City Light Church and New Hope Children’s Home: A Case of Divestment

Better Care Network

This case study documents the complex process undertaken by a donor partner in Ireland* to push for the transition of their partner residential care service provider in Ghana. It follows their journey through the early stages of transition and eventually leads to their decision to divest of their funding and partnership.

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Transition Monitoring Tool

Hannah Won, Chad Irons, Better Care Network

The purpose of the tool is to assist technical support practitioners to closely track and monitor the progress of residential care services transitions they are involved in. It can be used as a workplan to guide the implementation of a transition strategy, allowing practitioners to identify relevant transition activities, set progress-related goals, and monitor progress against those goals.

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Child Sponsorship and Transition: Interview with Laura Horvath - Helping Children Worldwide

Better Care Network, Transforming Children's Care Collaborative, Helping Children Worldwide

In this interview, BCN’s Senior Technical Advisor, Rebecca Nhep, speaks with Laura Horvath, from Helping Children Worldwide, about the impact of child sponsorship programs on the transition of residential care services and post transition family strengthening programs.

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Divestment of Residential Care Services: Guidelines and Recommendations for Donors Supporting Residential Care Services

Rebecca Nhep, Hannah Won, Better Care Network

These guidelines have been written to guide donors and partners through the process of gathering information, making the decision to divest, securing buy-in internally for divestment, engaging with partners and stakeholders, developing a divestment plan, communicating that plan, and addressing any child safety concerns.

قترير الخلبرة المسااتلقة المعينة متمتف الأشااخاص ذوي الم:ق بحقوق الإنســﺎن، مولوكا - آن لمتمورد - يوند الإنســﺎن، مولوكا - آن لمتمورد - يوند ة

Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond - Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons with Albinism, United Nations General Assembly

 في ا اذهلترّرّ  قرد  الببنّا ةلتمتا   رلنامة  متمتا الأباا  ذوا يلمهق أحا قورلإتنا  وجهات   نظّ  ونتائج  مشــــــــّوت أح  مشــــــــتّا  وقوفــــــــةات أشــــــــا  نلتب ةا نم للتحدحاا تلنموة  والتمارب الحةاقةﺔ للأطفال ذوا ي

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A/79/175: Experta Independiente sobre el disfrute de los derechos humanos de las personas con albinismo, Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond - Las niñas y los niños con albinismo y el derecho a vivir en familia

Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond - Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons with Albinism, United Nations General Assembly

En el presente informe, la Experta Independiente sobre el disfrute de los derechos humanos de las personas con albinismo presenta diversas perspectivas, las conclusiones de un proyecto de investigación conjunta y recomendaciones para hacer frente a la difícil situación que viven a diario las niñas y los niños con albinismo y mejorar sus experiencias vitales en el contexto del derecho a vivir en familia.

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Доклад Независимого эксперта по вопросу об осуществлении прав человека людьми с альбинизмом Мулуки-Энн Мити-Драммонд

Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond - Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons with Albinism, United Nations General Assembly

В настоящем докладе Независимый эксперт по вопросу об осуществлении прав человека людьми с альбинизмом излагает точки зрения, результаты осу-ществления совместного исследовательского проекта и рекомендации по реше-нию повседневных проблем и улучшению жизненной ситуации детей с альби-низмом в контексте права на семейную жизнь.

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A/79/175: Report of the Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons with Albinism, Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond - Children with albinism and the right to a family life

Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond - Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons with Albinism, United Nations General Assembly

In the present report, the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism provides perspectives, the findings of a joint research project, and recommendations on improving the daily challenges and life experiences of children with albinism in the context of the right to a family life.

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A/79/175: Rapport de l’Experte indépendante sur l’exercice des droits de l’homme par les personnes atteintes d’albinisme, Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond - Enfants atteints d’albinisme et droit à une vie de famille

Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond - Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons with Albinism, United Nations General Assembly

Dans le présent rapport, l’Experte indépendante sur l’exercice des droits de l’homme par les personnes atteintes d’albinisme expose des points de vue ainsi que les conclusions d’un projet de recherche conjoint, et formule des recommandations pour atténuer les difficultés quotidiennes rencontrées par les enfants atteints d’albinisme et pour améliorer leurs conditions de vie, dans le contexte du droit à une vie de famille.

