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    Preliminary OVC Proposal

    You and I Together

    Supporting Orphans and Vulnerable Children

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    Mission Statement

    For Those In Need, Inc. is dedicated to promoting the human rights

    and welfare of orphans and vulnerable children who

    have special needs.

    Value Statement

    For those In Need, Inc. is a strength-based agency that is dedicated

    to the utilization of holistic treatment in children

    and adults with special needs who may also be

    confronting emotional, physical, financial, and

    spiritual distress.

    Vision Statement

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    For Those In Need, Inc. holds as fundamental the notion that

    by joining together as one, people with different

    talents and from different cultural backgrounds

    can bring the gift of love to help individuals and

    families heal themselves.

    For Those In Need, Inc

    Serving Orphans & Children with Special Needs

    The For Those In Need, Inc.Vision

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    Letter from E. Geronimo Robinson, the President of For Those In Need, Inc.

    For Those In Need, Inc., will be working in Partnership with NatureCare Wellness Centre, A Health and

    Wellness Company in Botswana owned by a Botswana business person. Also, For Those In Need, Inc. will

    collaborate with the Department of Social Services in Botswana, who will provide Case Management and

    Social Service staff who will be trained by For Those In Need, Inc to deliver these services to the OVC.

    This project requires a sequence of five separate but overlapping phases of activity:

    The Local Government DSS will be trained by For Those In Need staff to recruit and develop training of

    the project teams, to assess and screen OVC, to develop and implement services, and to develop and

    monitor a program evaluation process.

    The proposed project is different from what has already been put in place to serve OVC in Botswana, in

    that it focuses on providing in-home mental health, developmental and wellness supports for OVC who

    have been traumatized by the loss of parents who died of Aids. It also sets up a system to assess OVC

    needs and design individual service plans that allow for staff to provide individualized psychosocial and

    developmental supports and rehabilitation for OVC in underserved Botswana communities.

    The Congressional Research Service (CRS) report for Congress published in February 2005 is particularly

    helpful in illustrating the problem we are trying to address. That report points out that the psychological

    and psychosocial impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic is often being overlooked at this point in time. The

    report is able to cite only three relatively small projects that exist, and one of these is in Zimbabwe. Each

    of these programs reflects the humane mission, vision and dedication of the participating organizations

    and individuals involved. However, they do not represent a coordinated effort to build the national

    systems and infrastructure that will be required in order for Botswana to fully address the HIV/AIDS

    crisis in a manner consistent with its national vision, as described in Botswana's National Vision 2016.

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    The CRS report also points out the serious negative impact on school performance of the epidemic. Our

    impression from our contacts in Botswana is that this reduced school performance is a function of

    significant increases in secondary factors such as developmental, mental health and social support

    issues. These factors, if not fully addressed, could not only rob Botswana of tens of thousands of

    potentially productive citizens, it could burden the nation with a large population of citizens who will

    require ongoing state support and assistance for the rest of their lives. Small charitable programs and

    projects that rely mostly on volunteers and that operate from their own missions will not prevent this,

    nor will they enable Botswana to achieve its national vision.

    The other programs working on the OVC situation appear to focus largely on the development of

    medical and educational interventions to address the specific behavioral, informational and cultural

    issues that underlie the spread of HIV/AIDS.

    Obviously these are critical components of intervention, and the project we propose would coordinate

    with and extend these efforts. It is clear that these current projects are insufficient to address the scope

    of Botswana's need. For instance, the Botswana-Baylor Children's Clinical Center for Excellence is

    recognized for its state-of-the-art collaborative work. It is also reported to serve 1,200 HIV/AIDS infected

    children and over 200 families. While this is a substantial achievement, it represents only a small

    fraction of the rapidly growing OVC population.

    What For Those In Need envisions is an ambitious project that, in a matter of a few years, will expand

    and result in the development of a coordinated national infrastructure for psychosocial, developmental

    and wellness intervention in Botswana. The OVC project proposed by our agency yields a national force

    of trained professionals within Botswana that would put the nation into a leadership role throughout

    the world in addressing the ravages of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. At the same time, the project assists

    Botswana to achieve its national vision of becoming an educated, prosperous, productive,

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    compassionate and innovative nation that is capable of independently sustaining its development and

    implementation of effective service systems.

    Table of Contents

    1. Introduction PAGE

    1.1 Botswana National Vision 2016 6

    1.1.1 Review of Current OVC Reports

    1.1.2 Implications of Vision for Services

    1.2 Impact of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic 8

    1.2.1 General Population Projections

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    1.2.2 OVC Population Projections

    1.2.3 A Nation in Grief

    1.2.4 Implications for Staffing of Services

    1.2.5 Implications for Service Models

    1.3. Programs for OVC 10

    1.3.1 Description of Current OVC Supports

    1.3.2 Scope & Impact of Current Programs

    1.3.3 Summary of Needs

    1.3.3.1. Assessment & Screening of OVC

    1.3.3.2. Development & Implementation of Services & Supports

    1.3.3.3. Staff Training, Development & Support

    1.3.3.4. Oversight & Evaluation of Systems

    1.3.4 Scope & Structure for Intervention

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    1.3.5 Required Supports for the Intervention

    1.3.6 Funding: From Charity to Autonomy

    2. Purpose Of The Pilot Project

    2.1 Towards a National Vision 13

    2.2 Perspectives 13

    2.2.1. Vulnerable Children & Their Caretakers

    2.2.2. Current Professionals and Staff

    2.2.3. Government & Taxpayers

    2.3 Timeframes for Implementation 14

    2.3.1 The Pilot Project

    2.3.2 Long Term Structure

    2.3.3 Budget Timelines

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    3. or Those In Need's Strategic Approach

    3.1 Project Mission & Goals 15

    3.2 Agency Background & Resources 17

    3.3 Strategies: Towards Cultural Competence 19

    3.3.1 Partnering with Local Businesses

    3.3.2 Integrating with Existing Systems

    3.3.3 Development of Training & Support Structures

    3.3.4 QA Structure of Ongoing / Research & Development

    3.4 Initiatives Short Term 21

    3.4.1 In-home Psycho-Social Model

    3.4.2 Developmental Intervention

    3.4.3 Wellness Model

    3.5 Pilot Project 25

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    3.6 Initiatives Long Term 25

    3.6.1 Extending The Models

    3.6.2 Building National Systems Goals

    3.6.3 Specific Partnerships

    4. Outcomes

    4.1 Strategic Goals & Performance Measures 26

    4.2 Quality Assurance Goals 27

    4.3 National Outcome Measures 28

    4.4 Timelines 29

    5. Acknowledgements

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    Introduction

    Botswana's Vision 2016 began in August 1996 with a nine person Presidential Task Group. These capable

    individuals produced a booklet entitled A Framework for a Long Term Vision for Botswana. The Vision

    2016 is available on Botswana's national website, and it is briefly presented below with its underlying

    principles.

    The ultimate goal of the proposal outlined here is to assist the Batswana in achieving this vision as it isreflected in the welfare of and services to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC).

