Monday, April 6, 2015

PROJECT PROPOSAL: ESTABLISHING NDRC BOHOL


07  April 2015

Dear All,

This is to submit to you as promised the 3rd draft of our proposal that we establish in Bohol an entity similar to the New Day Recovery Center (NDRC) in Davao City.

This 3rd draft has been the result of our consultations with colleagues in Davao City, with some of you in various informal and formal meetings and the research we have conducted during the past six months on the operations of drug rehabilitation centers and mental health facilities in the Philippines and several countries.

I hope you will continue to find the time and motivation to read this third draft as I now submit it to the Diocese of Tagbilaran which has requested us to expand an earlier proposal given to them. This initiative is consistent with current pronouncements of our beloved Pope Francis that we walk with the poor, rather than only cite the Scriptures, in showing our love for them.

We hope to receive your feedbacks and comments soonest to improve the draft and then proceed to present a revised draft to you and the other stakeholders so that we can move on from advocacy to real action to address social problems brought about by this new scourge affecting our beloved province and most places in our country. Once we have the 4th draft based on your comments, we will request the Diocese to convene a formal consultative meeting so that we can be guided on the next steps ahead.

Always yours for a better world,

NESTOR M. PESTELOS
President

PROECT TITLE:
Establishing the New Day Recovery Center (NDRC) Bohol

PROPONENT:
Diocese of Tagbilaran

CONVENOR/COORDINATOR:
Bohol Local Development Foundation, Inc.

PARTNER AGENCIES:
NDRC Davao
Holy Name University
Kasing-Sining Association
Provincial Government of Bohol

1.0       BACKGROUND/
            RATIONALE

The New Day Recovery Center (NDRC) patterned after a similar facility in Davao City has been proposed to be built in Bohol to ensure that a multi-pronged approach be adopted to cope with social problems created by the alarming increase in illegal use of drugs mostly among young people.

NDRC Bohol will combine community-based approaches with cost-effective clinical methods and a humanitarian and eclectic strategy, including the provision of livelihood opportunities and the use of culture and the arts, to deal with drug abuse which threatens social stability in many local communities.

A mental health facility is envisioned to be part of the proposed institution. Bohol, with a 1.2 million population, has no drug rehabilitation center and mental health facility. Family members affected with drug and alcohol addiction,  as well as those with mental health problems, have to be brought to Cebu, Davao, Manila and Tagaytay City in Cavite province for their treatment. Indigent families in the province have difficulty seeking treatment for their affected members on account of the high costs involved.

Likewise, Psychology students in Bohol have to spend more money to go to these institutions for their practicum and case management studies

Initial steps have been taken by a non-profit, SEC-registered NGO, the Bohol Local Development Foundation (BLDF), to consult with various sectors on how best to cope with problems brought about by the fact that more than 50% of crimes committed in the province are drug-related. Alcoholism is getting to be rampant. Mental health cases have also been noted to be on the rise.  All these are due mainly to stresses brought about by rapid urbanization and the influx of foreign tourists in recent years.  

The proponent and its key partners agree that multi-sectoral efforts have to be exerted to cope with social problems caused by increasing cases of drug abuse and the rise in the number of people who need counselling and psycho-social services.

Moreover, it has been recognized that without community involvement, without local communities and families accepting their role in the prevention, pre-treatment and treatment phases of drug demand reduction/elimination, it will be difficult to ensure early diagnosis and full family and community reintegration after treatment and rehabilitation.

The key partners of NDRC Bohol have also seen the need to provide livelihood opportunities to households affected by the problems related to drug abuse and mental health to further ensure project sustainability. Engagement of NDRC clients in livelihood activities can also be part of treatment and rehabilitation to further ensure reintegration into normal community and family life after the rehabilitation phase.

1.1       Guiding Principles

As a drug rehabilitation center, NDRC Bohol will be guided by the following principles advocated by the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crimes (UNDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO):

1.1.1        Drug dependence is a complex and multifactorial disorder involving individual, cultural, biological, social and environmental factors.
1.1.2        Drug dependence is as much a disorder of the brain as any other neurological or psychiatric illness.
1.1.3        One of the main barriers to treatment and care is the stigma and discrimination associated with this treatable health disorder.
1.1.4        Drug dependence treatment needs a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach including both pharmacological and psychosocial interventions.
1.1.5        Drug dependence can be treated effectively with low-cost medications and standardized psychological therapies.

