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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
A Journal of Policy, Practices, and Perspectives Published by The American Association on Mental
Retardation
American Association on Mental Retardation
E. Geronimo Robinson. We all know, or have heard sometime in our lives, about the Black American Civil
Rights movement. American media and mainstream ...
American Association on Mental Retardation
Impact of Race, Poverty, and Ethnicity on Services for Persons With Mental Disabilities: Call for Cultural
Competence E. Geronimo Robinson and George N. ...
American Association on Mental Retardation
Systematic Distortion of Statistics as a Result of Racism and its Effect on the Human Services System E.
Geronimo Robinson ...
American Association on Mental Retardation
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