PEPFAR

New OVC Programming Guidance Overview

Dr. Nicole BehnamPEPFAR/ OGAC

AIDS 2012 - Turning the Tide Together

Purpose

• Assists PEPFAR country teams and implementing partners in – developing country operational plans– designing programs that incorporate, context, known best

practice and innovation. – Implementing evidence-based, and cost-effective activities.

• Closes gaps in past programming efforts.

• Places the OVC programming within the HIV/AIDS continuum of response at the country level.

NOT “how-to” manual for implementation

Key points from Guidance• There is no “minimum package of services.”• Primary strategy for child well-being is strengthening parents and

caregivers.• Country ownership promotion is imperative and must be

balanced with meeting children’s immediate needs.• A young person who turns 18 while receiving OVC services

should not automatically be terminated from receiving assistance.

• Programs should build interventions on evidence-based practice. Guidance includes summaries of evidence for interventions.

• Programs encouraged to allocate 10% of project funding to M&E. • Experienced and specialized technical expertise is required for

interventions.

Guiding Principles

• Strengthening families as primary caregivers of children.

• Strengthening systems to support country ownership, including community ownership.

• Ensuring prioritized, focused interventions that address children’s most critical care needs.

• Working within the continuum of response to achieve an AIDS-free generation.

Governments have skills & staff to ensure strong child welfare &

social protection services

Civil Society, including NGOs & communities,

are organized & resourced to identify children &families at

risk & to provide safety nets

Families are empowered through access to health care, parenting skills &

economic strengthening to fulfill role as primary carers

of children

Children are protected from and resilient to

HIV/AIDS and other risks to their development and

well-being

Approach

HIV infection of ParentsHIV infection of Parents

Possible distancing by parent, disclosure issuesPossible distancing by parent, disclosure issues

Children may become caregivers

Psychosocial distressPsychosocial distress

Deaths of parents

Increasingly serious illnessIncreasingly serious illness

Children withdraw from school

Children withdraw from school

Inadequate foodInadequate food

Problems with shelter & material needs

Problems with shelter & material needs

Economic problemsEconomic problems

Problems with inheritance

Problems with inheritance

Reduced access to health services

Reduced access to health services

Children without adequate adult care

DiscriminationDiscrimination

Increased vulnerability to HIV infection

Increased vulnerability to HIV infection

Life on the streetLife on the street

InstitutionalizationInstitutionalization

Sexual exploitationSexual exploitation

Exploitative child laborExploitative child labor

How HIV Affects Children

Technical SectorsAddressing issues entails multi-sectoral approach that assesses complexities of vulnerability

• Education• Psychosocial Care and Support• Household Economic Strengthening• Social Protection• Child Protection• Legal Protection• Health and Nutrition• Capacity-building

Sectors and Approach

Ages Stages OVC Programs Across the Age Span

Collaboration

Prenatal to three Safety and security

Home visitors encourage adherence to PMTCT and reduce loss to follow-up

Referral for

HIV testing

and

adherence support

Disclosure

and

Bereavement

Support

Referrals for prevention, diagnosis and management of TB and opportunistic Infections

PMTCT, MCH (vaccinations, etc.), Food and NutritionBirth registration

Training in Parental Skills reduces toxic stress effects

Preschool Curiosity

Nutrition and ECD programs boost holistic development

MCH, WASH, Food and Nutrition

Age appropriate entry into a safe, non-discriminatory early learning program, esp. for girls

Middle years Learning

Access to education, enrollment into school and facilitation for retention

GBV, HIV prevention, Education

Creation of child friendly, gender sensitive classrooms

Ensure completion of primary school, esp. for girls

Kids clubs develop social skills

Early Adolescence Peer Acceptance

Peer support groupsGBV, HIV

prevention, Education

Protection from harmful labor/ trafficking

Late adolescence to adulthood Decision-making

Referrals to adolescent reproductive and family health services

GBV, Prevention, Family Planning,

Reproductive Health

If out of school, access to vocational education or other training opportunities that result in sustainable livelihoods

Mentorship programs

Money Management

Programming for Ages & Stages

Priority Interventions

Thank you!

Guidance Discussion and Q&A

Shriver Hall, Peace Corps1111 20th Street, NW

Friday , July 27th, 9:00 – 10:30 am

No need to be registered for conferencePlease be aware of security checks at door