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Changing Profiles of Child Poverty: The Case of Uganda During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Margherita Squarcina, Alessandro Carraro - United Nations

This study examines the socioeconomic determinants of COVID-19-induced poverty among households with children in refugee-hosting districts of Uganda, comparing refugee and host households. It also investigates the role of social assistance in preventing poverty.

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Receipt of Parenting, Disability, Unemployment, and Other Income Support Payments in Persons Aged 16 to 33 Years – The Associations with Child Maltreatment

Emmanuel S. Gnanamanickam , Leonie Segal

This study was based in Southern Australia and aimed to examine the association between child maltreatment and the receipt of income support payments and the budgetary impact for persons 16 to 33 years.

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S/2024/443: Children and Armed Conflict in the Sudan

UN Secretary General

The report documents the effects of conflict on children in the Sudan, highlighting trends and patterns of the six grave violations against children, namely the recruitment and use of children, the killing and maiming of children, rape and other forms of sexual violence against children, attacks on schools, hospitals and protected persons in relation to schools and/or hospitals, a the abduction of children and the denial of humanitarian access.

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The Impact of Trauma on Child Trafficking Survivors

U.S. Department of State

This fact sheet was engages with experts, particularly those with lived experience of human trafficking, to provide expertise and input on the U.S. Department of State anti-trafficking policies, strategies, and products. The authors have a range of expertise related to human trafficking, marginalized communities, trauma recovery, education, mental health care, and survivor leadership.

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South African Early Childhood Review 2024

Ilifa Labantwana, the Children’s Institute at the University of Cape Town, the South African Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation in the Presidency, the South African Department of Basic Education; the Grow Great Campaign, DataDrive2030

The South African Early Childhood Review 2024 tracks data on the status of children under six years. 

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Cultural Imperatives on Indigenous Kinship Care Among the Poumai Naga Tribe in Manipur, India

Newlandson Samuel Angam

This study highlights the absence of intimate parental care due to many sociopolitical circumstances in India, which creates a vacuum in fostering early childhood care. The objectives were to determine the dilemmas faced by care providers in the limited resources division between their own and their kin’s child and the invisible social stigma associated with the tag of orphans.

Core Care Conditions for Children and Families: Implications for Policy and Practice

Timothy Moore

This working paper describes the core care conditions that young children, their parents / caregivers and their families need to flourish. The paper is intended for policymakers and practitioners in Australia who are designing and delivering services and supports to young children and their families.

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Using Participatory Methods to Develop and Implement Research on Historical Compulsory Social Measures and Placements in Switzerland

Patricia Lannen, Clara Bombach, Oskar G. Jenni

This study shows that, when researching historical compulsory social measures, the inclusion of formerly institutionalised individuals in development and implementation is not only feasible, but is of significant benefit to the quality of the research.

The Lifestories Project: Empowering Voices and Avoiding Harm—Ethics Protocol of a Long-Term Follow-Up Study of Individuals Placed in Infant Care Institutions in Switzerland

Patricia Lannen, Clara Bombach, Fabio Sticca, Heidi Simoni, Oskar G. Jenni

The current study assesses a protocol designed to mitigate risks in a population-based cohort of 246 individuals placed in care institutions as infants in a non-selective 60-year follow-up. In total, 116 (47%) individuals chose to participate, of whom 53 (55%) reported positive effects of participation such as the opportunity to fill some gaps in their life stories, to better deal with their past, and to understand previous family dynamics.

Development and Health of Adults Formerly Placed in Infant Care Institutions – Study Protocol of the LifeStories Project

Patricia Lannen, Hannah Sand, Fabio Sticca, Ivan Ruiz Gallego, Clara Bombach, Heidi Simoni, Flavia M. Wehrle, Oskar G. Jenni

This study uses data from a survey on the health and development of 420 children mostly under the age of three, placed in 12 infant care institutions between 1958 and 1961 in Zurich, Switzerland. The children exhibited significant delays in cognitive, social, and motor development in the first years of life. Moreover, a follow-up of a subsample of 143 children about 10 years later revealed persistent difficulties, including depression, school related-problems, and stereotypes.

