This document outlines a project to strengthen family planning programs in faith-based health networks in Rwanda and Uganda. It aims to expand access to family planning information and services, including fertility awareness methods, through faith-based organization programs. An assessment of existing programs found gaps in training, supervision, data collection, commodity availability and community outreach. The project will address these gaps by expanding method availability, improving supportive supervision, developing community tools, ensuring commodity availability and raising community awareness. The goal is to involve communities and advance gender equality while expanding family planning choices available through faith-based networks.

1. Family planning through
faith-based health networks
Where we are & Where we could go
CCIH 2014 Conference
Presentation by Lauren Van Enk
Institute for Reproductive Health, Georgetown University

2. Objectives
• Develop an appreciation for the
contribution of faith-based health
networks in family planning service
provision
• Gain an understanding of the current
state of family planning programs in
select faith-based health networks in
Africa
• Discover a capacity building strategy for
improving family planning programs

3. A3 Goal Strengthen the family planning programs
of select FBOs in Rwanda and Uganda
and expand their method mix through
the introduction of effective, easy-to-use
fertility awareness-based methods.
Project length: 2014-2015

4. SO1WomenandmeninRwandaandUgandahave
expandedaccesstofamilyplanning(FP)informationand
services,includingFAM,throughFaith-basedorganization
(FBO)programs
IR 1.1
FBOs have strengthened
capacity to offer FP services,
including FAM
Outputs 1.1
1. Provider and client materials and training curricula
2. Trained providers
3. Improved provider supervision systems
4. Improved FP reporting, HMIS, and logistics systems
IR 1.2
FP services, including FAM,
are available
Outputs 1.2
1. Reliable stock of FP products
2. New FP users
IR 1.3
Women and men have
improved access to
information about the
benefits of family planning,
the methods that are
available, and where to
receive services
Outputs 1.3
1. Community members with FP awareness
2. Sensitized religious leaders
IR 1.4
External audiences have
accessed knowledge and
evidence-based tools for
increasing fertility
awareness and access to
FP, including FAM, through
FBOs
Outputs 1.4
1. Fertility awareness and FAM evidence base
2. FBO knowledge-sharing platform
Results Framework

5. Action
Familiale
Rwandaise
(AFR)
Caritas
Rwanda

6. Uganda
Protestant
Medical
Bureau (UPMB)
CRS & Uganda
Catholic
Medical
Bureau (UCMB)
Uganda

7. Elements of Successful
Family Planning Programs
Training & Service Delivery
Supervision System
Data Collection
Commodity Availability
Awareness Raising
Creating a Supportive
Environment

8. Landscape assessment:
Programmatic Indicators
AFR
Rwanda
Caritas
Rwanda
UCMB
Uganda
UPMB
Uganda
Facility-based providers trained in FP -
Community-based providers trained
to offer FP
FP job aids available to providers
Master FP trainers available within
organization
Implements quality
assurance/supervision plan
Records FP user data in HMIS
HMIS data sent to MOH
Procurement system for FP
commodities
Community outreach activities
FP/FAM in norms & guidelines
System in place
System partially
in place
Training & Service
Delivery
Supervision System
Data Collection
Commodity Availability
Awareness Raising
Creating a Supportive Environment

9. A3 Target Areas:
Programmatic Indicators
AFR
Rwanda
Caritas
Rwanda
UCMB
Uganda
UPMB
Uganda
Facility-based providers trained in FP -
Community-based providers trained
to offer FP
FP job aids available to providers
Master FP trainers available within
organization
Implements quality
assurance/supervision plan
Records FP user data in HMIS
HMIS data sent to MOH
Procurement system for FP
commodities
Community outreach activities
FP/FAM in norms & guidelines
System in place
System partially
in place
A3 target area

10. Landscape assessment:
Method Availability
AFR
Rwanda
Caritas
Rwanda
UCMB
Uganda
UPMB
Uganda
Standards Days Method
(SDM)/CycleBeads
TwoDay Method
Lactational Amenorrhea Method
(LAM)
Billings Ovulation Method
Other Natural Family Planning
Condoms - - -
Pills - - -
Injectable - - -
Implants - - -
IUD - - -
Sterilization - - -

11. A3 Target Areas:
Method Availability
AFR
Rwanda
Caritas
Rwanda
UCMB
Uganda
UPMB
Uganda
Standards Days Method
(SDM)/CycleBeads
TwoDay Method
Lactational Amenorrhea Method
(LAM)
Billings Ovulation Method
Other Natural Family Planning
Condoms - - -
Pills - - -
Injectable - - -
Implants - - -
IUD - - -
Sterilization - - -

12. Training & Service
Delivery
Supportive
Supervision
Data Collection
• Expand method mix
with new FAM (SDM,
LAM, TwoDay) at
facility level
• Introduce FP at
community level,
FAM + Pills &
Condoms (UPMB)
• Quarterly supervision
HQ → field
• Monthly supervision
Facility →
Community
• Develop
community-based
tools re FP services &
IEC activities
• Periodic meetings
with district-level
MOH re receipt of
data
Elements of Successful Family
Planning Programs

13. Commodity
Availability
Awareness Raising Creating a
Supportive
Environment
• Integrate
CycleBeads into
stock cards
• Periodic meetings
with district-level
MOH re stock-outs
• Periodic meetings
with JSI-DELIVER re
CycleBeads
procurement
(Rwanda)
• Sensitization
sessions with
Religious Leaders
• Home visits
• Radio spots
• Community health
talks
• Ensure FP, including
FAM, is in norms
and guidelines
• Periodic meetings
with MOH to
integrate FAM into
national norms
Elements of Successful Family
Planning Programs

14. Key Resources
• FAM Materials: Provider & Client
method materials adapted for
location and religion
• The Faithful House (TFH): Couple-
strengthening curriculum developed
by CRS
• Love, Children and Family Planning:
Bible study discussion guide for
protestant groups

15. Expand family planning choices.
Advance Gender Equality.
Involve Communities.