Listen to a recording of the welcome, keynote and sixty-second science session.
WELCOME
Welcome
Judy Lewis, Chair, CORE Group Board of Directors
Presentation of 2016 Dory Storms Child Survival Recognition Award to Karen LeBan
Judy Lewis, Chair, CORE Group Board of Directors
KEYNOTE
Emanuele Capobianco, Deputy Executive Director, Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH)
SIXTY-SECOND SCIENCE
short-form research presentations with Q&A
Maternal, Newborn and Child Health
- Faith Leaders Advocate for Improved Spacing of Pregnancy/Family Planning and Stronger Maternal and Child Health Outcomes, Susan Otchere, World Vision
- Armenia “Go Baby Go:” A Quasi-experimental Intervention-Control Study, Rhonda Holloway, World Vision
- Recogniton of and Care-seeking for Newborn Complications in Jayawijaya District, Papua Province, Indonesia: A Qualitative Study, Rhonda Holloway, World Vision
- Acceptability, Feasibility, and Impact of Adherence Partners to Support Prenatal Micronutrient Supplementation, Stephanie Martin, Cornell University
- Initiative to Halve Post-partum Hemmorhage (PPH) mortality, Anders Seim, Health & Development International (HDI)
Nutrition
- CRS Assessments on the Role of Indigenous African Plant Foods in Resiliency and Dietary Diversity in Malawi, Uganda, and Zambia, Alexandra M. Towns, Catholic Relief Services
- Barrier Analyses on Maternal Health and Nutrition Behaviors in the Syrian Refugee Crisis: Findings from Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey, Shiromi Perera, International Medical Corps
- Cost of the Diet Assessment in Azraq Refugee Camp: Opportunities and Challenges in Adapting and Utilizing this Tool for a Closed Refugee Camp Setting, Suzanne Brinkmann, International Medical Corps
- Assessment of Adolescent Girl Nutrition, Dietary Practices, and Roles in Zimbabwe, Amelia Reese Masterson, International Medical Corps
- The Nutrition Transition in Nicaragua, Dan Fenyvesi, Fulbright Scholar Program
Community Health Approaches, Vector-borne illness and Violence Prevention
- Dashboards for Performance Management of Community Health Workers (CHWs), Jill Shah, Medic Mobile
- Zika Virus Knowledge Among the Population of Four Municipalities in Honduras: A Cross-sectional Survey in Honduras, Alfonso Rosales, World Vision
- CHW Health Service Delivery in Rural Zimbabwe: Client Perspectives about CHWs and Implications for Programs, Rukundo Kambarami, Cornell University
- Reducing Violence Against Women, Jhumka Gupta, George Mason University
- Health Infrastructure: The Science Behind Staff, Stuff, Space and Systems, Pierre Paul, Partners in Health
SIXTY-SECOND SCIENCE PRESENTATION
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
- Applied the principles of positive youth development to sustainable adolescent health programming.
- Learned to explain the relationship of youth economic empowerment and the achievement of SDG goals and targets, as it relates to healthy transitions for adolescents.
- Identified at least two socio-cultural interventions that can support healthy transitions for young, first-time parents.
Transitions in Monitoring and Evaluation of Social and Behavior Change (SBC): Measuring the Hard-to-Measure with Complexity Awareness
Grace Awantang, Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs; Lenette Golding, Alive & Thrive, FHI 360; Joseph Petraglia, Pathfinder; Laurie Krieger, Manoff Group; Susan Igas, Institute for Reproductive Health, Georgetown University; Stephen Rahaim, Palladium (Moderator)
The use of inappropriate research approaches has left many unanswered questions such as, “What makes SBC interventions work?” “For whom?” “Why?” and “For how long? In what context?” Fortunately, there are many approaches that can provide a fuller and more realistic picture of the SBC process, shed light on different issues, and increase the strength and rigor of evaluation findings. This session described and demonstrated how different approaches should and should not be used in practice according to the level of complexity.
- Described experimental, quasi-experimental, qualitative, mixed-methods, complexity-aware approaches.
- Developed research questions and matched these questions with appropriate research approaches and methods, based on a provided scenario.
- Discussed how and when various approaches and methods are appropriate to use according to the level of complexity.
- Understood the key messages of Investing in Nutrition-The Foundation for Development report and discussed how the framework is linked to the global Scaling Up Nutrition movement, the REACH initiative, and other ongoing works.
- Learned about (1) Scaling Up Nutrition cost estimate methodologies (Common Results Framework or CRF Planning tool), (2) resources available through the SUN website, and (3) FANTA’s nutrition advocacy process using the newlyrevised PROFILES tool.
- Discussed how key tools and approaches presented can be applied in nutritional advocacy efforts at country, regional, and global levels.
- Gained an understanding of the latest information on the Zika outbreak, the implications for women’s and children’s health, and key prevention options.
- Considered gaps and opportunities related to knowledge and behaviors among populations vulnerable to Zika, and how this information can inform program design.
- Discuss challenges and opportunities related to integrating Zika response efforts into existing RMNAH platforms.
- Discussed key guidelines that are used in the field (such as IASC Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergency Settings) to guide MHPSS considerations, interventions, and activities.
- Identified ways that MHPSS guidelines can be incorporated into routine humanitarian responses.
- Learned from panelists about their experience in supporting programs, conducting assessments, coordinating with other actors, and preparing for recovery and development programming.
LUNCHTIME SESSIONS
Michelle Shapiro and Erin Murray, CORE Group
Lunch Table: CORE Group Young Professionals Network
Pauline Lee, Chemonics; Denise Phelps, Independent; Adrienne Todela, CORE Group
Find out more about CORE Group’s new Young Professionals Network, geared toward global health professionals 21 to 35 years old. The co-chairs discussed upcoming events and opportunities, and how to get more involved.