    Botswana National Vision 2016

    Botswana will be an educated and informed nation. All people will be able to have good quality

    education that is adapted to the needs of the country. Schooling will be universal and compulsory to the

    secondary level. Good quality vocational and technical training will be available at secondary level and

    beyond as an alternative to academic study. Entrepreneurship and business skills will be an integral part

    of all schooling. No student will be disadvantaged by ethnic origin, gender, language or remoteness of

    settlement. Botswana will be in the forefront of information technology with state of the art computer

    and communications equipment, and will play a full part in the coming information age. All people will

    have access to telephones, national newspapers, radio and television services, and to computer

    equipment. Information about the operations of Government or other organisations will be freely

    available to all citizens.

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    By the year 2016, Botswana will be a prosperous, productive and innovative nation. Batswana will be a

    hard working and disciplined people with a diversified economy. Agriculture, industry, mining and

    services will be productive and vital components of economic activity.

    Batswanas development will be sustainable, and will take account of the preservation of the

    environment and renewable resources. Incomes in Botswana will have been raised closer to those in

    developed nations. All Batswana. male and female will have the opportunity of paid employment, access

    to good quality housing, as well as increased resource ownership.

    By the year 2016, Botswana will be a compassionate and caring nation. Income will be distributed

    equitably. Poverty will have been eradicated, and there will be an efficient social safety net for those

    who suffer misfortune. All Batswana will have access to good quality health services, sanitation and

    nutrition. The negative impact of the AIDS epidemic in Botswana will have been halted and reversed.

    By the year 2016, Botswana will be a safe and secure nation. Violent crime will have been eliminated,

    and there will be full protection of individual rights. Batswana will have confidence in law enforcement

    agencies, and standards of road safety will be high. The people and borders of Botswana will be

    protected by a small, disciplined and accountable national defense force.

    By the year 2016, Botswana will be an open, democratic and accountable nation. There will be a system

    of decentralized democracy and political tolerance. Civil society will play a full part in the development

    of the country, alongside government. The nations leaders will be open and accountable to the

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    people. The role of traditional leaders will have been enhanced. Freedom of expression as well as press

    freedom will be fully protected.

    By the year 2016, Botswana will be a moral and tolerant nation. There will be high standards of personal

    morality, and tolerant social attitudes towards people of different cultures, ethnic traditions, religions or

    disabilities.

    By the year 2016, Botswana will be a united and proud nation, sharing common ideals, goals and

    symbols. Society will be under-pinned by resilient family values with a strong sense of tradition and

    pride in its history.

    Review of Current OVC Supports

    In a 2004 comprehensive review of literature about OVC interventions in Botswana,

    Zimbabwe and South Africa, the author indicated that among the important lessons learned is that the

    principle interventions should be home based and community supported. The proposed project

    embodies this model of service. (Anna Strebel, The Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of

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    Interventions for the Care of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe,

    HSRC Publishers, 2004).

    Implications of Vision for Services

    The large and growing population of OVC epitomizes Botswana's need to develop a

    national strategy and infrastructure for providing services to its citizens. With over 30,000

    OVC already identified, many of the key concepts of Vision 2016 are already challenged.

    The population of OVC presents significant learning problems due to their high incidence of mental

    health and developmental issues. In order to allow the OVC to become part of an educated, informed

    nation, these issues must be addressed.

    Unless the problems of the OVC are successfully resolved, a substantial portion of this population is

    at risk for being unable to contribute to a prosperous, productive and innovative nation. Instead, they

    may become a permanent fiscal burden to the nation.

    In order to be a compassionate and caring nation, Botswana will require an effective national

    infrastructure for addressing the needs of its vulnerable citizens.

    In order to achieve an open, democratic and accountable nation, Botswana's infrastructure will

    require the development of a science-based oversight system so that the scope and effectiveness of

    national services can be objectively measured.

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    Many of the OVC are currently presenting forms of disability. A moral and tolerant nation must

    address the needs of such individuals in a manner that reflects national policy.

    For those OVC who have lost their families, the achievement of resilient family values and a strong

    sense of tradition and pride will require significant intervention.

    Impact of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic

    General Population Projections

    According to recent government estimates, the population of Botswana is estimated to be about

    1,640,000. The current average life expectancy is about 34 years, and the yearly mortality rate exceeds

    the birth rate by about 9 people per 1,000, or almost a 15,000 person loss per year.

    OVC Population Projections

    At the same time that the general population is declining in Botswana, it is also getting

    younger. Children under 14 years constitute almost 40% of the general population, and

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    the OVC represent a quickly growing portion of this child population. Similarly, the

    population of elders and mature adults who can guide and teach the youth is declining.

    According to a report from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent

    Societies report entitled Southern Africa Regional Programmes and National Society

    Capacity Building: Federation Secretariats support strategy 2006-2007, serious gaps

    in psychological and social support have been identified in Botswana. The Botswana

    Red Cross society provided the following statistics:

    The incidence of developmental and behavioral disabilities appears to be growing,

    and the cultural integrity and values of the youth are at increased risk.

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    PROJECTION:

    Number of children who have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS

    A Nation in Grief

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    The adult prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS is reported to be about 37%, with over 350,000 adults living with

    HIV/AIDS. Few individuals in Botswana have not been directly affected by this devastation. The entire

    nation is in grief; the very teachers and social service professionals who must help the OVC to deal with

    loss, grief and depression must also cope with their own and that of their family members.

    Implications for Staffing of Services

    Any national program to assist the OVC will require that the staff members who implement the programalso receive a program of support for their grieving. Since the population to be served is quite large,

    recruitment and training will be a major requirement.

    Implications for Service Models

    The number of mature and trained professionals in Botswana who are available now to address the

    service needs of the OVC is inadequate. A massive training effort will need to be initiated in order to

    implement a comprehensive service model, preferably in coordination with a Botswana University.

    Substantial outside assistance may be needed in the early stages, but should be faded as Botswana's

    capacity and expertise develops. Any new cost effective service model will need to be culturally

    efficient, in that it will use existing structure and resources to reach the OVC whenever possible.

    Likewise, it must be carefully coordinated with other related national, local and charitable efforts. Part

    of the OVC intervention should be to provide cultural guidance, since the loss of parents can result in

    weak acculturation, a phenomenon that can in turn undermine cognitive development and behavioral

    health. A data-based oversight system will need to be developed in order to track the scope and

    effectiveness of service provision.

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    Programs for OVC

    There are currently a variety of admirable efforts to assist OVC in Botswana that have been published

    These programs appear to focus largely on the development of medical and educational interventions to

    address the specific informational and behavioral issues that underlie the spread of HIV/AIDS. Obviously

    this is a critical component of intervention, and the project we propose would coordinate with and

    extend these efforts. However, few existing projects appear to be aimed at mitigating the

    developmental and mental health impact of the HIV/AIDS crisis.

    Description of Current OVC Supports

    There are OVC projects that are already under way by Ministry of Local Government (MLG), Baylor

    University, Ministry of Health, Hope Worldwide, and others. Research on the findings, concerns and

    accomplishments of existing programs will be important to the development of an implementation plan

    for the project proposed below.

