SCORE Annual Review 2016 17-21 October 2016 Venue: Jinja – Nile Resort Alfred Agaba B TA – Family Strengthening

Objective 4: To increase the capacity of vulnerable women and children and their households to access/acquire or provide critical services

Results: Outputs against targets

Results: Outputs Began tracking HCT refferals separately from other referrals in year 5

Results: Outputs

Results: Outputs

Results:

Results: Outputs

Results: Known HIV Status

Results: HIV Reactive & non reactive proportions

Results: Outcomes – VAT

Results: Qualitative collections “Reaching the last mile” series of change stories can now be accessed at www.score.or.ug “Reaching the last mile” series of life skills and parenting skills documentary of 15 minutes can be accessed at www.score.or.ug A qualitative exploration of parents’ perceptions on a Parenting Skills Training Program in Kitgum, Northern Uganda. By Fien Vandendriessche (Ghent University, Belgium)

Life skills evaluation: MUKSWSA Department Study objectives Assess the knowledge of youth on the essential life skills Assess the effect of the training on young people’s behaviour (knowledge, attitudes, and practices) Identify the ‘most significant changes’ in the lives of the youth Identify the promising practices in delivering the training and areas for improvement.

Methodology Coverage: Study conducted in 10 out of 35 SCORE districts Methodology: Comparison of treatment and control groups Sample: 713 youth (349 treatment and 364 control) were involved in the survey. Quantitative and qualitative data collection methods

Study Sample by district No. SCORE Project Region District Treatment Control Total 1 North Amuru 15 21 36   Alebtong 13 16 29 2 South-West Ntungamo 37 39 76 Rukungiri 35 71 3 East Sironko 31 67 Bududa 22 25 47 4 East-Central Luuka 20 19 Buyende 7 14 5 Central Kampala 133 129 262 Buikwe 713

Findings Knowledge on life skills: 78% treatment group identified at least more than one life skill against 13% control group who were able to mention at least one life skill Importance of life skills as defined by youth how to solve problems and communicate with others assertively It can help you control you’re self The skills allow someone to express what is affecting her [him]. This helps her to make decisions in her life.

Impact of life skills: Improvements in various domains Increased resilience - demonstrating knowledge and more positive behaviour in self-care, coping with stress (e.g. seeking psychosocial support from adults at p=0.000 Psychosocial well-being like self-restraint, showing remorse, relationship building and management (treatment 49.27, Control 48.56, diff 0.712, p-value 0.0316) Ability to make decisions in life (significant, p=0.002); Reduction in substance abuse (alcohol) - Majority of youth in the control group thought using drugs was very responsible, very good, very trendy and healthy.

Most Significant Changes Improved character (manners); Better communication skills Improved relationships between youth and their parents/caregivers and other family members Reduction in school drop-out Increased re-enrollment in school (65% of treatment group were in school or on apprenticeship) Better self-care

Limitations Some modules of the life skills training like coping with emotions, assertive behavior, changes in growing-up and gender, culture and stereotypes and problem-solving were not well comprehended

One of those moments when COP steps out to play with children.

Parenting skills evaluation: MUKSWSA Department Study questions Does parenting skills training lead to increased knowledge of correct parenting practices? Does it lead to improved parenting behavior? Does it lead to improved parent-child relationship? Does it ultimately result into improved child wellbeing?

Methodology Coverage: Study conducted in 10 out of 35 SCORE districts Methodology: Comparison of treatment and control groups Sample: 697 caregivers (337 in the treatment group and 360 in the control group) Quantitative and qualitative data collection methods

Summary of interviews per region District FGDs KIIs Survey Interviews   Intervention Control Caregivers Children Central Buikwe 1 36 11 39 17 Kampala 2 47 26 48 7 Luweero 43 18 49 20 Wakiso 3 88 89 31 Eastern Bududa 12 9 Mayuge 30 22 14 Northern Amuru 15 5 Nwoya 19 South-West Bushenyi 13 8 Rukungiri 34 25 37 Total 337 187 360 143

Improved Child Well-being The Theory of change Parenting Skills Training Increased Parenting Knowledge Improved Parent Behavior Improved parent-child relationship Improved Child Well-being

Findings Knowledge on correct parenting practices Caregivers in the treatment group were more likely to provide correct responses - depicting ‘correct’ parenting practices. Differences in knowledge of expected (‘correct’) parenting were significant with regard to: cuddling & hugging to express love towards children) (p=0.061) approaches to child upbringing (p=0.038) how to appropriately deal with a troublesome child (p=0.021).

FGD Quote For me before I joined the parenting skills training program I knew that for you to discipline a child you must get a cane and beat up that child for them to understand. But according to what we were taught in SCORE it is not good to beat a child because when you do that child will not understand what you tell them. It is better to give counsel to the child and since I learnt that, now there is a very big change in my home (Male caregivers, Mayuge).

Findings Child welfare Child welfare was defined from three perspectives: child protection, education, health and dietary intake Apart from food provision, caregivers who attended the training were significantly more likely to provide for their children in terms of education, emotional support and considering the opinions of the child in decision making Parents reported having learnt how to take care of their children; particularly being involved in their schooling

FGD Quote “I understand the role of fathers and mothers: both should give more attention to children and are responsible for the health, education, and balanced food of the children”

A parenting skills training session in Masheruka Sub-county-Sheema District

Rugarama parenting group in Kyabuharambo parish-Buhweju District

Challenges and opportunities Failure to meet annual targets 2015/2016. Inadequate staffing to support implementation of objective four activities. Limited turn-in of Pre-post training assessments forms New targets are manageable – No need for marathons trainings henceforth. Introduce community volunteers to support roll out of parenting and life skills trainings

Referrals (Critical services ) COP 16 targets Activity Code Activity Target COP 15 Total Reached in Year 5 % Reached Target COP 16 4.1.1 HH Dialogues 5,000 3,893 78% 4.1.1.1 Referrals (HCT) 3,000 2,283 76% 1,000 4.1.2 Life Skills 2,000 896 45% 500 4.1.3 Psychosocial 2,107 70% 4.1.4 Parenting skills 1,007 50% 4.4 Referrals (Critical services ) 2,500 2,505 100% 300

Priorities – Focus for Year 6 Prioritize HCT and support adherence Use QI to bolster HIV C&T linkages Reinforce community dialogues and home visits to improve WASH and school enrolment Target out of school youth (apprentices) for life skills trainings Hold quarterly referral service point meetings Hold quarterly social worker meetings Increase male involvement in parenting skills training to 40%

Priorities – Focus for Year 6 Conduct an operational research on, “the effect of SCORE’s family strengthening interventions on mental health clients in the North (26 cases identified and managed) Strengthen QI activities Develop a 5 minute documentary showcasing family strengthening achievements

The Family strengthening team at the recreation Centre-Gulu

AVSI Foundation Tel: 0312-501614 website: www.score.or.ug