Luis Ortiz Echevarría, Management Sciences for Health; Kirsten Bording Collins, AdaptivePurpose, LLC
- Described an experience using a CoP approach in cultivating discussions about adaptive practice in development programs.
- Discussed how to nurture, grow, and sustain a CoP on adaptive practice with stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines
Strengthening Anemia Programming: A Hands-on Introduction to the Landscape Analysis Guidance and the District Assessment Tool
Teemar Fisseha, SPRING, JSI; Jennifer Burns, Catholic Relief Services
The USAID-funded SPRING project has developed two new anemia-related resources: Landscape Analysis Guidance that provides detailed information to policy makers and program implementers on how to gather, understand, and use anemiarelated data; and a District Assessment Tool for Anemia (DATA) that assists program managers in strengthening anemia programming at the district level. During this lunchtime session, SPRING introduced the Landscape Analysis Guidance and DATA to participants, highlighting their role in promoting multi-sectoral and data-driven efforts to improve anemia programming.
By the end of this session, participants had:
- Learned about two new powerful anemia-related resources (Landscape Analysis Guidance and DATA).
- Discussed SPRING’s work in promoting partnerships and data-driven decision making related to anemia programming.
Janet Meyers, Save the Children
WORKING GROUP SESSIONS: PLANNING AND INNOVATIONS FOR FY2017
Community-Centered Health Systems Strengthening
Co-Chairs: Alfonso Rosales, World Vision; Megan Christensen, Concern Worldwide
Alfonso Rosales and Megan Christensen led the Community Centered Health System Working Group in a review of the annual workplan—developed following the Spring CORE meeting; and facilitated a discussion on the progress achieved to date as well as make amendments to the workplan, including prioritization of activities. The working group also planned to engage colleagues from MCSP to provide updates on the status of the MCSP-WHO Community Implementation Principles paper as well as share new guides on community health programming and social accountability. Finally, they reviewed thematic areas for which members have local success stories, learning and evidence that can be pitched at international conferences and other forums to increase visibility and advocacy for community health systems.
Social and Behavior Change
Co-Chairs: Lenette Golding, Alive & Thrive, FHI 360; Joseph Petraglia, Pathfinder International; Debora B. Freitas López, Chemonics International
The Social and Behavior Change Working Group explored a variety of technical topics and discuss current priorities and strategic directions for the working group.
Nutrition
Co-Chairs: Jen Burns, Catholic Relief Services; Justine Kavle, USAID’s Maternal and Child Survival Program, PATH
The Nutrition Working Group reviewed its annual work plan and discussed how to move forward with initiatives focused on the triple burden of malnutrition; integration of Community Case Management and Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition; nutrition-sensitive integration; anemia; Essential Nutrition Actions; and technical webinars. In addition, on behalf of the TOPS/Food Security and Nutrition Network, Joan Jennings presented an integrated agriculture and nutrition tool and facilitate a discussion on using it in programming. Lastly, the session had updates on new co-chairs.
Monitoring & Evaluation
Co-Chairs: Claire Boswell, The TOPS Program, Food for the Hungry; Dora Curry, CARE
The CORE Group Monitoring and Evaluation Working group worked on three major projects during its working time at this year’s Fall Conference: 1) Determining a “right-sized” list of key field-level M&E competencies as a first step in developing a resource for M&E capacity building for frontline/community health workers; 2) Reviewing, revising, and preparing to repilot CORE’s qualitative data use manual; and 3) roll-out of new modules of the RHFA.
Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, & Adolescent Health
Co-Chairs: Regina Benevides, Pathfinder International; Mychelle Farmer, Jhpiego; Corinne Mazzeo, USAID’s Maternal and Child Survival Program, Save the Children; Cindy Uttley, Samaritan’s Purse
The Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Adolescent Health Working Group focused on the following during our Fall 2016 meeting time:
- Revisit the 2016-2017 workplan, including:
- Review progress made since the Spring Conference and the “relaunch” of the RMNAH working group.
- Discuss any modifications to the workplan that may be needed (removing or adding activities based on needs identified by the group), including initial plans for the Spring 2017 Conference.
- Identify group members to lead/collaborate on key activities.
- Discuss timelines for key activities.
- Discuss working group “operations,” including frequency of calls and other communication, to ensure we are meeting members’ needs and expectations.
PLENARY
Listen to a recording of the plenary session.
The Humanitarian-Development Nexus: The Role of Community Health in Building More Effective Responses
Áine Fay, Concern Worldwide U.S.; Aakanksha Pande, World Bank; Justin Pendarvis, OFDA, USAID; Leisel Talley, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Alfonso Rosales, World Vision (Moderator)
It has become increasingly challenging to fulfill needs of communities in fragile states using traditional strategies that focus on either humanitarian or development programs. There is a lack of harmonized approaches to bridge humanitarian and development responses, thereby limiting and preventing agencies from effectively meeting the needs of vulnerable people. The World Humanitarian Summit, held in Istanbul in May 2016, started to address these key challenges. This plenary session aimed at continuing that discussion among a community of health practitioners to identify deliberate and focused actions for more effective and coordinated responses that build community resiliency, create an environment which catalyzes more fluid transitions, and promote mixed-method responses to rapidly evolving operating climates.
- Engaged in a dialogue with humanitarian/emergency response stakeholders as well as development actors in order to promote and build a more harmonized community of practice.
- Discussed what needs exist from the humanitarian/emergency response and development perspectives and identified gaps that exist in current programming.
- Considered a hybrid model that responds to needs of populations living in fragile states, with a specific focus on resiliency and community health.
- Identified next steps by translating dialogue to modes of action that will lead to more responsive funding and synergetic approaches between the humanitarian /emergency and development sectors.