    The Congressional Research Service (CRS) report for Congress published in February 2005 is particularlyhelpful in illustrating the problem that this new project is designed to address. That report points out

    that the psychological and psychosocial impact of the HIV//AIDS epidemic is often overlooked and is

    able to cite only three relatively small projects that exist to address these issues, one of which is in

    Zimbabwe.

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    Each of these programs reflects the humane mission, vision and dedication of the participating

    organizations and individuals involved. However, they are relatively small in scope and do not contribute

    to the kind of service infrastructure implied in Botswana's National Vision 2016.

    The CRS report also cites the serious negative impact on school performance of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

    It is likely that this observation of impaired academic performance reflects a growing incidence of

    factors such as developmental disability and mental illness in the OVC population.

    Scope & Impact of Current Programs

    Current projects and programs appear to be rather small in comparison to the scope of the psychosocial

    problems faced by OVC. For instance, the Botswana-Baylor Childrens

    Clinical Center for Excellence is recognized for its state-of-the-art collaborative work. It is reported to

    serve 1,200 HIV/AIDS infected children and over 200 families. This is a substantial achievement, but it

    still represents only a small fraction of the rapidly growing OVC population.

    While it is clear that many people are already being helped by existing programs, it is equally evident

    that current efforts are too few, too small, and too uncoordinated to address the service needs of the

    full OVC population in Botswana.

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    Summary of Needs

    Assessment & Screening of OVC

    Botswana needs to assess its population of OVC for developmental and mental health problems. No

    scientific analysis is available concerning the status and specific service needs of the OVC population.

    Existing scientific literature predicts an elevated level of developmental and mental health problems for

    such a population, and reports from educators and other professionals in Botswana appear to confirmthis. It is likely that the unspecified high rates of school performance problems reflect those students

    who already show fairly serious impairment. Those who show only mild impairment at this point in time

    may be less visible, but they are also at risk for progressively serious problems.

    The proposed pilot project will assess the developmental and mental health status of OVC in Botswana

    in a scientific manner. Such a project will clarify the scope and nature of service needs for the larger OVC

    population, and it will promote the cost-effective development of a service system that matches the

    nature and scope of this national crisis. Once in place, such a social service system could also provide the

    nation of Botswana with an infrastructure for addressing future challenges

    Development & Implementation of Services & Supports

    Botswana needs to initiate the development of a cost-effective and culturally competent social service

    infrastructure. Early intervention and support for individuals who exhibit developmental and mental

    health problems have been shown to be more effective and efficient than later intervention. If not

    addressed in an adequate and timely manner, developmental and mental health problems of OVC could

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    permanently rob Botswana of thousands of potentially productive citizens and burden the nation with a

    growing population of citizens who require life-long support and assistance. Small charitable programs

    and projects that rely mostly on volunteers are helpful, but the scope of the problem requires a national

    level infrastructure for coordination and oversight of services.

    The in-home and community service model proposed for this project constitutes a logical and flexible

    service approach for OVC who are living in home settings. This approach is now widely used in the U.S.,

    and it has proven to be a cost-effective model. The proposed project will pilot the provision of services

    in the areas of mental health, development, and wellness. It will then adjust and fine tune those services

    so that they can be used as models for expansion into services for the full OVC population.

    Staff Training, Development & Support

    A training program is needed to prepare a team of professionals and paraprofessionals in Botswana for

    implementation of the pilot study. Ideally an international team can work with a local university to

    establish a training Institute or Center that can then help to train a cadre of young professionals in the

    service models developed for the pilot.

    Part of the role of this Institute will be to establish a program model for supporting staff and families

    who care for OVC, particularly with regard to loss and grieving. Professors and students could also serve

    an important role in developing local norms for assessment instruments and providing research, based

    on the substantial data that will be generated by the service system.

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    Oversight & Evaluation of Systems

    A comprehensive oversight system is needed in order to provide leaders with the tools they need for

    making sound and cost effective decisions about services. The pilot project will include development of a

    database oversight system, which can be expanded to provide ongoing oversight and evaluation of the

    entire OVC service system.

    Scope & Structure for Intervention

    The pilot project targets 300 OVC. It is designed primarily to yield information about the status and

    service needs of the larger OVC population. However, as the project is implemented, it will also pilot and

    refine assessment procedures, service delivery models, staff training and support programs, and a

    database oversight system. Everything that is learned and developed during the pilot project will be

    used to help launch a national level service system that can address the needs of all OVC. Thus while the

    initial scope and structure is relatively small, it is designed to lay the foundation needed to expand thescope of service delivery from 300 OVC to 30,000 OVC in a matter of two to three years.

    Required Supports for the Intervention

    While the initial project is modest, the intended impact is broad and ambitious. Of utmost importance to

    the success of this project is the coordinated support and sustained effort of Batswana leadership.

    Active cooperation from all who directly or indirectly support OVC will need to come together in

    common purpose. Likewise, it is anticipated that both the pilot project team and the service delivery

    teams will need to work closely with schools, clinics and other existing structures and resources in order

    to implement culturally integrated and cost-effective service models. An international team of experts

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    will work collaboratively with leadership in Botswana to design, conduct and evaluate the pilot project

    and to design the service models and infrastructure needed for expansion. At that point, it is anticipated

    that Botswana will be prepared to take the active lead, and the role of the international team will fade

    to one of ongoing support, collaborative oversight, and program evaluation.

    Funding: From Charity to Autonomy

    The funding source for the pilot project will need to be determined. However, the cost of the pilotprogram will be at or below $5 million and the actual source for funding will likely come from a variety

    of sources.

    However, it is critical that sustainable funding be identified early in the process. This will be necessary

    both to ensure continuity of service for the 300 OVC in the project, as well as to facilitate a smooth

    expansion of services to the broader OVC population. It is anticipated that as early in the process as

    possible, the Government of Botswana will take on the responsibility of providing the majority of

    funding for of this project. This achieves the goal of autonomy in providing competent and

    compassionate services.

    Purpose of the Pilot Project

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    Towards a National Vision

    This project complies with Vision 2016 National Vision in many ways, including the following:

    1. This project meets one of the objectives of national development, Social Justice, by developing

    services for those who are most in need.

    2. As health and HIV/AIDS have become key issues for Botswana to deal with, the creation of a safety

    net to support those who are vulnerable is a crucial task. This project will address those issues by

    targeting orphans who are at serious risk for learning disability.

    3. Other goals of for the project will include reducing the rate of infection for future generations of

    children, improving health practices of children in our programs, providing cultural activities that that

    foster respect for the natal culture for orphans who have been distanced from their own family

    traditions due to loss of family and tribal structures.

    4. It will enhance the role of women by developing rites of passage programs that target little girls in

    a manner to increase their self esteem and self development. It will further the goals set in vision 2016

    concerning the policy on women by partnering with a private company that is owned by a woman who

    is a citizen of Botswana.

    Perspectives

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    Vulnerable Children and their Caretakers

    In as much as the goal of this project is to develop and implement services that meet the needs of OVC,

    it will be very important to assess the needs from the perspective of the children and the families who

    care for them. This is a critical component to the development of culturally competent services.

    Current Professionals and Staff

    Professionals and staff who are already working with OVC are the best source of information about the

    strengths and weaknesses in their service systems where OVC are concerned. Their perspective is critical

    to the development and integration of new services in order to avoid redundancy and waste and to

    integrate the new services smoothly, effectively and efficiently with existing systems and resources.

