COVID-19 adaptation and national scale up, 2020–2021
Interruptions due to COVID-19 led to adaptations and changes to the design of the program to allow delivery amid COVID-19 meeting restrictions. COVID-19 meant that it was no longer possible for the community volunteers to convene caregivers for weekly meetings. Prior to program adaptation a COVID-19 baseline survey was conducted to understand the parenting needs, parent attitudes, and practices after the first national lockdown. The survey especially aimed to capture any impact of COVID-19 on the home environment and parents’ access to different remote delivery technology approaches. Phone-based interviews and, in some cases, face-to-face consultations were conducted with IZUs to gather their ideas on how to adapt the program to the new reality. Based on the results from this remote rapid evaluation the radio content was expanded to include a stronger emphasis on mental health and self-care, father engagement, gender, inclusion, and COVID-19 prevention and health. Radio became the primary delivery modality replacing face-to-face group meetings. The pandemic also made support to parents an even greater need than before which prompted the decision to make the radio component of the program available to all parents in Rwanda. Thus, the Radio component went to scale reaching all villages in Rwanda from October 2020. In the 3 districts of Gasabo, Ruhango, and Kirehe parents also received phone-based counseling and home visits when movement restrictions were eased. Coaching and mentoring of IZUs was also done remotely via phone. In addition to that, MoU technical partners like Help A Child encouraged and supported their beneficiaries to access and utilize the radio parenting sessions and COVID-19 parenting tips during the lockdown period. Key measurement for change activities, loops and decisions are summarized in First steps “Intera za Mbere” measurement for change loops and decisions.Key first steps “Intera za Mbere” monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) activities.