Data and Monitoring Tools

Monitoring and research are essential processes in ensuring the relevance and effectiveness of programs, and the scope and type of service provision. They are integral components of analysis, strategic planning, and implementation for government and non-governmental organisations seeking to effect change, support or provide services.

Monitoring is an on-going process of gathering information e.g. statistics and tracking inputs and outputs, enabling the evaluation of what is working, and providing a mechanism for accountability. Combined with research, it facilitates the planning of improved resource allocation and service delivery. Research and monitoring can also help raise awareness of the gravity of a situation, both nationally and internationally. It should help convince those who are putting time, energy and money into supporting programmes that their efforts are worthwhile and should be continued.

Results of monitoring and evaluation should be fed directly back into programmes to correct weaknesses and improve performance. The outcomes of research and monitoring should also help improve child care policies. Results can be used to inform future programme design, prompting a decision to replicate an effective intervention in other areas or to discontinue an intervention because it is expensive and not making any beneficial changes.

The literature in this section provides statistical data on vulnerable children from a wide range of sources, as well as guidance and examples of data collection, indicators, analysis, and research methods regarding issues relating to vulnerable children.

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Reaching Out to Africa's Orphans: A Framework for Public Action

Kalanidhi Subbarao and Diane Coury, 2004

A detailed book providing evidence-based guidelines for approaches and interventions to best mitigate the various risks confronted by OVC.

Stop Guessing?: A Guide to Monitoring and Evaluation for Community and Faith Based Organizations Working with Children Affected by HIV/AIDS

Kyle Jemison, Joseph Mafara, Emmanuel Makiwa, Matt McGarry, Jennifer Lentfer and Lovemore Tinarwo , 2004

Monitoring and Evaluation and Operations Research guidelines for organizations implementing OVC/Children Affected by AIDS programs.

The Right to Live in a Family and Community: Homes for Children and Teenagers in Brazil

The Research Institute of Applied Economy (IPEA) and the National Council of the Rights of the Child and Adolescent (CONANDA), 2004

This research study provides statistical information on institutional care of children under the age of 12 in Brazil. Interviews with institutions and children are conducted, and reasons for separation from family, length of time in care, status of family relationship, religious orientation and financial support of the institutions are highlighted.

Children in Residential Care: The Zimbabwean Experience

G. Powell, T. Chinake, D. Mudzinge, W. Maambira, and S. Mukutiri, 2004

Analyzes the state of institutional care in Zimbabwe against the national child protection policy. Focuses on the role of donors in the proliferation of institutional care and strategies to better regulate the development and provision of child protection services.

Orphanhood and Child Vulnerability: Malawi

L. Guarcello, S. Lyon, and F. Rosati , 2004

A report on orphans and vulnerable children in Malawi. It examines how orphanhood increases vulnerability though decreased access to formal schooling and increased exposure to child labor. Includes detailed statistical tables.

Children in Crisis: Good Practices in Evaluating Psychosocial Programming

Joan Duncan and Laura Arntson, 2004

A comprehensive and detailed template for development and evaluation of psychosocial support projects. Emphasis on raising awareness of cultural and ethical issues associated with psychosocial interventions.

Operations Research: Discovering and Utilizing Sound Practices

Catholic Relief Services and USAID, 2004

Sound practices culled from the experiences of CRS Zimbabwe’s Support to Replicable, Innovative, Village/Community-Level Efforts to support children affected by AIDS (STRIVE) Program on Operations Research.

Children in Institutions: Prevention and Alternative Care

Bragi Gudbrandsson, 2004

This report contains an overview of alternative care in Europe, the effects of institutions on children, statistical information and the different approaches of child protection systems within Europe. It includes reforming institutional care, foster care, post-care support, and the role of the social worker.

National Strategic Programme Plan of Interventions For Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children in Uganda, 2005/6 - 2009/10 Fiscal Year

Uganda Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, 31 Dec 2003

The NSPPI provides overall guidance to implementers to mitigate the impact of orphan hood and other vulnerabilities among children in Uganda.

Africa's Orphaned Generations

UNICEF, 01 Nov 2003

This paper reports on the life circumstances of today’s orphaned children in Africa with new data and fresh analyses. The report presents a strategy for ensuring that all of Africa’s orphaned children have a safe, healthy and well-educated childhood, establishing the foundation for a productive adult life and for their countries’ overall development. Therefore, this paper encourages hope in the face of an epic disaster as it offers the possibility of change for those already orphaned and for the generation to come.