Children infected or affected by AIDS are at a distinct disadvantage, especially with regards to education, nutrition, health, safety, and development. As these children are less likely to have their basic needs met, they are more likely to be sick or malnourished, suffer psychological trauma, endure abuse, and become HIV positive. Although most countries with a high prevalence of HIV and AIDS have national strategies in place to support children affected by HIV/AIDS, there are few programs designed specifically to meet the special needs of children under five. Therefore, as researchers and program implementers uncover more evidence of the long term consequences of HIV/AIDS on children, new approaches are urgently needed. When caring for young children the approach must be holistic – that is combining improved nutrition and health for infants and young children with social, physical and cognitive stimulation, and addressing issues of child protection. Integrated programming has been shown to enhance health, development, school performance, and ultimately, employment and earning potential.
The Essential Package (EP) is a comprehensive set of tools and guides for policy makers, program managers and service providers to address the unique needs and competencies of young children, particularly those affected or infected by HIV/AIDS, in an integrated and holistic way. Initial efforts to develop the Essential Package (EP) were led by the Inter-Agency Task Force on ECD and AIDS (IATF) within the Consultative Group and co-chaired by CARE and Save the Children. Materials have been developed based on a comprehensive literature review of the effects of HIV and AIDS on young children and caregivers and a review of current programs and materials addressing the needs of vulnerable children, and specifically in relation to ECD.
It is important to note, that the EP was NOT designed to be a standalone program. However, it can provide important guidance in the development of new programs to improve the quality of care provided to children affected by HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable populations. Moreover, the various components of the EP can be used independently, depending on the needs of implementing agencies. The work that has been conducted to date encourages service providers to consider the holistic needs of children according to their ages and stage of development as well as cultural context and resources available within their community.
©K Blackett-Dibinga, A DiGirolamo, T Neill, N Richardson, C Adams, C Smith, P Stansbery, W Philbrick, A Beeson L Zimanyi CARE, Save the Children, Consultative Group on Early Childhood Care and Development, ChildFund International, CDC, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation