It Takes A Village: How KERN IT helped launch a vital initiative for Brussels nursing homes

In 2024, the It Takes A Village (ITAV) initiative arrived at KERN IT in a delicate context: a freshly validated design, a heavily depleted budget… and an initial development team that had abandoned the project at the last minute.

The result: a site that was impossible to finalize, a non-negotiable launch deadline, and a project team left in total uncertainty.

At KERN IT, we are used to stepping into these situations: taking over a project, clarifying priorities, and delivering a functional solution within realistic deadlines. This is precisely how we handled it.

The initial challenge: transforming a design into a functional site within a critical timeframe

When we first met, ITAV had a graphic design that was only partially exploitable, but it hadn't been thought through for integration into a real-world application.
The need was clear: a robust, structured, and manageable site, featuring a fully operational registration system before the launch date.

Our objective was therefore twofold:

1. Finding a solution tailored to the remaining budget, without compromising on quality
2. Meeting the deadline, which was essential for the launch of the first support programs

Our approach: a hybrid, high-performance, and scalable architecture

To balance constraints, speed, and quality, we structured the project around a cohesive ecosystem:

1. Refining and finalizing the design

Le design existant n’avait pas été finalisé, ni pensé techniquement. he existing design was not completed and lacking technical feasibility.
We took it over, adjusted, and consolidated it to ensure a clean, cohesive, and scalable integration.

2. Website development on Wagtail

We built the site on Wagtail, a modern and flexible CMS powered by Django.
Objectives:

• Provide smooth content management
• Properly structure information
• Guarantee technical longevity.

3. Implementing a low-code application for registrations

To meet the deadlines, we developed a dedicated low-code application for registrations:

• Event management
• Registration collection
• Confirmations
• Logistics tracking.

4. Progressive development of a custom dashboard

Once the launch was secured, we expanded the scope:

• Custom dashboard
• Advanced management of exchange days
• Operational tracking
• Session administration.

5. Continuous improvement and support for the ITAV team

Throughout the project, we worked in phases, as we always do at KERN IT:

• Iterative deliveries
• Continuous priorization
• Supporting the team in mastering the tools

The result: hundreds of professionals from the sector registered for the events within the very first weeks.

Understanding the It Takes A Village initiative

To put the project's importance into perspective, here is a clear overview of the initiative.

Building the care homes of tomorrow

It Takes A Village aims to transform care homes (MR/MRS) in the Brussels-Capital Region.
The initiative is led by the King Baudouin Foundation and supported by Iriscare, within a context of major sector transition

In January 2024, a new decree redefined accreditation standards to encourage a genuine cultural shift:

• Stronger connections
• Greater autonomy
• Increased recognition and inclusion of diversity.

ITAV provides resources, training, support programs, and exchange spaces to facilitate this transition.

5 itineraries to meet diverse needs

ITAV offers five additional itineraries:

1. Drawing inspiration from best practices

To discover, share, and enrich existing professional practices.

1. Exchanging with peers

Co-development sessions for nurses, management, physiotherapists, care assistants, and more.

1. Starting from a specific question

Personalized support focused on a targeted challenge (e.g., living and working together).

1. Engaging in a global approach

A structured journey inspired by methodologies such as TUBBE or Montessori.

1. Innovating through diverse perspectives

Creativity groups, hackathons, and co-construction involving staff, residents, and families.

An accessible, funded, and recognized initiative

• Free for care homes, thanks to Iriscare funding.
• Recognized and accredited training programs.
• Combinable pathways to suit each facility's availability and priorities.

Why this project matters to us

What truly motivated us with ITAV was the combination of three very concrete realities:

1. A real-world context with immediate human stakes

We didn’t just create a showcase website: we helped an entire sector prepare for a major reform and improve living conditions in Brussels’ nursing homes.
It had to work perfectly from day one.

2. An atypical project requiring rapid stabilization

Stepping in after a previous provider’s departure, with a partial design and narrow margins, requires a methodical approach: restructure, simplify, deliver fast, then expand. This is the kind of mission we excel at.

3. A collaboration with deeply committed partners

The teams from the King Baudouin Foundation, Iriscare, and Atanor were highly involved.
This dynamic allowed us to move fast, clarify priorities, and build solutions that provided immediate value.

Conclusion

It Takes A Village is an ambitious and essential project, supporting a profound transformation of Brussels’ nursing homes.
We are proud to have contributed to its launch, under demanding circumstances, with a pragmatic and structured approach.

We would like to thank the King Baudouin Foundation, Iriscare, and Atanor for their trust.

If you are leading an impact-driven initiative, a funded program, or a support scheme and are looking for a partner capable of transforming your vision into a concrete application, let’s talk.