Since 2006, the Tanzania Institute of Social Work (ISW) has been partnering with Jane Addams College of Social Work (JACSW) and the Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center at the University of Illinois Chicago to strengthen the social work profession in Tanzania.
A particular focus has been on training community caregivers in key social work, case management, and child development skills so they are better able to meet the needs of most vulnerable populations, including orphans.
In collaboration with the Tanzania Human Resource Capacity Project, partners have trained some 2,500 Para-Social Workers (PSWs); 329 PSW supervisors; 103 master trainers; and 75 district social welfare officers as of July 2011.
ISW leads all related quality control and technical assistance efforts, collaborating with all five implementers to provide trainers and facilitators.
Another key component of the Initiative focuses on strengthening the social work profession in Tanzania. To this end, partners have created an “association to association” learning exchange between the Tanzania Social Work Association (TASWA) and the US-based National Association of Social Workers, with a focus on organizational development, advocacy, recruitment/retention, and establishing a regulatory framework.
They also assist other schools of social work with faculty and curricula development and are working to create uniform structures and standards through the Tanzania Emerging Schools of Social Work Program.
The Tanzania Social Work and OVC Support Initiative partners also work closely with similar AIHA programs in Ethiopia and Nigeria, thus bringing a regional scope to this innovative model program designed to improve care and support services available to orphans, children, and other vulnerable populations.
Key elements of the Para Social Worker training and technical assistance program have focused on strengthening the role of social workers as case managers and increasing the capacity of community volunteers to access resources for improving care for vulnerable children. To this end, the partnership is building ISW’s capacity to deliver high quality pre- and in-service social work education, particularly in the areas of HIV/AIDS and OVC care through:
- curriculum development;
- joint
teaching curriculum;
- enhanced student fieldwork
placement and supervision;
- exchange of educational materials and training resources;
- faculty development for teaching and targeted evaluation; and
- the development and institutionalization of an in-service certificate program for para-professional case managers to serve the needs of OVC.
Key training resources and tools developed through the project include:
Learning to Work with Orphans and Vulnerable Children: A Training Manual for Para-Social Workers (Participants Manual)
Introduction to Learning to Work with Orphans and Vulnerable Children: A Workshop for Para-Social Workers (Training of Trainers Manual)
Learning to Work with Orphans and Vulnerable Children (Day 1 training slides)
Learning to Work with Orphans and Vulnerable Children: Developmental, Legal, and Ethical Issues (Day 2 training slides)
Learning to Work with Orphans and Vulnerable Children: Engaging OVC and Their Families (Day 3 training slides)
Learning to Work with Orphans and Vulnerable Children: The Social Work Process for Working with Children and Families Affected by HIV/AIDS, Part I (Day 4 training slides)
Learning to Work with Orphans and Vulnerable Children: The Social Work Process for Working with Children and Families Affected by HIV/AIDS, Part II (Day 5 training slides)
Learning to Work with Orphans and Vulnerable Children: The Social Work Process for Working with Children and Families Affected by HIV/AIDS,
Part III (Day 6 training slides)
Learning to Work with Orphans and Vulnerable Children: The Social Work Process for Working with Children and Families Affected by HIV/AIDS,
Part IV (Day 7 training slides)
Learning to Work with Orphans and Vulnerable Children: Parenting and Supporting Families (Day 8 training slides)
Updated November 15, 2011
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