The proposed drug rehabilitation and mental health facility will adhere to the Manual of Operations of the DOH Manual of Operations of the Philippine Government as well as guidelines prescribed by the United Nations, through its mandated bodies, such as the UN Office for Drugs and Crimes (UNDC) and WHO, the Colombo Plan Secretariat, among other agencies. 

2.0         OBJECTIVES

2.1       To provide diversified, effective and quality drug dependence treatment   and rehabilitation 
             services, including care and treatment of those with   mental health problems.

2.2         To identify and remove barriers to low-cost, effective and evidence- based drug treatment 
              services in ways that also ensure the financial    viability and sustainability of program and 
               administrative operations in the provision of services.

3.0     STRATEGY        

To achieve these objectives, the Project will implement the following multi-pronged strategy:

3.1   Program Development

3.1.1   Advocacy

The Project will promote a sound understanding of drug dependence treatment and care (including matters related to mental health) and the recognition of both as a health disorder that requires a multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach.

3.1.2        Capacity Building
The Project will impart or enhance the technical skills and capacity of drug dependence treatment and care service providers at provincial and sub-provincial levels through a "train the trainers" approach.
It will mobilize and train a mobile team of trainers at provincial or diocese level and ensure that a Drug Dependence Treatment Training Package is in place as support to the operations of the Outreach and Drop-in Center ODIC), which will be known as the New Day Community Centers (NDCCs) as first contact point between the family and the NDRC Bohol.
NDRC Davao staff, their  Master Trainers and counterparts at national and international levels,  all experts on drug dependence treatment, will lead the training of trainers at provincial level, who in turn train the service providers at the NDRC Bohol and its satellite NDCCs.
3.1.3        Service Improvement
The Project will support the development and improvement or maintenance of evidence-based treatment and care services to ensure high-quality services at the NDRC and the local NDCC level.
It will mobilize a network of relevant government agencies, primary health care services, universities and NGOs that will disseminate evidence-based good practice in drug dependence and mental health services and ensure accessibility to treatment, as well as post-treatment  social integration and rehabilitation.
The Project will help develop client-specific quality standards.
3.2       Financial Sustainability
3.2.1  NDRC Davao will manage NDRC Bohol as business enterprise to ensure
            the financial sustainability of the project. NDRC clients will be charged
            fees as is the practice in the counterpart facility in Davao City. The   
            management will exercise functions as befit a commercial entity as
            NDRC Bohol to ensure financial viability for the enterprise.

3.2.2  BLDF and its partners will raise funds or engage in livelihood or social    
           enterprises to be able to refer and support clients from indigent families   
           to avail of services at NDRC.

3.3     Infrastructure Development

This will consist of several components:

3.3.1  A Residential Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (In-patient Center)     
           with an initial capacity of 30 persons/beds that provides comprehensive   
           rehabilitation services utilizing, among others, any of the accepted  
           modalities: Multi-disciplinary Team Approach, Therapeutic Community
           Approach, and/or Spiritual Services towards the rehabilitation of the
           dependent.

3.3.2  A Psychiatric Care Facility (initial capacity: 30 persons/beds) for patients 
           exhibiting psychosis as a result or consequence of dangerous drug use.

3.3.3  Support Facilities to consist of the following:

·         Dormitory for parents of clients
·         Canteen or mess hall for patients and guests
·         Staff quarters
·         Pharmacy
·         Gymnasium
·         Multi-purpose activity center (to include facilities for cultural
       shows, games, etc.




Note:   For these facilities, NDRC Davao and the Pestelos Family have agreed to use 9,000 sq.m. property owned by the Pestelos Family in Laya adjacent to the Balay Kahayag Retreat House and Training Center.

Specific terms and conditions will be discussed in more detail later among the parties involved.

3.3.4   A network of Drop-in centers, to be known as satellite New Day Drop-In    
           Centers (NDCCs) will be established in Barangay Chapels or Parishes and 
           later in Barangay Health Centers, Hospitals or Clinics, government or
           private.