Raised in Conditions of Psychosocial Deprivation: Effects of Infant Institutionalization on Early Development

Hannah Sand, Fabio Sticca, Dominique A. Eichelberger, Flavia M. Wehrle, Heidi Simoni, Oskar G. Jenni, Patricia Lannen

This study aimed to investigate developmental outcomes of children raised in institutions in Switzerland in conditions of psychosocial deprivation and to identify possible risk and protective factors at institutional and child levels.

Financial Analysis of Family-Type Care Services for Children with Disabilities

CCF Moldova

CCF Moldova conducted a comprehensive financial analysis of foster care services for children with disabilities to identify financial gaps for current foster carers and financial impediments that deter placement of children with disabilities in foster care. The report provides concrete recommendations to address gaps and cost implications of implementing new funding policies.

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RAPORTUL privind analiza financiară a serviciilor de îngrijire de tip familial a copiilor cu dizabilități

CCF Moldova

Serviciile alternative de tip familial sunt un element cheie în reforma sistemului de îngrijire a copilului în Moldova. Totuși, copiii cu dizabilități sunt, încă, sub-reprezentați în grupul de copii în familiile de asistenți parentali profesioniști și părinți-educatori din casele de copii de tip familie. Unul dintre obstacolele menționate de specialiștii în domeniu, de asistenții parentali profesioniști și părinții-educatori este sprijinul financiar insuficient, care limitează accesul copiilor cu dizabilități în servicii de tip familial.

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Adoption of an Evidence-Based Practice Approach In the Child and Family Care System In Europe: A Comparative Survey Study

Sonia Byrne, Ninoslava Pećnik, Isabel María Bernedo, Eliška Kodysova, Koraljka Modic Stanke, Javier de Frutos, María José Rodrigo

This study proposed a multicomponent model of implementation strategies to empirically examine the degree of adoption of evidence-based practice (EBP) at national, agency, and practitioner levels in a sample of 20 member countries of the European family support network.

Effects of Early Institutionalization Involving Psychosocial Deprivation on Cognitive Functioning 60 Years Later: Findings of the LifeStories Project

Hannah Sand, Fabio Sticca, Flavia M. Wehrle, Dominique A. Eichelberger, Heidi Simoni, Oskar G. Jenni, Patricia Lannen

The purpose of this longitudinal study conducted on institutionalized infants and toddlers in Switzerland from 1958 to 1961 and then 60 years later on the same group, is to investigate the effects of psychosocial deprivation on cognitive functioning in late adulthood.

Redefining Aid: The Journey from Child Sponsorship to Community Empowerment

Helping Children Worldwide

Melody Curtis, Laura Horvath, Jared Scheppman, and Kelly Strong discuss the journey from traditional child sponsorship models to a new paradigm that champions community empowerment. They also tackle the ethical dilemmas and strategic decisions that are reshaping the way we support vulnerable children around the world.

Leaving Sponsorship Behind - Pitfalls and Benefits

Helping Children Worldwide

Discover the unforeseen ripple effects of child sponsorship programs with Laura Horvath, Jared Scheppman, and Kelly Strong as they dissect the challenges and triumphs in philanthropy's evolving landscape. The guests in this episode reveal how well-intentioned aid can sometimes miss the mark, inadvertently creating dependencies that hobble the very communities they intend to uplift. They also analyze the intricacies of international aid, focusing on the necessary shift from quick fixes to sustainable, community-driven development.

Statements of Support for the Transition of Residential Care Services

Transitioning Residential Care Services Working Group

These statements can be used in donor facing advocacy efforts. The purpose of these statements are to demonstrate to donors that care experienced experts, advocates and networks are calling for care reforms, including for the transition of residential care services, so that children can access more appropriate services and be raised in families.

A avaliação e gestão de caso no contexto das reformas dos cuidados alternativos na África Oriental e Austral

Changing the Way We Care

Este artigo explora o papel da avaliação e gestão de caso no contexto das reformas do sistema de cuidados alternativos. Oferece princípios transversais de boas práticas, as etapas essenciais e descreve os fatores críticos envolvidos nas práticas de avaliação e gestão de caso eficazes. Baseando-se na literatura da região, o artigo visa fornecer uma orientação abrangente aos profissionais e às partes interessadas envolvidas nos cuidados, no bem-estar e na proteção das crianças. O anexo fornece detalhes dos recursos de avaliação e gestão de caso da região da África Oriental e Austral e também em outros lugares.

