About the MAQ Initiative

Former MAQ Subcommittees

Community Driven Quality (CDQ) Subcommittee

Co-Chairs: Robert Ainslie (JHUCCP)
Debbie Fagan (Save the Children)

Outputs:

1. Developed the CDQ framework (adapted from SAVE's work) which is being used as the framework for CDQ subcommittee.
2. CDQ MAQ exchange presentation used in MAQ exchanges worldwide.
3. A set of program/project profiles that provide a synopsis of CDQ programs currently being implemented (currently there are 7 profiles).
4. Participated and gave presentations at two MAQ Mini-Universities.
5. Draft set of CDQ indicators. These will be refined during the CDQ Day in January 2003 (see activities to come).
6. Bibliography of different resources and articles for CDQ.

Activities to come:

1. In January 2003, we are planning to have a CDQ Day that will showcase the results from 4-5 different CDQ projects, provide overviews on projects underway and then have practitioner roundtable discussions focusing on evaluation and indicators and lessons learned/challenges. We will also highlight different tools that are available for CDQ.
2. Based on the results of the CDQ day, we will be producing a paper on CDQ Best Practices.

Francophone Region Subcommittee

Purpose

• To consolidate efforts to implement MAQ practices and principles in 9 Francophone African countries
• To improve access to high quality reproductive health services in the region
• To focus on quality and access issues related to integration of family planning and STI/HIV/AIDS prevention services

Accomplishments

• Utilized a Francophone MAQ listserv to disseminate key documents in French (for example, Jim Shelton's contraceptive pearls, FHI monographs on the female condom)
• Sponsored Francophone MAQ Subcommittee members to participate in key conferences in West Africa (2002 PAC Conference, 2002 Dual Protection Meeting)
• Conducted desk review of FP/RH guidelines for Mali, Benin, Senegal, Niger
• Conducted follow-up interviews with providers in Niger, Benin, Senegal, and Mali to determine degree to which the guidelines have been disseminated and are being used at service delivery sites
• Published MAQ Bulletin for West Africa and Subcommittee report
• Established Francophone MAQ Subcommittee website as part of general MAQ website
• Translated selected MAQ Exchange modules into French and adapted them to country context for use in Haiti and Mali
• Conducted MAQ Exchanges in Haiti (May 2003) Mali (September 2003), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (December 2004)

Planned Activities

• Publish a report on results of the Francophone MAQ Regional Guidelines Study
• Translate USAID FP/HIV Technical Guidance – September 2003 document into French and post on MAQ website

Co-Chairs

Chris Davis - JHU/CCP
Boniface Sebikali - IntraHealth
Florence Carayon - Family Health International

Participating Organizations

Family Health International
IntraHealth
JHPIEGO
JHU/CCP
Population Council

Monitoring and Evaluation (M & E)

Co-Chairs: Jane Bertrand (JHU/CCP)
Tim Williams (JSI/SEATS)

The aim of the M & E Subcommittee is to develop a practical and inexpensive means of assessing the quality of care provided by family planning/reproductive health networks.

The M & E Subcommittee plans to:

1. identify a set of key quality indicators to measure those aspects of service delivery that are closely linked to FP/RH outcomes (e.g., contraceptive continuation and achievement of reproductive intentions) and complementary to the traditional indicators of quantity.
2. develop data collection instruments for the identified indicators and field-test them in collaboration with missions and local organizations in several countries.
3. publish a set of guidelines for applying the final approved set of indicators. The guidelines will be disseminated to USAID Missions, CAs and others working in the field to monitor and report on program quality.

Organization of Work Subcommittee

Co-Chairs: Allison Ellis (MSH)
Rashad Massoud (URC-CHS)

Mission Statement:

The purpose of the OOW Subcommittee is to:

1. conceptualize the topic;
2. capture what's known about organization of work based on evidence;
3. produce products (e.g., state-of-the-art paper, revised modules for the MAQ Exchange);
4. disseminate and apply effective technical assistance approaches and best practices.

