This TBD was named in August 09 reprogramming.

Context

The National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), founded in 1992, is the only officially established organization that represents AIDS Directors of all 50 U.S. states. A membership driven, participatory and peer-led organization. NASTAD's mission is to strengthen state and territory-based leadership, expertise, and advocacy, and bring them to bear in reducing the incidence of HIV infection and on providing care and support to all who live with HIV/AIDS.

The NASTAD Global Program draws upon the peer-based, participatory, and experiential approaches proven to be of value to U.S. state AIDS directors in NASTAD's domestic programs, and uses a peer-based learning model that places country HIV management experience at the center of its training and technical assistance methodology.

NASTAD was engaged by CDC/ BOTUSA in 2003 to provide capacity building and technical support to the Botswana Ministry of Local Government (MLG) in the planning and implementation of the district response. Initially, NASTAD worked with the MLG to develop revised national terms of reference for the District Multi Sectoral AIDS Committees (DMSACs) and standardized national guidelines for the preparation of annual comprehensive plans.

NASTAD now works in partnership with the MLG, Department of Primary Healthcare Services (DPHCS) to provide in-depth on-site technical assistance and training to all District AIDS Coordinators(DACs) and DMSACs to help assure the development and implementation of high-quality annual evidenced-based comprehensive district HIV plans.

NASTAD collaborates with DAC office staff and Peace Corps Volunteers serving in districts to provide district HIV prevention implementing partners with organizational, technical, and financial support for the implementation of HIV prevention activities identified through the district planning processes.

Goals and Objectives

To strengthen capacity of national and local public sector staff to plan, manage and evaluate, and coordinate public sector HIV prevention, care and treatment programs

To build organizational capacity of public sector offices to support the delivery of national and local public sector HIV programs

To create sustainability in national and local HIV programs

Major Activities

NASTAD has a head office in Gaborone where programmatic and operational activities are coordinated. NASTAD is fully integrated into the MLG, DPHCS, coordinating its work with MLG monitoring and evaluation, the Community Capacity Enhancement Program (CCEP) and with other policy advisors and staff. NASTAD staff visit districts to provide one-on-one technical support to DACs, DMSACs and their Technical Advisory Committees, and collaborating with the US Peace Corps (PCV) program in Botswana whose volunteers are partners with NASTAD in building capacity to implement the revised NASTAD Evidence Based Planning Toolkit.

NASTAD also draws upon U.S. state health department twinning partners who, as professional counterparts and peers to DAC can provide peer-to-peer support, technical and content expertise. Together, these staff and technical assistance providers aim to implement increasingly cost efficient and sustainable activities by transferring technical and programmatic skills, guidelines and processes to local public health staff.

Target Populations

In- and out-of-school youth aged 10 to 29 years of both sexes.

Geographic Coverage

Northeast, Kweneng West, Mahalapye, and Kanye/Moshupa districts.

Cross cutting programs

NASTAD will strengthen and support human resources within districts by facilitating the hire of 14 CCEP project officers by the Ministry of Local Government.

Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

NASTAD will develop a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework that identifies performance indicators and data collection sources and methodologies.

NASTAD will establish systems to collect unduplicated numbers of participants, and will rely on pre-post surveys of training participants, and interviews with participating district, and local staff to monitor targets and measure positive changes in the performance indicators.

10.X.SI18: NASTAD - epidemiological profile of HIV in Botswana - 50,000.00

Objective 1: To establish an ongoing process and specific guidelines for the iterative production of national and district level HIV/AIDS epidemiologic profiles. Objective 2: To develop a 2010 HIV/AIDS epidemiologic profile for Botswana. Objective 3: To strengthen the capacity of the MOH and NACA for the development HIV/AIDS epidemiological profiles and updates. NASTAD will establish a technical working group (or expand the terms of reference of an existing technical working group) to: i. agree upon a framework/format and guidelines for the development of a national epidemiologic profile; ii. identify and select relevant national and district data sources; iii. review and validate draft and final versions of the epidemiologic profile; iv. plan for distribution and use of the epidemiologic profile, including sensitization/advocacy meetings at the national and district levels; v. identify roles and responsibilities and resources to ensure future ongoing updates of the epidemiologic profile. NASTAD will identify a consultant to: i. undertake an inventory and review available data sources; ii. analyze and develop narratives for review by the technical working group; iii. produce, format, print, and distribute the final document; iv. organize and implement national and local sensitization/advocacy and dissemination meetings.

10.X.SS02: NASTAD - Community Planning - 550,000.00

NASTAD works in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government's (MLG), Department of Primary Health Care Services (DPHCS) to: 1) institutionalize the use of the evidence-based approach (EBP) for the development of annual comprehensive district HIV plans, and 2) implement the Community Capacity Enhancement Program (CCEP). The goal of technical assistance in EBP is to build capacity of national and district level government to respond effectively to the epidemic by applying the EBP approach. NASTAD will: · Provide training on EBP to the AIDS Coordinating Unit (ACU). · Train a core group of trainers within MLG who will provide implementation support for the EBP Strategy. · With MLG, train new DACs and Ministerial AIDS Coordinators to promote EBP and facilitate harmonization between Ministerial and District Plans. · Partner with MLG DPHCS to provide on-site tailored technical assistance to all 29 districts · With MLG staff training co-facilitate on EBP, implementation and monitoring for up to 15 Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) · With MLG, review and assess comprehensive plans to determine EBP technical assistance needs for DACs · Support MLG's effort to develop and implement a standardized reporting system for district planning and prevention activities. · Provide one training of DACS and Implementing Partners (IPs) on Logic Model for planned Implementation & Outcomes and for Planned Monitoring in the 24 non-focus districts The CCEP is currently being implemented by the MLG DPHCS. The project engages communities in ongoing conversations to identify priority community needs and sustainable, community initiated interventions by which to address them. The goal of this assistance is to strengthen the capacity of Botswana Government institutions and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to use CCEP to enhance HIV district planning and delivery of HIV prevention interventions. NASTAD will: · With MLG, establish and train a core group of Master Trainers at MLG who will provide ongoing training and implementation support for the CCEP Strategy · Using existing Community Conversation (CC) program management training (currently being delivered in Ethiopia), design and implement a training program for Master Trainers on quality management and monitoring of CCEP. · With MLG, support the Master trainers in training of IPs and Facilitators in the 4 implementing Districts, on CCEP including the relationship between CCEP district planning, and the HIV prevention work of the IPs · Provide one-on-one support and follow up with CCEP MLG staff and CCEP facilitators to ensure integration of CC recommendations into DMSAC activities as part of its ongoing EBP capacity building visits to districts · Identify and document Best Practices or Areas of Competence in partnership with MLG and the National AIDS Coordinating Agency Activities for supportive supervision and quality assurance In collaboration with MLG, NASTAD will provide one-on-one, on-site follow up and support to DACs and DMSACs in applying EBP and CCEP and integrating CCs priorities and solutions into District HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Evidence Based Plans.

