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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UNICEF Programming for Psychosocial Support: Frequently Asked Questions

UNICEF, 31 Dec 2004

Helpful resource for defining key terms, issues, and practices in psychosocial support. Contains a short list of recommended tools for support and monitoring of psychosocial support interventions.

Brazil's Bolsa Escola Program: The Role of Local Governance in Decentralized Implementation

Alain de Janvry, Frederico Finan, Elisabeth Sadoulet, Donald Nelson, Kathy Lindert, Benedict de la Briere, and Peter Lanjouw , 31 Dec 2004

Evaluation of the Bolsa Escola Program, which was a Brazilian social services program that provided cash transfers to families provided that their school-aged children would be enrolled in and attending school. Examines how beneficiaries were selected, registered, and monitored. Cites inconsistencies in implementation and roles of municipal governments as significant finding.

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.

Nutritional and Food Security Status of Orphans and Vulnerable Children: Report of a Research Project supported by UNICEF, IFPRI, and WFP

Jonathan Rivers, Eva Silvestre, and John Mason, 2004

A report on the nutritional status of orphans in sub-Saharan Africa. Seeks to understand the relationship between child vulnerability and food security. Contains conclusions and recommendations relevant for future monitoring initiatives.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Discovering and Utilizing Sound Practices

Catholic Relief Services and USAID, 2004

This brief outlines Monitoring and Evaluation sound practices of “spot checking” when costs can be prohibitive and the use of “station days”, a participatory method to collect accurate data on children.

Child Protection: Children Without Parental Care

UNICEF, 2004

A brief fact sheet on the multilevel support needs of children without parental care. Includes a brief section on statistical data and examples of UNICEF action in several countries around the world.

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.