Engaging with new models of care brings many unknowns. Will children be cared for well? How will donors and partners respond? Will we succeed? It can be a very uncertain time for a program.
To remove some of the mystery, the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), in partnership with Hope and Homes for Children and the Faith to Action Initiative, developed an experiential workshop centered around the fictional case study of an orphanage preparing to move the children in their care to family care. This workshop was created to provide a safe and encouraging space for those involved in residential care to think through the process of a transition toward providing family-base care. Workshop participants were guided through activities and discussions to plan and implement a transition for the fictional organization, Precious Children of Hope Children’s Home (PCHCH). The material was adapted from workshop exercises created by Dr. Delia Pop.
Engaging with a fictional case study allows participants to explore the components of the transition process, while eliminating the need to immediately consider the emotional complexities that can come with imagining a reshaping of their program. They are able to learn, wrestle with, and adapt new information, and reflect on what is possible and helpful for children in their care. With the guidance of experienced group leaders, as well as group discussions, they are given the opportunity to create a plan for next steps in their program.
This resource is free for use by organizations or individuals seeking to explore or learn more about expanding family care options for children. Users can translate or contextualize for cultural appropriateness, while leaving basic components intact. The workshop creators do request that participants complete a feedback survey, as this allows for continued refinement of this tool.
Access the toolkit here.