           These local NDCCs will fill an urgent need for a community-based facility
           with trained and committed staff to serve as initial contact with local
           communities and households if they want to access information and
           services related to drug dependence and other addictions, as well as
           behavior arising from mental health problems. encounter problems
           related to drug abuse

           The NDCCs will be responsible at barangay or local level for the following
           activities:

·         Consultation and evaluation
·         Screening and assessment
·         Case management
·         Enhancing awareness such as conducting symposium, seminars
      and workshops in the community

Staffing: At least, one paid staff at each Drop-In Center accountable to the supervising or senior officer, e.g. the Parish Priest; head of the host government agency or NGO.

If budget will allow, a trained assistant; trained volunteers and community facilitators will be needed if potential clients will increase.

The paid staff and volunteers will be trained on: how to use the Assessment and Screening Tools; knowledge and skills in presenting the nature of addiction.

Preferably, the paid staff should be a Psychology graduate or Social Worker.  

3.Creation/Development of a New Day Village to consist of the
Following Sub-components:

3.4.1 A Livelihood Center (to be developed as the New Day Community
          College in the future) and an organic farm to engage NDRC clients in 
          productive activities as part of their therapy or as half-way resource
          center prior to their full integration to their communities and families so
          they will be equipped with employable  or entrepreneurship skills.
3.4.2 The New Day Community Theatre (NDCT) will complement on-site
           presentations by Kasing Sining. It will serve as its regular venue for
           cultural shows , workshops, interactive fora and other advocacy
           presentations. At various stages of the healing process, NDCT will also
           feature presentations of clients whenever it is appropriate or feasible to
           do so.

           NDCT will offer regular shows designed to raise awareness about issues
           relevant to advocacy themes and treatment and post-treatment issues
           and help raise awareness about the respective roles of stakeholders in
           the healing process.

3.4.3  The New Day Volunteers Resource Center (NDVRC)  

        The Project will implement a systematic recruitment and deployment of     
         volunteers to serve in NDRC Bohol and the various NDDCs that will be
         organized at local level.

         Universities and Colleges in Bohol will be encouraged to establish a
         Volunteers Resource Center to ensure a common pool of information
         officers with skills to recruit and train youth volunteers.

         An Inter-Faith Youth Council will be organized to support the NDVRC.    

Note: The New Day Village and its components will be created on a 1.2-ha. property in Manggool, San Isidro, Baclayon, the use of which will be donated free by the Gilay Family through BLDF.

4.0  SUGGESTED ROLES OF THE INITIAL KEY PARTNERS

4.1       DIOCESE OF TAGBILARAN

The Diocese, which oversees 50% of the parishes in the province, will take a lead role in providing guidance through the New Day Drop-In Centers (NDCCs) for those needing psycho-social services and care. It will oversee the administration and management of the NDCCs which will be organized with the technical advice by NDRC Davao and support provided by the other key partners.

It will make available lay persons and church volunteers who will be trained on providing initial consultation and referral services to family members seeking help on their problems regarding drug and alcohol addiction and mental health problems.

It will make available priests and lay leaders to serve as resource persons in planning and implementing the faith-based components of psycho-social services.

The Diocese will encourage parishioners and donors to raise funds to ensure that potential NDRC clients coming from poor families get adequate counselling and treatment services as required. It will help provide funding for infrastructure development and the provision of funds for the initial two years of operations by NDRC Bohol.

4.2       NDRC DAVAO

NDRC Davao will serve as manager of NDRC Bohol with other stakeholders and/or sponsors serving as members of a Board or a Management Committee.

NDRC Davao is a noted rehabilitation and psychological services facility with a pool of medical experts in the field. It is part of an international network of similar institutions

NDRC Davao will run the new facility as a private sector or commercial undertaking to ensure financial sustainability. Its use of the land and other resources made available through donations from other stakeholders will be subject to terms and conditions that to be discussed later with the parties involved.

4.3       HOLY NAME UNIVERSITY

HNU will assign interns and volunteers from among its faculty and students
in Psychology, Social Sciences and Human Resources Management. It will participate in the activities of NDRC Bohol through its membership in appropriate committees to be created under NDRC Bohol.

