Fostering change to scale up proven reproductive health practices

Many effective practices in health and reproductive health/family planning are known but are not being scaled-up. In many cases, the connection between technical knowledge and known approaches for successful change is missing. Change is often unplanned, leading to failures in scale-up. In response to this challenge, the Implementing Best Practices (IBP) Initiative developed a proven pathway to foster change that guides teams through the introduction of a proven practice through going to scale. Management Sciences for Health (MSH) partnered with ExpandNet through the IBP Consortium to develop the Virtual Fostering Change Program (VFCP) using MSH's proven approach to blended learning, the IBP fostering change methodology, and ExpandNet's methodology for scaling-up. Teams select a best practice, then develop action plans to introduce the practice in their setting. Teams plan for going to scale from the beginning of the program and develop action plans for going to scale after the successful introduction of their best practice. Participating teams receive the support of facilitators throughout the process and each other as they share challenges and successes through the program.

This presentation will demonstrate how the VFCP can significantly increase the chances for success and sustainability as teams introduce, adapt, apply, and scale-up effective practices in health and family planning. The VFCP is currently being offered in French to teams in West Africa who are incorporating family planning into their post abortion care services and in English to teams from the Asia and Near East region addressing maternal and child health challenges.