    Government and Taxpayers

    As discussed above, funding of new services to the OVC will need to be sustained for some time to

    come. In a democracy, it is ultimately up to the citizens/taxpayers and their representative government

    to determine spending priorities. The proposed pilot project will assist decision makers by providing

    objective data about the status and service needs of OVC, the effectiveness of services, and the costs

    that are involved.

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    Timeframes for Implementation

    The unresolved service needs of OVC constitute a pressing problem, and delays in the development of

    such services are costly in ways that are difficult to measure. It is recommended that the pilot project be

    initiated as soon as possible, so that the status of OVC and their unmet service needs can be clarified

    and addressed.

    The Pilot Project

    It is anticipated that the pilot project will last as little as 12 months and no more than 18 months. It will

    be helpful to coordinate initial implementation of this project with the school year cycle. In order to

    accomplish this, recruitment, training and set-up will need to precede implementation by about three

    months.

    Long Term Structure

    It is anticipated that recruitment, training and set-up for expansion of the project should begin about six

    months into the pilot program. This will allow for assessment data to be analyzed and service models to

    be refined.

    Budget Timelines

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    As soon as sources of funding can be clarified, budget cycles for those sources will guide the timing of

    initiation of the project. The success of any project that is formulated to lead to long term structural

    change, continuity of funding and service is essential to successful implementation.

    For Those In Need's Strategic Approach:

    Project Mission & Goals

    Project Mission Statement

    For Those In Need, Inc. is dedicated to promoting the human rights and welfare of orphans and

    vulnerable children who have special needs.

    Values Statement

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    For Those In Need, Inc. is a strength-based agency that is dedicated to the utilization of holistic

    treatment in children and adults with special needs who may also be confronting emotional, physical,

    financial, and spiritual distress. To this end:

    We believe in the power of healing.

    We believe in the power of family preservation, the power of the African extended family and the

    importance of maintaining the natal culture of families and communities that care for children with

    special needs.

    We believe that each individual consists of mind, body, and soul. We also believe that the

    implementation of holistic treatment is vital if we seek to assist each individual in becoming empowered

    to effectively strengthen his/her spiritual harmony and promote inner psychological cohesion.

    We believe that the practical and spiritual education of children with special needs should be

    dynamic as well as catalytic in the healing process.

    We believe that behaviors can change and psychological traumas especially from the loss of a parent

    can be healed given an adequate amount of time, effective treatment plan, consistent follow-up, and

    proper clinical supervision.

    Vision Statement

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    For Those In Need, Inc, holds as fundamental the notion that by joining together as one, people with

    different talents and from different cultural backgrounds can bring the gift of love to help individuals

    and families heal themselves. To this end, For Those in Need, Inc. plans to phase in the following

    services to the citizens of Botswana:

    1. Provide in home services with high levels of accountability and quality, which will be offered to all

    OVC, who are in need of psychiatric/behavioral services and their families without exception.

    2. Commit to using proactive, holistic, clinically proven and practical approaches to supporting families.

    3. Provide the following services:

    - Assistive Technology equipment that provides support and training for persons with developmental

    disabilities who can benefit from those support services;

    - A total sensory wellness center (similar to the Snoezelen Room model) that provides a therapeutic

    environment offering sensory stimulation and relaxation to persons with autism and other sensory

    deficits who could benefit from this kind of healing environment;

    - Access to an animal petting program in Botswana where children could volunteer and who could be

    trained to assist the care taker staff as a part of an off site vocational program.

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    Project Goals & Objectives

    Goal 1: To Reduce the Stigmas & Stereotypes facing

    Children with Special Needs & Who are Orphans

    Objectives:

    a. Promote community acceptance and inclusion for children with special needs and provide more

    choices for persons with ID/DD regarding where he or she wishes to live.

    b. Maintain active and open communication with family members and other natural supports of the

    person receiving services so as to further promote a successful enculturation into the community as the

    child matures.

    c. Provide clinical, behavioral and psycho-social support services for individuals with special needs and

    children with intellectual disabilities who may have other co-occurring medical, physical, or mental

    health conditions that compromise community placement and inclusion.

    Goal 2: Maintain Ongoing Communication with the Office on Orphans & Vulnerable Children

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    Objectives:

    a. Conduct scheduled and unscheduled visits in the field by professional team members to ensure

    effective internal oversight of services and supports.

    b. Conduct regular meetings with Case Management staff to facilitate open communication and give and

    receive feedback on client progress and service provision in the homes of the orphans.

    c. Provide regular written reports on client progress and ISP goals that include updates on medications,

    medical appointments and visits, mental health status, leisure activities, visits with family and naturalsupports, religious activities and church attendance as relevant for the individual and progress made on

    treatment plan goals as appropriate.

    d. Conduct a service survey on a quarterly basis with family members and CM staff to determine

    progress made by staff to provide positive clinical interventions for the consumer being served.

    Goal 3: Enhance Staff Expertise

    Objectives:

    a. Provide initial one week training, prior to working with orphan in home,

    b. Ensure that all home settings are clean, safe and appropriately maintained, and that all staff members

    are fully versed in universal precautions, food safety, CPR/First Aid, and non-aversive crisis

    management, and risk management planning.

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    c. Ensure that all crisis stabilization staff members have been intensively trained in developmental

    disability and mental health issues before being authorized to provide services to children in the

    community.

    d. Ensure that in-home staff members are fully trained on the emergency/risk management plan for the

    individual prior to beginning work with children.

    e. Conduct, at minimum, weekly one hour team meetings with staff providing ongoing clinical

    supervision to address pertinent client issues as they arise.

    f. Conduct quarterly 4-hour training with behavioral consultants and experts in the intellectual and

    developmental disability fields offered in conjunction with the NatureCare Wellness Centre to assist

    staff in further developing skills in Case Management for the areas of development, nutrition, wellness

    self esteem, healthy lifestyles etc.

    g. Provide psychiatric, behavioral, physical and medical consultation to staff and OVC being served, as

    needed.

    Agency Background & Resources

    Founder: E. Geronimo Robinson

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    Mr. Robinson is a Harvard University trained educator and clinician who has managed mental health

    agencies and residential programs for various local and municipal localities

    in the Washington DC metro area for the past 25 years. In his last government position,

    Mr. Robinson served as Director of the City of Alexandria Residential Programs. For 3 years, Geronimo

    Robinson directed the residential programs for the City of Alexandria composed of adults with serious

    mental illnesses, developmental disabilities including intellectual disabilities (mental retardation) and

    substance abuse disorders. As a City of Alexandria government employee, he was responsible for

    managing 66 residential programs and managed an $11 million budget.

    In addition to serving as president and founder of Issac & Imani Inc., Mr. Robinson also co-owns two

    other companies. One company Mr. Robinson co-owns is a mental health agency called

    Someone Cares Counseling Services, based in Southeastern Georgia. This company serves children and

    adolescents with mental health and substance abuse issues and provides in - home clinical services to

    individuals in 31 counties in the southeastern region of that state. Mr. Robinson is also a principal

    investor with Total Sensory Wellness Inc., a Spa and Wellness Center based in Waldorf, Maryland.

