WELCOME

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in conjunction with its interagency working group The PAC Connection, has launched this e-newsletter to provide a forum for sharing and exchanging information on USAID-funded work on postabortion care (PAC).

The purpose of this publication is to:

• Share programmatic experiences and research results relevant to PAC programs.
• Update readers on the USAID Global PAC Resource Package, including materials for PAC programs, such as policy documents and training materials.
• Exchange information about events in Washington and in the field.

SUMMER 2012

IN THIS ISSUE

PAC Connection: Who We Are, What We Do
The PAC Connection, established in 2008, is the interagency working group of USAID-funded postabortion care programs. The PAC Connection is open to all USAID-funded organizations and USAID Missions that are currently implementing or interested in starting PAC programs. Read more.

Highlights from the Global PAC Resource Package
The Global PAC Resource Package is a comprehensive, standardized, scientifically accurate, and evidence-based repository of basic instruments intended for policymakers and program planners who are designing or revising their current PAC program. Read more.

NEW RESOURCES

USAID Postabortion Care Curriculum
A review of existing curricula for the Global PAC Resource Package demonstrated that programs needed a global, evidence-based curriculum to adapt for use in their countries. In keeping with the goal of the USAID PAC Working Group to produce evidence-based materials for postabortion care, this curriculum has been developed and field-tested in three different country contexts. This curriculum is adapted from the Kenya 2002 PAC curriculum developed by the Ministry of Health, and incorporates the strong evidence on postabortion care, provider job aids and client information. Read more.

USAID’s High-Impact Practice (HIP) Brief on Postabortion Family Planning (FP)
The USAID Research and Technology Division, with technical assistance from the USAID PAC Working Group, recently released a HIP brief on postabortion FP entitled “Postabortion Family Planning: Strengthening the Family Planning Component of Postabortion Care.” Postabortion FP has been identified as one of several FP-related HIPs. The HIP brief on postabortion FP is provides persuasive evidence regarding the importance and impact of postabortion FP services provided at the same time and in the same location as emergency treatment services. Read more.

USAID Global Postabortion Care Desk Review
In 2011, a desk review was completed to assess the level of achievement in implementing the five-year PAC Strategy and to make recommendations about areas requiring future investment. Some achievements include the development of successful models for expanding PAC and the development and dissemination of standardized tools for PAC and joint statement endorsed by USAID/FIGO/ICM/ICN, and WHO’s recognition of PAC as a best practice. Read more.

MEETINGS & CONFERENCES

Special Session on Postabortion FP at International Family Planning Conference: “Postabortion Family Planning: What’s Working in Africa”
Approximately 100 people attended the USAID-sponsored The PAC Connection Special Session on Postabortion Family Planning preconference meeting, which took place November 29, 2011, prior to the 2011 International Conference on Family Planning in Dakar, Senegal. Presentations addressed three main themes:

1. Strengthening postabortion FP service delivery
2. Creating demand for postabortion FP from within the community
3. Fostering an enabling environment in which supportive policies permit and encourage the scale-up of interventions

Read more about this session.

CALLING ALL READERS

We welcome your feedback and suggestions for articles or information you would like to see featured in this newsletter, as well as article submissions from The PAC Connection partners. We encourage you to share this newsletter with partners in the field who are implementing or may be interested in implementing PAC programs.

To subscribe or submit comments or suggestions, please contact Lissette Bernal-Cruz (lbernal@engenderhealth.org) at the The PAC Connection Secretariat.

Many thanks to Laura Raney, of FHI 360, and Diane Bushley for their work in compiling the content for this first issue.