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La gestion de cas dans le contexte des réformes de la prise en charge en Afrique de l’Est et Afrique australe

Changing the Way We Care

Ce document explore le rôle de la gestion de cas dans le contexte des réformes de la prise en charge. Il propose des principes transversaux de bonnes pratiques, des étapes essentielles et décrit les facteurs critiques impliqués dans des pratiques efficaces de gestion de cas. S’appuyant sur la littérature de la région, ce document vise à fournir une orientation générale aux professionnels et aux acteurs impliqués dans la prise en charge, le bien-être et la protection de l’enfance. L’annexe fournit des détails sur les ressources en matière de gestion de cas dans la région de l’Afrique de l’Est et australe ainsi qu’au-delà.

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Case Management in the Context of Care Reform in Eastern and Southern Africa

Changing the Way We Care

This paper explores the role of case management in the context of care reforms. It offers cross-cutting principles of good practice, essential steps, and describes critical factors involved in effective case management practices. Drawing on literature from the Eastern and Southern Africa region and beyond, the paper aims to provide overarching guidance to professionals and stakeholders involved in children’s care, welfare, and protection. 

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"Care Conversations" ICB Podcast Episode #2: Niels Peter Rygaard

Uduyan Care

Niels Peter Rygaard, a leading child psychologist, sheds light on 'missing links' and growth-encouraging assessment methods in this episode of episode of Care Conversations: ICB Podcast. He explores the ways of connecting with children without parental care and ways to make small changes that create a large impact in the world of family strengthening and alternative care. 

Advancing Protection and Care for Children in Adversity: A U.S. Government Strategy for Children to Thrive 2024–2029

USAID

The Thrive Strategy incorporates updated evidence on children in adversity and their needs, and considers the ongoing impact of global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, spotlighting the polycrisis that children in adversity and families are experiencing.

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Unpacking Childrens' Involvement in Armed Conflict: The Current Context in the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America

CPC Learning Network, ChildFund Alliance, the Program on Forced Migration and Health at Columbia University, the Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict

This webinar was a panel conversation hosted by the CPC Learning Network, ChildFund Alliance, the Program on Forced Migration and Health at Columbia University, and the Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict that brought together a panel of experts to discuss the root causes leading to recruitment and involvement in activities of armed groups as well as the current context in countries such as Sudan, Colombia, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and more.

Family Matters: Growing up in Family-Based Care Makes a World of a Difference

Marian J. Bakermans-Kranenburg, Marinus H. van IJzendoorn

This article reviews a study conducted about child development in residential care, foster/kafalah care, and adoptive families. The authors of the study demonstrated that institutions cannot provide safe, stable, and shared care for children, and lead to substantial delays in their development, not only for physical health but also for mental health and neurocognitive growth.

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Podcast: Why the Move from Orphanages to Family Homes is an African Ideal - Revolutionizing Child Welfare in Sierra Leone

Helping Children Worldwide, Laura Horvath, Emmanuel M. Nabieu, Yasmine Vaughan, Melody Curtiss

Listen to transition support experts David Musa and Yatta Palmer of the Child Reintegration Centre (CRC) explain how transition is getting more children home to family and learn about the challenges, successes, and the powerful role of the CRC in revolutionizing child welfare in Sierra Leone.

Updated Checklist for the Integration of the Protection of Children Affected by Armed Conflict into CSDP Mission and Operations

Council of the European Union - Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management Politico-Military Group

Updated Checklist for the Integration of Protection of Children Affected by Armed Conflict into the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Missions and Operations

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EU Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflict

European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations

Originally published in 2018 and updated in 2024 defines the EU’s global approach to protecting children affected by wars. These guidelines are intended to serve as a practical tool to direct and assist EU actors throughout the world in their work on children and armed conflict, including other situations of armed violence by state and non-state actors, such as terrorist organisations and organised criminal groups.

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