities are directed would understand the nature, purpose, and consequences of the collection, use, or disclosure, to which they are consenting.

The privacy officer is Mr. P. Stephen, Executive Secretary, IRCDS

Email : ircds1986@gmail.com