Case Management Process for Restitution Process and Assurance of the Rights of Children and Adolescents Pause and Reflection Results Report, September 2020

The program aimed to enhance the quality and coverage of services provided by ICBF, with a focus on case management practices among protection teams in Region A and Region B. A baseline assessment was conducted in 2018 using the USAID Case Management Model to evaluate the practices of professionals in their case management actions at the macro- and micro-level. The assessment identified areas for improvement, including evaluation of family participation in interventions, case management supervision structures, and human resources management. Following the baseline assessment, a training cycle was launched focused on care for children and their families, with an emphasis on the components of case management. The training series, led by HRH2030, took place from November 2019 to August 2020. Nine months after the start of the training cycle, a pause and reflect exercise was conducted to measure and compare the practices initially identified during the baseline with those currently practiced by the protection teams. The pause and reflect exercise consisted of a quantitative survey and qualitative focus group discussions. The survey was designed to measure components of case management service delivery, using a selection of the same baseline questions. The focus group sessions were conducted to obtain more in-depth data on the changes of perception and knowledge of the protection teams. The results of the pause and reflect exercise showed improvements in most dimensions, including family functioning, supervisory structures, human resources, and policies, regulations, norms, and standards. The quantitative survey data indicated an average increase of 45% for the five statements related to family functioning compared to the baseline. The focus group discussions highlighted the strengths of the case management approach, identified evidence of its impact in the care of children and their families, and suggested opportunities for improvement. One dimension showed a decrease in the results: legal authorities. The results highlighted the need to establish a team to monitor the actions and decisions taken by protection team members. The pause and reflect exercise was intended to inform future activities and identify opportunities to adapt approaches moving forward. The final endline assessment will include a larger sample comparable to the baseline participant selection. The pause and reflect exercise demonstrated the effectiveness of the case management training series in improving the quality of care provided by the protection teams. The results showed that the training series had a positive impact on the practices of the protection teams, particularly in areas such as family functioning, supervisory structures, and human resources management. The exercise also highlighted the need for continued support and capacity building to ensure the sustainability of the improvements achieved. The program's success can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of HRH2030, ICBF, and the protection teams. The training series was designed to promote collective learning, group participation, and transformative practices. The pause and reflect exercise provided an opportunity for the protection teams to reflect on their practices, identify areas for improvement, and suggest opportunities for future growth. The results of the pause and reflect exercise have implications for the future of the program. The need to establish a team to monitor the actions and decisions taken by protection team members highlights the importance of accountability and oversight in the case management process. The exercise also underscores the need for continued support and capacity building to ensure the sustainability of the improvements achieved. The program's focus on case management practices has contributed to the strengthening of the case management process for restitution and assurance of the rights of children and adolescents in Colombia. The results of the pause and reflect exercise demonstrate the effectiveness of the training series in improving the quality of care provided by the protection teams. The program's success serves as a model for future initiatives aimed at strengthening the case management process in Colombia and beyond.