Inter-CHA and Interfaith

Partnerships

7th ACHAP Biennial

February 25, 2015

John Blevins

Interfaith Health Program, Emory University

Inter-CHA and Interfaith Partnerships

Objectives

1. Discuss PEPFAR priorities that guide

the collaboration.

2. Describe Inter-CHA and Interfaith

activities carried out.

Inter-CHA and Interfaith Partnerships

PEPFAR Priorities

with FBOs

PEPFAR FBO Consultation in 2012

• Representatives from Uganda,

Rwanda, Tanzania, and Kenya

• Held at St. Paul’s University

• Convened by IHP and St. Paul’s

• ACHAP played key coordinating role

Inter-CHA and Interfaith Partnerships

12 Key Recommendations

Leverage the unique role and function of FBOs • Capitalize on the trust that has developed between FBOs and

local communities to build stronger, comprehensive, integrated

HIV prevention efforts built not on stigmatization but on

unconditional love.

• Develop the capacity for FBOs to advocate for improved

healthcare for all citizens and hold governments accountable.

• Maximize the existing organizational infrastructure of faith-

based health systems to reach communities impacted by HIV,

including vulnerable, hard-to-reach, and most at-risk

populations (MARPs).

• Develop the capacity to communicate in ways that are relevant

and meaningful to religious communities, donors, and

governments.

• Strengthen communities’ input and investment into FBO

administration and programming.

Inter-CHA and Interfaith Partnerships

12 Key Recommendations

Build the capacity of FBOs, their employees, and

volunteers

• Develop and make widely available mechanisms to support

the organizational development of FBOs.

• Increase FBOs’ capacities to develop and implement effective

programs or to strengthen existing programs.

• Expand FBO networks by bringing in new or previously

unaffiliated FBOs and engaging other religious traditions.

• Hold ineffective FBOs accountable.

• Offer leadership development initiatives to better equip the

next generation of leaders.

Inter-CHA and Interfaith Partnerships

The activities carried out among ACHAP, St. Paul’s, and IHP are

responses to these recommendations

Inter-CHA and Interfaith Partnerships

The activities carried out among ACHAP, St. Paul’s, and IHP are

responses to these recommendations

Inter-CHA

• Mentorship for Health Systems Strengthening

• The Faith, Health Collaboration and Leadership Development Program

Interfaith

• Interfaith-Centre on Social Justice and HIV

• PEPFAR Consultation

• Executive Leadership Institute on Advocacy

Inter-CHA and Interfaith Partnerships

Inter-CHA Partnerships

Mentorship for Health Systems Strengthening

• Draw on CHA knowledge, technical capacities, and wisdom

• Mentorship of a smaller CHA by a larger CHA

• Components

• Self-assessment

• Tailored curriculum developed in response

• On-site mentorship, learning, and site visits

Inter-CHA and Interfaith Partnerships

Inter-CHA Partnerships

Mentorship for Health Systems Strengthening

• Piloted in 2014

• Christian Health Association of Lesotho

• Christian Health Association of Kenya

• Three focus areas

• Administrative Structure

• Health Information/Data Management

• Service Provision

• Short (1 year), Medium (3-5 year) and Long-term (>5) actions identified

• Follow-up support

• Identification of resources

• Supportive site visits

Inter-CHA and Interfaith Partnerships

Inter-CHA Partnerships

Faith, Health Collaboration and Leadership Development Program

• Build or strengthen community partnerships

• 5-member multisectoral teams

• Support referral into treatment and retention in care for PLHIV

• Inclusion of clinical staff from HIV clinical programs (both CHA and non-CHA) on teams

• Two week-long workshops

• Social determinants of health disparities and HIV vulnerability (e.g., poverty, stigma, gender inequities)

• Leadership development

• Community assets

• Religion’s influence

Inter-CHA and Interfaith Partnerships

Inter-CHA Partnerships

Faith, Health Collaboration and Leadership Development Program

• Community action learning

• Action plans developed at conclusion of workshop I and initial steps at implementation

• Site visits in interim

• Action plans refined in workshop II

• Follow up assessments with providers and recipients of services

• Piloted in Nakuru County Kenya in 2014; expansion into Nairobi in 2015

• Training of Trainers with ACHAP staff and St. Paul’s training program to set the stage for replication in partnership with other CHAs.

Inter-CHA and Interfaith Partnerships

Inter-CHA Partnerships

Interfaith Centre on Social Justice and HIV

• Build on the theological beliefs, teachings, and practices of religious traditions (focus on Christianity and Islam) in support of compassion for all people living with or affected by HIV and advocate for access to comprehensive services for everyone, including hard-to-reach and vulnerable communities

• Activities

• Convene a PEPFAR regional consultation in 2015 as follow up to the 2012 consultation

• Develop resources for use in local churches or masjids (e.g., religious education materials, Bible studies, sermon outlines) authored by religious leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa

• Develop a body of theological writing (peer-reviewed) and made available widely

Inter-CHA and Interfaith Partnerships

Inter-CHA Partnerships

PEPFAR Consultation

• Follow up to 2012 Consultation

• Regional in scope

• Four key focuses

• Progress (or lack thereof) in implementing 2012 recommendations

• Capacity building of FBOs and health systems

• FBO role in advocacy and accountability

• Discussion on ways that FBOs can work with MSM, CSWs, and drug users

• Christian and Muslims leaders invited

Inter-CHA and Interfaith Partnerships

Inter-CHA Partnerships

Executive Leadership Institute on Advocacy

• Build national-level networks of religious leaders from various traditions and build their capacity to advocate for effective HIV services within the country coordinating mechanisms.

• Roll out in Kenya

• 62 national religious leaders (Christian, Muslim, and Hindu) working in HIV interviewed.

• Training curriculum developed.

• Institute planned for late 2015 or 2016

Inter-CHA and Interfaith Partnerships

Next Steps

PEPFAR has announced strong, sustained efforts to build partnerships with FBOs

• Global coordinator for capacity building with faith-based organizations

• The kinds of activities described here will be part of this initiative, along with

• global learning network (in-person and web-based activities)

• qualitative and quantitative assessments of the contributions of FBOs to HIV services

• ongoing efforts to address stigma

Inter-CHA and Interfaith Partnerships

If you would like to know about the activities carried out among ACHAP, St.

Paul’s and IHP, please visit

ihpemory.org

and/or email me at

john.blevins@emory.edu

ASANTE SANA!