10.P.AB05: Nastad - Assistance to MLG District Prevention Program - 350,000.00

This activity seeks to strengthen HIV prevention interventions at the district level by providing financial and technical support to district level HIV prevention implementing partners (IPs). Target Population In- and out-of-school youth aged 10 to 29 years. Main Objectives a) Build cpacity within three civil society organizations to be independent self-sustaining HIV prevention IPs; b) Ensure that IPs deliver high quality, effective and sustainable HIV prevention activities; and c) Ensure sustainable capacity of District Multi-Sectoral AIDS Committees and the District AIDS Coordinators (DACs) to coordinate district level HIV prevention strategies. NASTAD will select three of the five currently funded IPs and their activities would be as follows: 1. Baga Mmanaana Cultural Group will establish friendship group/abstinence clubs in four secondary schools in Moshupa to provide HIV prevention life skills education to students in Forms 1, 2 & 3. 2. CHLD Tapologo Marriage and Family Project will seek to reduce HIV transmission rates among youth and couples in Kanye/Moshupa by promoting a culture of self control, fidelity and respect for the institution of marriage and family. 3. Motlhware Theatre Group will establish friendship groups/abstinence clubs to provide HIV prevention life skills education at secondary schools for students and at churches for out-of-school youth. 4. House of Men Theatre Group will use theatrical performances to provide HIV prevention peer education on life skills and parent-child communication targeting youth ages 10-29 in Letlhakeng Primary and Junior Secondary Schools. 5. Tsholofelo Trust will develop youth clubs in Ditshegwane, Sesung and Serinane that promote HIV awareness and behavior change among the participants and in the community. Activities for Supportive Supervision and Quality Assurance

NASTAD will work closely with the Ministry of Local Government and the DACs in four districts to provide supervision and quality assurance through: a) One-on one technical assistance site visits; b) Delivery of quarterly workshops on organizational capacity building; c) BCIC manuals and IEC materials to enhance quality by providing guidance on the application of effective interventions; and d) Coordination with evidence-based planning program for district level interventions.

Linkages Linkages will be made with adolescent sexual reproductive health programs and UNFPA projects targeting young people in districts where there is such a presence. Ministry of Education will train IPs on Life Skills Curriculum so that they can start implementing in schools.

Monitoring and Evaluation Plan NASTAD will develop a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework that identifies performance indicators and data collection sources and methodologies. NASTAD will establish systems to collect unduplicated numbers of participants, and will rely on pre- and post-surveys of training participants, and interviews with participating districts and local staff to monitor targets and measure positive changes in performance indicators.

10.P.OP05: Nastad - Assistance to MLG District Prevention Program - 250,000.00

This activity seeks to strengthen HIV prevention interventions at the district level by providing financial and technical support to district level HIV prevention implementing partners (IPs).

Target Populations Sexually active men and women aged 15-64 years. Description of Services Six of the following seven currently funded IPs will receive FY10 funds to continue implementing their activities: Ditshegwane Support Group will provide information and support to promote HIV prevention through behavior change interventions. Madiba Drama Group will use drama as a vehicle to educate youth and adults throughout Mahalapye sub-district on HIV/AIDS and behavior change. Vision Support Group will work in Mahalapye, Shoshong and Mookane to promote healthy sexual lifestyles including safe and consistent condom use among adult men and teach sexually-active HIV-positive and HIV-negative persons. Voice of Women will mobilize, sensitize and raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and problems of stigma and gender-based violence. Nlapkwane Community Development Trust will educate adults about HIV prevention and mobilize them to utilize services and empower youth with life skills to reduce the risk of HIV infection among them and their peers. Pelagano Support Group will develop community mobilizers to educate about the importance of knowing one's HIV status, reinforce and undertake behavioral change related activities among those who know their status and do condom use demonstration drives in eight villages. Top Banana will develop the capacity to provide group counseling, primarily focusing on addressing stigma and discrimination to people infected and affected by HIV for residents of Tsesebe and nearby villages. Activities for Supportive Supervision and Quality Assurance All IPs will be trained on evidence-based planning and promising practices in prevention to improve the effectiveness of their interventions. Coaching during the one-onone technical assistance visits covers accurate and timely reporting on indicators and record keeping. NASTAD will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Local Government in supporting the District AIDS Coordinators to provide technical supervision to the local IPs. IEC materials are sourced as appropriate and guidance manuals and others secured by NASTAD are availed to IPs. Linkages NASTAD will provide networking and referral coaching to improve collaboration and access to services within districts. This will assist in building long-term project sustainability.