Title: Training a model family
Course: Level 3 - Health Education and Promotion > Section: Conduct training for model family

Sessions Covered During the Training

- Theoretical session----theoretical training should be given with a simple language in ways that the participants can understand the concepts. Establish a good relationship to encourage and praise the training participants and give a time for questions and answers or discussion...and it is good for assessment of the current understanding level of the trainees.
- Practical session-----a Health Extension practitioner should encourage learning by doing. i.e., the participants should be given a chance to exercise what they have learned. For example, the demonstration on latrine construction, pit construction for waste disposal, food preparation, etc. a Health Extension practitioner should visit a volunteer model family and observe while he/she is performing. Moreover, strict supervision and corrections on the procedures should be considered. Finally, a Health Extension practitioner should inform the model household to show after performing the expected activity or the procedures within at least one to two weeks.

Duration of the training----the duration of training will be decided in discussion with the training participants (the model family). However, training should be conducted two days per a week or for three hours per day. In this regard, the training should be given for a total of ninety-six hours within four months.

Monitoring of the performance of the model family----a health extension worker should follow-up both the theoretical and practical effect on the training participants. The follow up should be done by directly visiting the household at least once in a week after the end of the training session. Therefore, a health extension worker should follow-up at least 12-15 model households per day or 60-75 households per a week to assess the effect of a demonstration at their home in the presence of a husband or wife). The monitoring checklist should be prepared in two copies to undergo monitoring, one for the model family/household, posted on the wall where the supervisor can see. On the other hand, the other copy should be retained in the hands of the health extension worker and should be put on the records in the health post.

Table 12.5 Performance Monitoring Checklist for the Model Family

Name of the head of the household____________ kebele_______ health extension worker
Name of the trainer______________ Number of family members______ Name of the cell_____
Date of the training________________________

 | Husband/Wife Name | Type of Change Observed | Remark
Good | Fair | Poor
1 |  |  |  |  |
2 |  |  |  |  |
3 |  |  |  |  |
4 |  |  |  |  |
5 |  |  |  |  |
6 |  |  |  |  |
7 |  |  |  |  |
8 |  |  |  |  |
9 |  |  |  |  |
10 |  |  |  |  |

Graduation of the model family---they will be graduated as soon as the end of the training exactly after one month's later. However, they should attend 75% or more time and the health extension worker also need to select them depending on their attendance as well as performance level for their graduation. (Box 12.7)

The graduation certificate will be given after the successful completion of the following two activities:

A. Practical Exam (Assessment of the Acquired Skills)

a. Construction and utilisation of latrine.
b. Construction and utilisation of energy saving equipment such as local stove.
c. Construction of the separate dwelling for cattle and other animals.
d. Personal hygiene and sanitation.
e. Construction and utilisation of equipment/articles/utensil shelf
f. Good handling practices of water.
g. The successful completion of all the maternal and child immunizations.
h. Utilizations of family planning services
i. Utilisation of the insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs)

C. Oral Exam (Assessment of Acquired Knowledge)-----the trained model family will be asked not more than five questions, and he/she would be expected to give a correct answer for at least three questions. The questions are prepared and asked to assess the current knowledge of the trainee. The supervisor from the woreda will also attend the assessment process.

2. Implementation Strategy for the Model Family Packages

a. Promote and strengthen community participation.
b. Promote and strengthen inter-sectoral collaboration with other developmental organisations.
c. Develop commitment and accountability which gives awareness and skills for works at different levels.
d. Arrange appropriate time and place for community meetings.
e. Accept feedbacks from the community.
f. Capacity building activities for community health workers.
g. Develop good professional ethics.
h. Listen, learn and work with the community.
i. Develop problem-solving skills.
j. Practice of voluntary counselling and blood test for HIV/AIDs.
k. The practice of exclusive breast feeding.
l. Develop the spirit of team work.

What Activities Are Expected at the Health Post Level Regarding the Model Family Package?

- Encouraging others to be the part of model family package
- Sharing the best experiences and activities of the model family members for the community members who come to the health post with easily preventable communicable diseases

3. Implementation the Principles of the Model Family Package

a. Understanding and respecting the way of life and traditional customs, and beliefs of the community.
b. Exchange of greetings and positive interactions with the community anywhere and at any time.
c. Introducing the specific objectives and activities to the community and promoting involvement.
d. Using the local knowledge, skills and resources.
e. Creating the spirit of self-reliance and self-determination on the program.

Model family training and graduation