Improving Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Referral System in Nigeria Using the Network Strengthening Approach IODA Conference, Stellenbosch Cape Town, South Africa Faith Lannap Government System Strengthening Technical Advisor 6, September 2017
Project Background Coordinating Comprehensive Care for Children (4Children) Project in Nigeria is a 2 year USAID funded technical assistance project targeting 16 PEPFAR Implementing Partners implementing Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) interventions and 33 state government ministries coordinating OVC response. Goal: OVC and their households have access to HIV-sensitive services that allow for their responsible graduation or transition from direct PEPFAR Support Strategic Objective 1 States and LGAs have strengthened capacity to sustain HIVsensitive social service systems Strategic Objective 2 CSOs and health facilities have strengthened capacity to provide services (case management and referral, Household Economic Strengthening(HES), parenting and adolescent girl programming) that support the graduation or transition of OVC and their households.
Background OVC programming recognizes that vulnerable children have diverse needs which is usually dependent on age, gender, health status, family environment etc. 4 Children recognizes that a referral network is a fundamental component of any multi-sectoral and integrated service delivery system Project mandate includes strengthening the referral system for OVC using the network strengthening approach.
Objective Understand the connections and collaborations among OVC service providers at the state level with the aim of improving the OVC referral system for quality service delivery
Coverage Kaduna State Federal Capital Territories Lagos State Akwa Ibom State
Stakeholders engaged Government /Networks State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development State Ministry of Health State Ministry of Education State Ministry of Agriculture National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) National Human Right Commission State Agency on the Control of AIDS (SACA) International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Child Protection Networks (CPN) Association of OVC NGOs in Nigeria (AONN) Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPHWAN) Civil Society on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (CISHAN) Implementing Partners Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH) AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria Achieving Health Initiative in Nigeria Centre for Clinical Care and Clinical Research Catholic Caritas Foundation Of Nigeria Excellence Community Educational Welfare Scheme Family Health International (fhi 360) Centre for integrated health programme (CHIP) Pro Health International Institute of Human Virology Nigeria Management Science for Health Widows and Orphans Empowerment Organization (WEWE) Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Save the Children International (SCI)
Survey Questions The following were the questions asked on the survey tool: 1. In the past twelve months, my organization has reached out to the following organizations for the specified services for OVC clients. 2. In the past twelve months, my organization has been contacted by the following organizations for the specified services for OVC clients. 3. For the following organizations, do you have records of completed referrals that you have made to them during the past 12 months? 4. In the last twelve months, did you interact directly with each of the following organizations for the specified purposes(ie &TWG)?
Results Akwa Ibom and Lagos Question 1: In the past twelve months, my organization has reached out to the following organizations for the specified services for OVC clients
Results FCT and Kaduna Question 1: In the past twelve months, my organization has reached out to the following organizations for the specified services for OVC clients
Results Akwa Ibom and Lagos Question 2: In the past twelve months, my organization has been contacted by the following organizations for the specified services for OVC clients.
Results FCT and Kaduna Question 2: In the past twelve months, my organization has been contacted by the following organizations for the specified services for OVC clients.
Results Akwa Ibom and Lagos Question 3: For the following organizations, do you have records of completed referrals that you have made to them during the past 12 months?
Results FCT and Kaduna Question 3: For the following organizations, do you have records of completed referrals that you have made to them during the past 12 months?
Results Akwa Ibom and Lagos Question 4: In the last twelve months, did you interact directly with each of the following organizations for the specified purposes?
Results FCT and Kaduna Question 4: In the last twelve months, did you interact directly with each of the following organizations for the specified purposes?
Key recommendations Map out additional OVC Stakeholders especially those providing Food & Nutrition and HES and include them on the membership of the OVC Technical Steering Committee (TSC) Reactivate OVC Technical Steering Committee (TSC) with clear TOR which defines membership, roles and responsibilities and frequency of meetings. Strengthen the coordination capacity of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to effectively manage the network Develop National guidelines and tools, SOPs to strengthen the referral mechanism for OVC. There should be a comprehensive OVC service mapping in the state that should be documented as a service directory and disseminated to all OVC stakeholders. Constitute /inaugurate case management and referral sub-committee that will align to the OVC Technical Steering committee
Key lessons learnt There should be a comprehensive system mapping of stakeholders before the survey. The participating stakeholders should be sensitize on the purpose of the survey so that they can adequately response to the survey questions. There should be continuous follow up with the stakeholders to attend the survey meeting because the absence of any stakeholder impacts on the results. Walk through the survey questions with the participants to ensure they clearly understand the questions. Develop a guide for the map analysis and development of recommendations.
Conclusion In conclusion, the TSC at the state level are now functional and includes stakeholders providing HES and Food & Nutrition services and we are beginning to see an improved connection and collaboration among OVC stakeholders.
THANK YOU!!!