    Issac and Imani Inc.s main goal is to create and manage programs that serve children and adults with

    special needs both in the US and developing countries. One objective of For Those In Need, Inc. will be

    to assist Southern African countries in making infrastructure changes to their social service delivery

    systems that will rehabilitate and serve OVC in underserved communities without over-burdening their

    fiscal integrity.

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    Mr. Robinson has authored several articles in the disabilities field and served for 8 years as a consulting

    editor for Mental Retardation, one of the two more highly regarded disability journals in the US and

    Europe. Mr. Robinson has had his articles republished in the Maisons des Sciences de LHomme, Le Portal

    du Reseau in 2005, and the Disability Studies Quarterly published by the Society for Disability Studies inthe spring of 2003. One of his articles was also included in a list of Bibliographies on the Cultural Aspects

    of Disability, published by the Samuel Gridley Howe Library.

    Mr. Robinson has spoken at numerous conferences in the US and abroad and has lead delegations of US

    elected officials and scholars to speak at international conferences in the Middle East and the South of

    France. In April 2000, Mr. Robinson was the keynote speaker at the Cypriot Association on Special

    Education International Conference in Nicosia, Cyprus. The delegation that accompanied Mr. Robinson

    conducted workshops and trainings for 2 days at the University of Cyprus and were the first Americans

    invited to lecture at this CASE Conference in the Middle East. In June 2001, Mr. Robinson was a keynote

    speaker at the National Mental Health Association Conference in Washington, DC.

    Mr. Robinson served as peer reviewer for 2 years with the National Institute on Disability and

    Rehabilitation Research and participated in a planning process to create a Long Range Plan under taken

    by NIDRR in 1995 to meet the needs of the disability community and advance scientific knowledge in the

    US. From 2003 to 2005, Mr. Robinson served as a member of the Northern Virginia Regional Partnership

    Planning Project MR/MI Workgroup.

    Mr. Robinson received an undergraduate degree in classical music from the University of Virginia, a

    masters degree in special education from the University of Virginia, and a post master's certificate of

    advanced study in education and counseling from Harvard University. While a student at the Harvard

    Graduate School of Education, Mr. Robinson served as Interim President of the Black Student Union and

    also served as Vice President of the Student Association Committee for one year. Mr. Robinson was

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    invited to speak twice between 1994 and 1997 at the Harvard Club, headquartered at the National Press

    Club Building in Washington, DC. Mr. Robinson discussed his career as a leader in the disabilities field

    and an advocate for children and families from underserved communities. In the spring of 2001, Mr.

    Robinson hosted a Harvard Career Day in collaboration with the United Negro College fund and several

    mental health and social service agencies representing various Northern Virginia and Maryland

    suburban jurisdictions. Students who had recently graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of

    Education in the mental health field were recruited by MH agencies that were attempting to fill various

    entry level positions.

    OVC Advisory Board

    The OVC Advisory Board will provide expertise and consultation to ensure that the project meets best

    practice standards as it assists Botswana in formulating services that are consistent with its Vision

    2016. The following individuals have already committed to assisting with the project:

    Sheryl White-Scott MD, FACP

    Director, St. Charles Developmental

    Disabilities Program

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    Member, The Presidents Committee

    on Mental Retardation

    The Honorable Rosalyn R. Dance

    Delegate for the 63rd District,

    Member of the Virginia House of Delegates

    Former Mayor, Petersburg, Virginia

    Former Director, Central Virginia Training Center

    Dr. Steven J. Taylor

    Chief Editor, Mental Retardation

    Director of Center on Human Policy,

    Syracuse University

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    Julius Gaillard

    Former Executive Director,

    Golden Gate Regional Center,

    City of San Francisco, CA

    Serving Marin, San Mateo

    & San Francisco Counties

    Dr. Helen Phtiaka

    Chair, Department of Special Education

    University of Cyprus, Nicosia Cyprus

    President, Cypriot Association for

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    Special Education

    Rev. Dr. Cecil Gray

    Professor & Pastor, Northwood Appold United Methodist Church

    Creator, Rites of Passage Program

    Dean J. Bonney

    Chair, Arlington Community Services Board, First Vice-Chairman of the VACSB (Virginia Association of

    Community Services Boards)

    Board member of the Assistive

    Technology Loan Fund Authority

    (Appointed by Virginia Governor Mark Warner)

    Arlington, Virginia

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    Richard Smith

    Former Executive Director,

    The Denver Public School System

    Denver, Colorado

    Terry Bohrer

    Former Director,

    The Core Services Agency,

    Prince Georges County, Maryland

    Cheryl Whiting Wright

    CEO, Rite Star Inc.

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    Julius Williams

    Former Director,

    Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment,

    The Department of Veteran Affairs,

    The United States of America

    Consultants

    George N. Rathbone

    Former Clinical Services Director and Chief of Quality Assurance at the Mental Retardation &

    Developmental Disabilities Administration, a $60 million agency serving individuals with disabilities. Mr.

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    Rathbone has more than 25 years of experience as a manager, supervisor, teacher and clinician in the

    fields of disability, development, learning and behavior. He has published in national and international

    professional journals, and he currently serves as adjunct psychology professor at The Corcoran School of

    Art and Design in Washington DC.

    Melissa Grow

    Quality Assurance Specialist

    The City of Alexandria Department of Mental Health,

    Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services

    3.3 Strategies: Towards Cultural Competence

    Cultural competence may be best defined as a combination of sensitivity, attitudes, skills and knowledge

    which allows an individual or system to establish and maintain productive relationships with members

    of a different ethnic group or culture. However, it is important to note that there is a vast array of

    cultural factors that make it very difficult to accurately apply knowledge about a given ethnic group to

    individuals within that group. Socio-economic status and background, religious affiliation, citizenship

    status, education, language, generational affiliation, recognition of minority status, and the traditions,

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    values and beliefs of the family of origin are among the dozens of factors which make it difficult to

    generalize from group knowledge to the individual. While knowledge and understanding of cultural

    background helps the service provider to identify and reduce barriers to service and to gain an

    understanding of the context of the individuals development and functioning, individuals from each

    culture still vary widely in their awareness and understanding of and their responses to that context.

    Thus For Those In Need recognizes that the processes of assessment, outreach and service provision for

    OVC in Botswana must be formulated in an individual or person-centered manner to be fully sensitive to

    cultural factors (Dean, A.V. et al, 1993).

    Service providers working on behalf of For Those In Need, Inc. working in a multi ethnic environment

    such as the Republic of Botswana need to recognize the critical role of cultural competence in workingwith individuals and families that are from an ethnic group other than their own (Dodd et al, 1991;

    Carter, 1995, Hardy & Laszloffy, 1992). All staff hired by For Those In Need Inc. will make every effort to

    ensure that practical concepts and strategies are identified and used that will help in facilitating the

    development of culturally competent practices of service provision.

    Partnering with Local Organizations

    Botswana citizens will take over several key sections of the proposal including:

    NatureCare Wellness Centre

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    NatureCare Wellness Centre is a 100% citizen owned company, which focuses

    at a holistic approach to health. Established in 1998 in quest to empower Batswana

    to perform at their peak physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually at work

    and elsewhere.