Recent Activities (2002)

1. Presentation and discussion on OOW at the MAQ Mini-University, July 1, 2002. The presentation developed and facilitated by Marc Luoma, PRIME 2, and Jim Shelton, USAID, is available on the MAQ Web site.
2. First meeting of the OOW Sub-committee, July 2, 2002. In preparation for this meeting, PRIME 2 prepared a review of domestic literature regarding various elements of the OOW as an initial step in identifying principles and best practices. During the meeting, participants finalized the eight elements of OOW.
3. Second meeting of the OOW Sub-Committee, September 16, 2002. The purpose of the Sub-Committee was defined and principles for each element of OOW identified.

Planned Activities 2002-2003

1. The third meeting of the Sub-Committee is tentatively planned for December 2002. The draft agenda includes: continued identification of principles and best practices for OOW through a re-examination of the domestic literature review; discussion of additional evidence for each element of OOW; discussion of opportunities in the field where elements of OOW may be tested.
2. Key products the group plans to produce in the next 12 months are:
   1. revision of the MAQ Exchange module to reflect current thinking and evidence about OOW and provide information on appropriate tools and technical approaches that work
   2. preparation of a state-of-the-art paper (MAQ Working Paper) on OOW. The Sub-Committee, primarily Jim Shelton, is in the process of confirming the availability of a writer from the Population Information Program who will produce the draft outline and the draft paper under the guidance and direction of the Sub-Committee.

Meeting Minutes

• July 2, 2002
• Notes from September 20, 2002

Performance Improvement Consultative Group

Meeting Minutes:

• November 14, 2001
  
• Performance Improvement Journal: Read first-hand reports by colleagues of how USAID has adapted performance improvement models for use in developing countries, September 2003 Issue.

Policy, Advocacy, Communication and Education (PACE) Subcommittee

Co-Chairs: Susan Palmore (FHI)
Michelle Heerey (JHU/PCS)

PACE

The PACE Subcommittee plays an important role in promoting the field implementation of the MAQ Initiative by mobilizing leaders in the field through technical workshops and advocacy events, disseminating MAQ publications, strategies and success stories and by helping to incorporate state-of-the-art technical information into FP/RH service delivery guidelines.

Outputs:

1. Design, development, maintenance and promotion of MAQ website.

2. Drafted the publications Essentials of Contraceptive Technology and Do you know your Family Planning choices? - updated post Tiahrt. Both available on the MAQ website.

3. Members of PACE have been integral to all aspects of International Best Practices Consortium including:
   
   1. background doc
   2. advocacy kit
   3. meeting design and organization

Activities to come:

1. Developing a SOTA guidance document for knowledge management under the leadership of PACE member Ward Rinehart.

Technical Guidance/Competence (TG/C)

Co-Chairs: Marcia Angle (INTRAH); Douglas Huber (Pathfinder)

The primary purpose of the TG/C Subcommittee is to produce state-of-the-art technical guidance for the provision of FP/RH services in order to improve continuously the competence and performance of service providers according to state-of-the-art scientific standards.

The TG/C Subcommittee has succeeded in:

1. producing Recommendations for Updating Selected Practices in Contraceptive Use: Vol. I (1994). This publication provides up-to-date guidance for the provision of combined oral contraceptives, progestin-only injectables, Norplant and copper-bearing IUDs.
2. publishing Recommendations for Updating Selected Practices in Contraceptive Use: Vol. II (1997). Volume II covers methods not addressed in Vol. I (i.e., LAM, Natural Family Planning, use of OCs as Emergency Contraceptive Pills, voluntary surgical contraception, barrier methods, progestin-only pills, combined monthly injectables, etc.).
3. coordinating with and contributing to the WHO-led effort to draft Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (1996).
4. assisting in the development and publication of the JHU/PIP Essentials of Contraceptive Technology (1997).
5. developing the JHU/PIP "Do you know your family planning choices?" wall chart. This is a user-friendly job aid describing contraceptive methods, their advantages and any related health risks.