Developing and Evaluating Theory-Based Messages to Promote Foster Care

Sofia Ferreira, João Graça, Eunice Magalhães

Foster care is the preferred out-of-home placement for children at risk. However, the number of children in child protection systems exceeds the availability of foster families, highlighting the need for recruitment campaigns. Despite the growing development of such campaigns, their results have not been evaluated. This study aimed to design and experimentally evaluate messages to increase awareness, willingness, and intention to foster in Portugal.

Institutions: accountability as a key to reforming children’s alternative care

Jennifer Davidson

Drawing on the panel and discussions at the Global Study’s Global Conference on Justice for Children Deprived of Liberty 2024 Geneva event, this chapter outlines key elements required for deinstitutionalisation for effective children’s care reforms that are accountable to children. It proposes a two-pronged approach of systems change reforms reinforced by accountability mechanisms to achieve this for children in institutions specifically for care purposes.

Bridging Gaps in Grandparenting: Kinship Navigator Programs Mitigate Sociodemographic Disparities in Caregiving Challenges of Informal Kinship Placement: A Latent Class Analysis

Hung-Peng Lina, Angelique G. Daya, Emiko A. Tajimaa, et. al.

This study investigates how Kinship Navigator Programs (KNPs) help mitigate disparities in caregiving challenges faced by informal kinship caregivers (especially grandparents) of maltreated children. Using Latent Class Analysis, the research identifies three distinct patterns of caregiving challenges: financial, child's behavioral/emotional health, and intergenerational family dynamics. 

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Solomon Islands Child and Family Welfare System: Multi-Sectoral Implementation Plan 2025-2030

Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services (Social Welfare Division) and UNICEF

The Solomon Island's Child and Family Welfare Act 2017 signalled a strong commitment from the government to strengthen national efforts to prevent and respond to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of children. This Multi-Sectoral Implementation Plan 2025–2030 outline's the government's plan to improve services to strengthen family and community caring practices and to ensure a timely and appropriate response to all children in need of care and protection.

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The Human Rights Challenges Experienced by Queer Youth in Out-of-Home Care: A Systematic Scoping Review

Oscar Johnston, Lynne McPherson, Kathomi Gatwiri, and Antonia Canosa

The human rights challenges faced by Queer youth in out-of-home care (OOHC), such as foster and residential care, have largely been overlooked in child protection research, policy, and practice development. This systematic scoping review aims to identify and synthesize the existing international, English-language, empirical research documenting the human rights challenges experienced by Queer youth in OOHC systems.

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Integrated Healthcare for Youth in Foster Care: A Narrative Review

Christina Quick, Mary Claire Meimers, Emma Buchele, et. al.

Integrated healthcare models combining behavioral and primary care provide solutions for vulnerable pediatric populations, especially youth in foster care, facing disproportionately high rates of chronic conditions and mental health issues. This review synthesizes current literature to assess the impact of integrated care on health outcomes for youth in foster care in the U.S..

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Benchmarking Report on Parenting Support Policies and Programs in the Republic of Serbia

UNICEF Serbia

The first comprehensive “Benchmarking Report on Parenting Support Policies and Programs in the Republic of Serbia” aims to support national and local efforts to improve the availability and quality of systemic, cross-sectoral support for parents and caregivers in Serbia, in order to ensure the optimal development of children and young people.

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Recognizing that Children with Disabilities Are Children First: A Study on the Situation of Care and Protection of Children with Disabilities in India

Children and Families Together – India consortium

Based on the importance of including children with disabilities in the growing movement toward deinstitutionalization and care reform, the Children and Families Together – India consortium, with Keystone Human Services International as the prime, undertook an assessment of the situation of care and protection of children with disabilities in India.

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[Webinar Recording] Closing the Revolving Doors: A Lifespan Approach to Deinstitutionalization

Keystone Human Services International

On June 9, Keystone Human Services International and partners hosted a side event at the 18th Conference of States Parties to the CRPD on “Closing the Revolving Doors: A Lifespan Approach to Deinstitutionalization.” Panelists explored challenges, opportunities, and success stories in advancing sustainable care reform and community-based supports for children and adults with disabilities.

Young People’s Experiences of Transitioning Out of Care in India: Convergence of Two Frameworks

Kiran Modi, Gurneet Kaur Kalra, and Leena Prasad

This study aimed to highlight the challenges faced by care leavers due to the absence of or inadequate aftercare support during the transition, which increases care leavers’ vulnerabilities to homelessness, unemployment, substance misuse and ruptured social relationships.