Through these committees, HNU can mutually enrich its instruction, research and extension programs as it contributes to implementing the mission of NDRC Bohol to broaden the outreach of its prevention and treatment services to affected families among the relatively disadvantaged sections of the population.

4.4       KASING SINING

This Association of cultural workers in various fields will ensure that cultural presentations and creative methodologies will be used effectively to convey pertinent developmental messages to achieve behavioral change objectives among families and communities as part of the healing process.

Through its cultural shows , workshops, interactive fora and other advocacy presentations, KS will exert efforts to reinforce awareness, further enhance and facilitate cooperation of families and communities in the overall healing process for drug dependents and those with mental illnesses.

4.5       PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF BOHOL

The Provincial Government of Bohol will provide support to ensure that the various LGUs and national agencies with programs and services in Bohol provide the needed support for the smooth operations of the NDRC Bohol and the various NDDCs.

It will mobilize funding and technical support as it sees fit for both the infrastructure and program requirements of NDRC Bohol and its Drop In Centers.

It will ensure that LGUs allocate funds to support the objective of opening access to NDRC services to the relatively more disadvantaged families, groups  and communities in the province. 

4.6     BOHOL LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, INC. (BLDF)

Bohol Local Development Foundation, Inc. (BLDF) and its predecessor organization, the UNICEF-assisted Ilaw International Center (IIC), have a combined experience of more than thirty years in efforts to address poverty in Bohol.

Over the years, BLDF has conceptualized, field-tested and replicated methodologies, systems and tools to enhance partnership with local communities and various types of institutions and organizations in poverty reduction projects. Some of these innovative processes and pro-poor planning tools (Poverty Database and Monitoring System; Ilaw ng Buhay or Light of Life philosophy and approach to development adopted globally by UNICEF in the 1980s; integrated area-based methodology) have been replicated in diverse cultural and socio-economic context both in the Philippines and abroad.

In the wake of the magnitude 7.2 earthquake which hit Bohol on 15 October 2013, BLDF implemented a community-based shelter assistance project to enable families to build transitional core houses and move their vulnerable members (the elderly, children and women, the disabled and sick) from the tents and makeshift structures to relatively safer and more secure dwellings.

With funds raised from concerned individuals and private institutions, BLDF was able to help build 150 core houses in several remote villages of Calape, Antequera, Maribojoc and Baclayon. With the announcement in August, 2014 that the Government and Habitat for Humanity have available funding to build 6,000 permanent homes for the homeless, BLDF shifted its program focus the promotion of informal employment and sustainable livelihood among the youth, particularly those who are out of school or those in Alternative Learning Systems (ALS).

In less than a year of implementing projects for the out-of-school youth, BLDF has become convinced that a comprehensive approach is needed to address the social problems posed by the increasing use of illegal drugs particularly among the youth.  This drug abuse problem, along with alcoholism and mental illnesses, if unchecked, will negate in the process, the gains made over several decades in development efforts by the Government, its partners and the international donors.  

BLDF has sought to be part of the evolving plans and programs to address the social problems posed by the growing drug menace in Bohol. Otherwise, the achievements in combatting poverty in the province will be for naught. Hence it initiated dialogues with key sectors in formulating a response to this major concern.

BLDF will make available for the use of the proposed NDRC Bohol the following:

a) 9,000 sq. m. property in Laya, Baclayon for infrastructure
      development of the proposed NDRC Bohol; and

b) 1.2 ha. property in sitio Mangool, San Isidro, Baclayon for the livelihood
      component of  the proposed NDRC Bohol 

Specific terms and conditions will be prepared with NDRC Davao in the use of these two properties.

It is proposed that BLDF, on account of its track record in development and the key initiatives it has taken with respect to this Project, perform the role of Project Manager on behalf of the proponent agency, the Diocese of Tagbilaran.

5.0  Organization and Management/Institutional Arrangements

5.1   Project Oversight Committee (POC)

Key task:  To provide overall policy direction and liaise with other stakeholders and donors/supporters of the project.