    Research Assistants

    Research Assistants will be recruited and hired who are members of the local academic

    communities in Gabarone and other areas of the country. This will ensure that assessment

    tools and clinical protocols created by For Those In Need, Inc. have input from Motswana clinicians

    who have knowledge of local cultural norms. This input will be crucial in evaluating

    longitudinal changes in adaptive behaviors of OVC, the relevancy of western empirical

    qualitative studies and give feedback on the success of treatment plans and clinical

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    interventions for OVC in underserved communities.

    Local University System

    Partnerships will be sought, with the local university system, to create an institute within

    the local university academic community to train local social service staff who would

    then be able to take over all functions of the For Those In Need OVC project including:

    Doing assessments and screening including medical assessments,

    Performing Case Management duties to track and follow document the progress on

    the health status, utilization patterns and outcomes measures for all 60,000 OVC

    in Botswana.

    Perform PRP in home clinical support services for each OVC and his/her

    extended family

    Health and wellness training for all OVC.

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    Integrating with Existing Systems

    For Those In Need, Inc., will be working in Partnership with NatureCare Wellness Centre, A Health and

    Wellness

    Company in Botswana owned by a Botswana business person. Also, For Those In Need, Inc. will

    collaborate

    with the Department of Social Services in Botswana, who will provide Case Management

    and Social Service staff who will be trained by For Those In Need, Inc. to deliver these services to the

    OVC and will provide services in conjunction with the Ministry of Education.

    Development of Training & Support Structures

    Staff Support & Development Team

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    This team consists of managers of the other teams led by a project consultant, and it

    focuses on the support and development needs of the staff that will implement this

    project. This is seen as a critical component for any staff that is itself facing personal

    challenges with respect to illness, loss and grief. Those staff will include one full

    time Staff Development Coordinator and one part time development specialist.

    QA Structure / Ongoing Research & Development

    Research assistants will conduct the following tasks:

    All data collected through assessment and screening will be entered into a database by

    RA s that will allow for tracking and trending of service needs and interventions at both

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    individual and systemic levels. Comparative review of data over time, along with a

    formal survey process will be used to evaluate the impact of the project on the

    delivery of services and supports.

    Initiatives Short Term

    In-home Psycho-Social Model

    Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program (PRP) Model

    Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program (PRP) Team

    Composition of team:

    Program Manager, Admin. Assistant, PRP FCP Workers

    Role: To provide in home psychosocial supports and habilitation training for all youth identified as

    having special learning needs or behavioral supports.

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    1.) Intensive In-Home Treatment Services: This service offers an intensive, home based service for

    children and adults. This service is utilized to resolve major discord within the family dynamics. In this

    case, the discord is a result of trauma experienced by the child as a result of losing 2 parents who died

    because of Aids. The extended family is also experiencing trauma due to the loss of the relative as well

    as are trying to cope with the economic stress of taking in an additional child to feed because of the loss

    of parents. The goals are to support and try to provide family preservation as needed.

    2.) Crisis Intervention Treatment: This service provides a treatment plan that provides adequate support

    to the individual and family along with practical or spiritual education to intervene during periods of

    disruption within the home the orphan is living in when behavioral problems occur as a consequence of

    trauma experienced by the orphan.

    3.) Family Assessments: Family Assessments will be conducted at each home to give the PRP worker a

    full picture of who in the home provides support to the orphan so that assessment tools are utilized to

    examine the family dynamics and to assist in making the appropriate recommendations to aid the family

    in coping with the loss of the parents.

    4.) Home Evaluation: An extensive evaluation of the family home will be conducted to promote the

    safety issues that are mandatory for the childs protection.

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    5.) Parent Aide: This service increases parental knowledge through education and the utilization of

    assessment tools that are chosen to empower parents and or care takers of the orphans.

    6.) Case Management: Services provide transportation and family preservation as the vendor prescribes

    in the referral.

    The role of the in home PRP staff will include but not be limited to:

    Providing direct therapeutic intervention to both the youth and the family

    Coaching, role-modeling and role-playing

    Concentrating on building individual skills and family strengths

    Providing formal and informal linkages to health and wellness trainings for all OVC in these programs

    as well as providing ongoing case management and data collection on each OVC to track progress madeon treatment goals and objectives

    PRP staff will receive ongoing clinical supervision and training on psychiatric rehabilitation and goal

    oriented family group and individual therapy.

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    Developmental Intervention

    Most standardized assessment instruments used by social service disciplines are not standardized on

    vulnerable children in Botswana. Caution must be exercised in administration, scoring and

    interpretation of any such instruments, for the risks associated with mis-measurement can be

    substantial.

    Initially the experiences and reports of the children, the people who care for them, and the

    professionals who work with them may be the most valid and reliable source of data.

    Until local norms can be developed for standardized assessment tools, such tools will be supplemented

    with formal observations, interviews, surveys, and/or other qualitative measures.

    For this project, each child initially will be medically screened and assessed with an adaptive behavior

    scale that will be purchased in bulk and brought with the team to Botswana. The instrument that our

    team will use will yield assessment of status in functional areas including:

    Independent Functioning, Physical Development, Economic Activity, Language

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    Development, Numbers and Time, Prevocational/Vocational Activity, Self-Direction,

    Responsibility, and Socialization. It will also assesses behavioral functioning and identify

    areas of possible developmental delay.

    Based on the initial screening, a determination will be made for each child as to whether a more in

    depth assessment is warranted, and in which disciplines.

    Existing service related resources will be identified, personnel will be recruited and trained, and new

    resources will be developed to address critical concerns and national priorities for all OVC in all

    identified areas of need, including:

    Health & Wellness

    Adaptive Skills

    Social Development

    Activities of Daily Living

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    Emotional/behavioral Functioning

    Cognitive and Academic Development

    Wellness Model

    Health & Wellness Team

    Composition of team: Program Director of NatureCare Wellness Centre

    Two program assistants

    A Team of Botswana Based Physicians who will oversee the medical screening and

    referral process for each child enrolled in the program.

    Role:

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    Medical screening and referral, assessment and development of needed services, referral to allied

    health practitioners, health and wellness education, development and oversight of health and wellness

    services and wellness curricula for the children that will be served.

    NATURECARE WELLNESS CENTRE is a 100% citizen owned company, which focuses at a holistic approach

    to health. It was established in 1998 in a quest to empower Batswana to perform at their peakphysically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually at work and elsewhere.

    NatureCare offers a wide range of services, among others Training of Peer Educators, Counselors,

    Wellness Consultancy, designs workshops and Trainings to promote a holistic approach to health -

    Wellness.

    In our view, Wellness is not just the absence of disease; it is also a state of mind, it encompasses totality

    of a being the body, the mind and the soul. The approach is quite transformational as it develops

    and promotes paradigm shifts in self-management, self-responsibility and self-actualization.

    NatureCare has designed and facilitated a number of workshops for traumatized youth offering them

    emotional healing and psycho social support.

    Mental and Emotional Wellness is one of NatureCares strong points, designing and offering

    corporate and public seminars on Behaviour Change, Stress Management, Emotional Healing,

    Healing the wounded Healer to name but a few.

    In June 04 2004, NatureCare coordinated a successful Wellness Seminar (targeting Permanent

    Secretaries, CEOs, Directors, Improvement Coordinating Officers, Human Resources, AIDS Coordinators

    etc) on The Benefits of Developing Workplace Wellness Programmes in the Private and Public

    Sectors. Workplace Wellness Programmes are made up of activities that focus on employee health

    promotion, disease prevention, employee satisfaction, happiness and work effectiveness.

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    NatureCare Wellness Centre has a pool of diverse healthcare professionals focusing on championing

    paradigm shifts from conventional thinking and attitudes commonly encountered to pro-activeness. This

    multidisciplinary composition is NatureCares strongest point. It features medical, nutritional,

    psychological, counseling, and life strategy expertise.

    NatureCare has done consultancy and training for the following:

    Training of Peer Educators Air Botswana

    Emotional Healing and Self Love Mabogo Dinku

    Basic Counselling Debswana

    Life skills Mabogo Dinku

    Stress Management in relation to HIV/AIDS DPSM

    Stress Management in relation to HIV/AIDS Ministry of Mineral Energy and Water Resources

    Personal Transformation Botswana Development Corporation

    Workshop on Holistic approach to HIV/AIDS Ministry of Education, Department of Career Guidance

    and Counseling

    Training on Peer Education and Wellness Debswana Jwaneng Mine

    Basic Counseling Course Ministry of Agriculture Senior Managers

    HIV and Wellness Debswana Orapa mine

    Wellness and Productivity Debwana Jwaneng Mine

    Peer Education Office of the Ombudsman

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    HIV and Wellness Impala Platinum Mine

    Peer Education National Development Bank

    Stress Management and Personal Transformation For Senior Managers Debswana Jwaneng Mine

    Wellness at the workplace Office of the Ombudsman

    Wellness and Productivity Dept. of Water Affairs

    Wellness Peer Educators BEDIA

    Wellness and HIV/AIDS NACA

    Positive Mental Attitude Metropolitan Botswana

    Sally Pillar's Profile:

    Ms. Pillar is a Holistic Healer, trained as a Nutritional Therapist and a trainer on achieving PositiveMental Attitude/Counselor in Oxford, England and Cape Town, South Africa. She conscientises people on

    health issues and motivates them to achieve total wellness, especially on the mind and body connection.

    She also promotes informed positive thinking and practical solutions by all societal sectors in dealing

    with HIV and AIDS, other life threatening diseases, trauma, rape and grief.

    Ms. Pillar is a certified trainer on the art of "Self Healing" a psychological therapy which empowers

    individuals to take charge of their lives and to derive spiritual growth from personal traumas through

    proactive action and through creating a positive outlook.

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    She shares sentiments that a lot of people's mental and physical problems stem from psychological and

    mental abuse, real or imagined at different stages of childhood. She specialized on "Healing the Inner

    Child", which enables her to work with people who had traumatic childhoods, providing for them

    stepping- stones as a pathway to self discovery. It is a subject Ms. Pillar is very passionate about havinghad a difficult childhood herself. After healing her life, she was eager to heal those still with stifled

    creativity due to negative life experiences. She is qualified as a teacher in "Paradigm Trainings"

    specializing with teaching children with abusive backgrounds.

    As a nutritionist, Ms. Pillar's objective is to show the relationship between nutrition and health. Within

    that she also wishes to reveal the high cost of poor nutrition on individuals' health and on the treasury

    of companies. This objective is served well by her formal education in food and nutrition, in nutritional

    therapy, by her professional experience as the catering manager of Botswana Diamond Valuing

    Company (1985 - 1990). It is also enhanced by her work as managing director of NatureCare Marketing

    Pty Ltd, a company which concerns itself with adjunctive curative and preventive life components such

    as inner body detoxification, and optimal health and diet.

    In October 1999, Ms. Pillar coordinated the 1st National Conference on HIV and Nutrition with her

    company NatureCare being the main sponsor.

    Ms. Pillar was instrumental in designing an immune boosting sorghum-based precooked cereal which isnow being consumed in some Botswana government institutions. Efforts are underway to have this

    precooked cereal prescribed for immune compromised people in Botswana.

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    Finally, Ms. Pillar's altruism comes through clearly in her program "Mind, Body and Soul" which airs

    weekly on Radio Botswana 2. This program tackles physical, mental and spiritual health issues and

    provides a valuable information source for the general listener who would otherwise be uninformed on

    the relevant and specific issues. Her future aim is to promote the use of local and home-grown food

    products for enhanced wellness in Botswana. She also wishes to continue addressing different forums

    on health related issues, and to train Home Based Care trainers throughout the country on nutrition and

    hygiene. Her expertise will also be highly valued and utilized by the newly formed Tsa Botsogo Total

    Wellness group where she will serve as a workshop moderator and marketing manager. This group's

    major concern is to team up with BONEPWA and its support groups to provide a healthier, more

    responsible, more proactive and fuller life for PLWA in Botswana. Their methods will be the impartation

    of education on different PLWA related issues and teaching self-responsibility as the ultimate curb to the

    spread of HIV and its complications.

    CONTACT INFORMATION: telephone: 3900145 / 900623

    mobile : 72559680

    email : [email protected]

    PILOT PROJECT

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    The pilot project will focus on 300 to 600 orphans who are between the ages of 6 and

    18 and who are attending school. This should include a subset of at least 100 children who have also

    been identified by the school system as having special learning needs or behavioral concerns or other

    evidence of disability. The pilot is expected to be completed within 12 18 months.

    The pilot project is viewed as essential to establishing a scientific and practical foundation upon which to

    build the broader infrastructure of services to all OVC. It will provide the decision makers with valid data

    that can be extrapolated to the broader population to promote sound and effective decisions in the

    allocation and prioritization of services and resources. The pilot program will also lay the groundwork for

    a data based oversight system that can be expanded to allow for effective data analysis at an individual,

    local and systems level.

    INITIATIVES Long term

    Extending The Models

    Well before the pilot program is completed, rapid expansion of a workforce trained on appropriate

    assessment and service models will be under way, as will a comprehensive screening of the entire OVC

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    population. The concrete service models derived from the pilot will be extended to the entire OVC

    population. It may prove useful to adapt and extend them also into other special need populations not

    targeted by this program.

    The PRP model can be revised to fit the needs of OVC in other developing countries

    in West and East Africa as well. Many countries in and outside of the African continent

    could benefit from implementing a comprehensive models that addresses the mental

    health and psychosocial needs of children who have been traumatized by the loss of

    both parents due to Aids or war or both.

    Building National Systems:

    Several new or strengthened national systems will result from this project, including:

    A cost effective, culturally tailored national delivery system for psychosocial and Wellness services that

    meets the needs of vulnerable citizens while strengthening the national service sector economy.

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    A national data based oversight system to track and document the progress of the OVC in a manner that

    provides transparency, promotes sound decision-making, yields cost-effective services, and serves as a

    foundation for needed research.

    Practical linkage with the University to create a world-leading Institute or Center that can translate

    academic expertise into practical application as it trains new staff to provide CM services, clinicalassessment, Wellness and PRP services those who will benefit most.

    The identification, assessment and provision of individual support plans (ISPs) for a generation of OVC

    with special needs.

    Specific Partnerships

    As mentioned above, For Those In Need, Inc. will seek to partner with the Botswana Department of

    Social

    Services, the University of Botswana in Gabarone, and NatureCare Wellness Centre, a locally

    owned Health and Wellness Company. For Those In Need, Inc. will also seek to partner and/or

    collaborate with schools, churches and other organizations that are involved with serving the OVC.

    Outcomes

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    For Those In Need Strategic Goals & Performance Measures:

    Goal 1: Assure and maintain level of satisfaction with families served by the OVC project.

    Outcome measure:

    a. Family satisfaction surveys (OVC Questionnaires) will be created during the initial

    phase of the pilot program and distributed to all families receiving services,

    b. OVC Questionnaires will be filled out by 80% of families/caregivers, 90% of

    respondents will indicate that the OVC program has had a positive effect on the family

    and has improved the functioning of the OVC in their household,

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    c. Documentation will be included in each treatment to document participation

    by OVC in creation and implementation of ISP,

    d. Documentation will be included in ISP indicating preferences and participation

    of family in creation and implementation of ISP,

    Goal 2: Screen 100% of the OVC in project, and provide in-depth assessment as needed.

    Outcome measure:

    a. Each OVC identified as needing services will be assessed, given a medical

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    evaluation, given a developmental and mental health assessment to develop

    an individual support plan (ISP) that meets the needs of the individual.

    b. Success of treatment to be determined by 80 % of goals and objectives

    completed on ISP.

    Goal 3: Ensure that all OVC staff members have skills needed for their positions to maintain

    a highly skilled, motivated and adaptable workforce.

    Outcome Measure:

    a. All employees will participate in and complete a 6 week workshop as part of the Institute or

    Center that will be created in collaboration with local Botswana educational institutions.

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    b. Evaluations of training will be conducted through participant feedback.

    :

    Goal 4: Assure cost effectiveness of OVC services.

    Outcome Measure

    a. A comprehensive data-based oversight system will be developed and

    implemented to track, trend and analyze individual and congregate data.

    b. A cost analysis will be preformed for each phase and activity of the project to

    ensure that cost effective measures are implemented and to ensure that financial

    integrity of the project is being maintained.

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    Quality Assurance Goals:

    QA staff will analyze data and publish a report as indicated on the below graph showing:

    Success of completing goals in strategic plan,

    Results of family satisfaction surveys,

    Employee success rate in completing 6 week OVC training program.

    Percentage of OVC requiring different services

    Summary and analysis of all collected data

    Summary and analysis of resources and challenges

    Recommendations to improve services, minimize cost, address barriers, etc.

    National Outcomes Measures:

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    This project requires a sequence of five separate but overlapping phases of activity that will result in the

    following national outcomes:

    Training: The Local Government DSS will be trained by For Those In Need staff to recruit and develop

    training of the project teams, in a manner that results in an infrastructure for staff recruitment and

    training.

    Screening: All OVC will be screened for developmental, mental health and medical concerns, resulting in

    a national model and infrastructure for screening.

    In-Depth Assessment: All pilot participants, and up to 3,000 non-pilot OVC who screen positive for

    developmental, mental health and medical issues will receive in-depth assessment for identified

    concerns within the first 12 -18 months. This will result in a national infrastructure for conducting

    assessment.

    Individual Plans: All individuals identified through in-depth assessment as having unmet needs with

    regard to development, mental health or health concerns will receive individual support plans that

    specify service goals and interventions and track individual progress.

    Model Services: Botswana will develop and implement a services model system within the first year of

    the pilot program that can be used for the reminder of the years of the project before the DSS staff

    assume full responsibility over the main phases of service. This will result in a comprehensive

    infrastructure for providing effective and culturally competent services.

    Oversight: Botswana will develop and monitor a national database for OVC and a model program

    evaluation process. This will be documented in the annual reports and used on an ongoing basis to

    evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

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    Timelines

    Proposed Timelines for Pilot

    MAY

    2006

    JUNE

    2006

    JULY

    2006

    AUGUST

    2006

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    SEPT

    2006

    OCT

    2006

    NOV

    2006

    DEC

    2006

    JAN

    2007

    FEB

    2007

    Solicit Proposals

    Submit Final

    Proposal

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    Award Contract

    Recruitment and Training Phase

    Begin Pilot

    Screening

    MARCH

    2007

    APRIL

    2007

    MAY

    2007

    JUNE

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    2007

    JULY

    2007

    AUG

    2007

    SEPT

    2007

    OCT

    2007

    NOV

    2007

    DEC

    2007

    JAN

    2008

    Screening & Assessment

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    For Pilot

    Establish Service Delivery

    Program Analysis and Refinement

    Program

    Evaluation

    Pilot Project

    Final Report

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    Prepare Data Base &

    Begin data entry

    Establish Data Tracking

    And Analysis

    Set Up Screening for

    All OVC

    Recruitment and Training for

    All OVC project

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    Four Year Timeline

    FEB

    2008

    JAN

    2009

    FEB

    2009

    JAN

    2010

    FEB

    2010

    JAN

    2011

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    FEB

    2011

    JAN

    2012

    FEB

    2012

    Begin

    YEAR 1

    Report

    YEAR 1

    Begin

    YEAR 2

    Report

    YEAR 2

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    Begin

    YEAR 3

    Report

    YEAR 3

    Begin

    YEAR 4

    Report

    YEAR 4

    STAFF PHASE OUT

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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    I would like to thank the following persons for their contribution

    to the creation and development of this proposal:

    George Rathbone co-authored the OVC proposal and did the research necessary to

    make this proposal a clinically astute and policy driven document.

    Sally Pillar provided me with the initial information, scope of the HIV/Aids problem

    in her country and coordinated meetings between myself and key government officials

    in Botswana to make the idea of doing a project of this magnitude a viable one.

    Julius Williams has provided technical support and has acted as a

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    consultant and mentor to me while I tried to figure out the logistical

    details of how to implement a project of this kind.

    Andre Hawkins listened to my vision and then designed the booklet

    form in such a manner as to visualize and highlight the uniqueness

    and special qualities of this proposal.

    Thanks to Cheryl Whiting Wright for helping me conceptualize

    the project and then put it down on paper.

    Thanks to Maya Robinson, my daughter, who is working

    on a website for the OVC proposal.

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    For helping to design a project which has the potential to support thousands

    of orphans in Botswana, I wish each of you peace, blessings and wellness.

    My thanks to everyone involved.

    Mental Retardation Journal

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    Impact of Race, Poverty, and Ethnicity on Services for Persons With Mental Disabilities: Call for Cultural

    Competence E. Geronimo Robinson and George N. ...

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    Author List

    Revue de Sommaires

    Quilomboos, black nationalism, and self-determination for persons with intellectual disabilities: A

    psychohistorical perspective ; E. Geronimo ROBINSON ...in French

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    Cultural Aspects of Disability

    Bibliography