Strengthening community-based care for vulnerable children in Ethiopia: A mixed-method evaluation of program reach and community capacity development

Abstract

Ethiopian children face serious challenges resulting from the HIV/AIDS pandemic. In response to these challenges, the Positive Change: Children, Communities and Care (PC3) program mobilized local communities to address them in seven regions of Ethiopia. This study aims to evaluate the PC3 program reach including the scale of services provided and the extent to which the provided care corresponded to the identified needs. It also assesses whether and how the program enhanced the capacity of local community-based organizations (CBOs) to respond to the needs of vulnerable children. The study team employed a mixed-method approach, assessing program reach through record review of services provided to children (n = 247,461), and assessing community capacity development through 11 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with leaders from four randomly selected local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and seven CBOs. Of all children included in the program, 88% needed at least one service and 97% of these children received at least one, whereas 55% had at least one un-met need. Further, 29% of children received services for needs which were not identified. Interviews indicated that the PC3 program mobilized and transformed local communities to address multiple needs of children. Community involvement and ownership of the program helped leverage partner resources to meet the needs of children in their communities. The PC3 program can provide a model for other communities in Sub-Saharan African countries with similar challenges. The impact of the PC3 program may have been understated due to underreporting. The research indicated that the program underutilized program data for the purposes of program management, assessment, and improvement. Improvement in this area would have enhanced this highly effective community mobilization model.

Keywords:

• OVC
• Ethiopia
• capacity building
• community-based care
• NGO
• PC3

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Save the Children USA and the FACES Vulnerable Children Research Circle, an initiative of the University of Wisconsin–Madison-Global Health Institute. Special thanks to the community leaders who shared their knowledge and experience with us. This research article was made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Aid for International Development (USAID). The contents do not necessarily reflect the views of the USAID or the United States Government.

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