Composition:

 Representatives of key partners, namely:

-Bohol Local Development Foundation, Inc. (BLDF)
-NDRC Davao
-Diocese of Tagbilaran City
-Holy Name University
-Kasing Sining
-Provincial Government of Bohol

Note: Other organizations may have a representative to the Project Oversight Committee depending on the consensus of the initial key members.

2.0  Project Management Committee (PMC)

Key Task: To provide day-to-day management to the implementation of the Overall Work Plan as approved by the POC.

Composition:

2.1   Project Manager
2.2   Deputy Project Manager/Head of Project Secretariat
2.3   Head, Advocacy and Fund Raising Group (AFRG)
2.4   Head, Technical Working Group (TWG)
2.5   Head, Infrastructure Advisory Group  (IAG)

   3.0   Project  Secretariat (PS)

    Key Task: To provide staff support to the PMC in the performance of day-to-
                      day  tasks

     Composition:

      3.1  Coordinator
      3.2 1 IT Specialist/Researcher/Documentor
1 Secretary/Receptionist  
      3.4  1 Bookkeeper
      3.5 1 Driver/Utility

      Note: These are all paid staff.

     4.0  Advocacy and Fund Raising Group

Key Task:  To prepare and implement an Advocacy and Fund Raising Plan
                    in support of NDRC Bohol and its satellite Drop-In Centers

            Composition:  The PMC will appoint the Head of this group, composed of
                                       the various entities, agencies/organizations in soliciting
                                       funds or donations primarily to create a Social   
                                       Fund/Trust Fund to enable access to quality services
                                       from NDRC by clients from indigent families.

             Note: The Project Management Committee (PMC)  will provide
                       guidelines on the conduct of the Advocacy and Fund Raising
                       Campaign taking into account transparency and accountability in
                       all financial transactions.

     5.0  Technical Working Group  (TWG)

     Key Task: To coordinate closely with NDRC Davao regarding training
                        activities, methodologies, tools used in the provision of psycho- 
                        social services, treatment and non-treatment services,
                        consultations and diagnosis, referral activities undertaken at
                        NDRC Bohol and its satellite Drop-In Centers

      Composition:

       Representatives from academic and other institutions with psycho-social       
       services, Psychology courses, or institutions involved in counselling.

       Consultants may be  as needed  from National and Regional agencies, as
       well as  international organizations such as  the Colombo Plan, World
       Health Organization, United Nations on Drugs and Crimes and International
       NGOs to provide technical advice on NDRC Bohol operations.

3rd Draft, NDRC Bohol Project
Prepared by:
Nestor M. Pestelos, President, BLDF
07 April 2015/8.31 a.m.
Note: 

ANNEXES STILL BEING PREPARED:

1.0  Budgetary requirements for the Initial 3 Years of the Project  to cover:

1.1  Mobilization fund to establish office, project support staff, solicitation of
       investments and/or donations, start advocacy and fund campaign;
       orientation and training of initial core teams of trainers and community
       facilitators/mobilizers
1.2  Infrastructure requirements
1.3  Establishment of Drop-In Centers, initially one for each of the 10 rapidly-
        urbanizing municipalities
1.4  Preparation, printing and distribution of NDRC Briefing Kits
1.5  Start-up campaigns using both established and social media

2.0  Designs and costing of:
2.1  initial 5 Drop-In Centers within Year 1 to fast-track the
       systematic access to information and services related to drug dependence,
       alcoholism and to identify those needing more advanced treatment after
        initial consultation and diagnosis
2.2  Drug Rehabilitation Center facility and Mental Health Facility to compose
       the proposed NDRC Bohol
2.3  Establishment of a 1.2 ha. Livelihood and Volunteers Resource Center to
       complement the programs of NDRC Bohol
 3.0  Guidelines of DOH on the establishment of drug rehab centers
 4.0  Organizational chart for NDRC Bohol and the Drop-In Centers for each
       selected Parish, government office or partner NGO hosting the facility
 5.0  Memorandum of Support from the Provincial Government and the other
       LGUs, other Government agencies, academic institutions, private sector or
       commercial/business firms, Mass Media, civic organizations and faith-based  

       groups 

1 comment: