Transition to Family Care
What does “Transitioning to family care” mean?
Scripture and science are clear: children do best in families.
However, for those in the trenches of caring for vulnerable children in low-resource communities, this can seem like an idealistic dream - something that is only possible in other places. They also recognize that feasible solutions — rather than idealized prescriptions — are necessary amidst the deep and complex needs they face every day.
But around the world, residential programs are freshly recognizing the importance of family for children and are transitioning their care models to family-based solutions. Program leaders are learning more about what children need most and are making changes to the care they provide, They are demonstrating that a transition to family solutions is possible for children, even in very difficult places.
The Transitioning to Family Care: Why, What, and How? series is made up of three separate booklets highlighting key points of the process of transitioning to family-based solutions, including:
• WHY children need families and why residential care is only a partial solution
• WHAT transitioning to family care means, what is involved, and what the process entails
• HOW programs are transitioning care, with case studies to help others envision family care
The work of serving orphaned and vulnerable children flows from the care, compassion, and sense of calling of many programs around the world.
Photography provided by Ronnie Mosley.
As we grow in our understanding of both the importance of family for all children and the essential points of transitioning to family care, we are better equipped to provide the kind of care that will best help children to thrive.
Transitioning to Family
Care: What does “care transition” mean?
Children Need Families
Children need families, yet millions live separated from safe, loving family care¹. Around the world, organizations caring for children in residential settings like orphanages and children’s homes are transitioning to family care to be part of the solution².
In the context of working with vulnerable children and families, the phrase care transition refers to the process of programs shifting from residential models (like orphanages and children’s homes) toward family models of care for children who are separated from their parents. It often includes many other transitions within an organization as well, such as changes in staff roles and responsibilities, facilities and physical assets, fundraising, and partnerships. However, for our purposes here, the term transition is primarily used to refer to the overarching process of moving toward family solutions for vulnerable children.
The goal of transition is not to close orphanages, but rather to strengthen families and communities to the point that large-scale residential care is no longer necessary and can be reshaped into other forms of family and community support.
What does Family Care Look like?
God’s design is for children to be in a healthy, loving family where they are cherished and protected by both parents. At the same time, we recognize that this ideal situation doesn’t always happen the way we would hope.
In these instances, there are a variety of ways children can still be cared for in families.
As a program transitions from residential care to family-based solutions, various forms of family-based care should be carefully considered for each individual child to determine the type of care that serves their best interests. There are multiple options for family care that all include a family environment and at least one consistent parent or caregiver.
Some of the care options available for consideration may include:
PREVENTION
FOSTER CARE
REINTEGRATION
SUPPORTED INDEPENDENT LIVING
KINSHIP CARE
SMALL GROUP HOMES
ADOPTION
What does Family Care Look like?
PREVENTION
Strengthening Families to Prevent Separation
Supporting and strengthening families to prevent unnecessary separation is always the ideal. Family strengthening is any effort or intervention aimed at helping families stay together and thrive, including economic, psychosocial, physical, educational, or spiritual support. Many families will benefit most from a combination of these kinds of support. Most children and families will be best served by this type of care.
Learn more about family strengthening in our Core Elements of Success course on Family Strengthening.
REINTEGRATION
Family Reintegration
Once a child has been separated from their parents, the first goal should be reintegrating back with their biological family. Every reintegration requires a thorough assessment, preparation of the child and family, and monitoring and support to ensure the placement is safe, secure, and set up for success.
KINSHIP CARE
Kinship Care
When it is not possible for a child to return to his or her parents, kinship care is the next best option. Kinship care is when a relative or person who is family-like (a friend, neighbor, church member, etc.) commits to caring for the child as their own.
ADOPTION
Adoption
When family reintegration and kinship care are not possible, adoption can be an excellent option. Adoption includes legal permanency and all the rights and inheritances afforded to biological children in the same family.
FOSTER CARE
Foster Care
This type of care allows children to be cared for in the private home of a trained family or caregiver. Ideally, foster care is temporary until a child is able to move into family reintegration, kinship care, or adoption. For some children, foster care becomes a long-term solution.
SUPPORTED INDEPENDENT LIVING
Supported Independent Living
Supported independent living is a type of care appropriate for older youth moving towards independent living. Often, they cannot yet fully provide for themselves but are able to handle most primary tasks with a modest amount of support. In this model, several young people may live together or near each other with modest support and supervision from program staff.
SMALL GROUP HOMES
Small Group Homes
For certain youth with certain needs, small group homes can be an appropriate care solution. These homes should be as small and family-like as possible, with consistent caregivers. This type of care is not suitable for younger children.
Learn more about the types of Family Care for children in our Continuum of Care course.
“As someone who spent 10 years in an orphanage and always longed for the care of my family, I know that the transition from residential care to family-based care is so important for bringing harmony to families that prepare them for a tomorrow where they can thrive. And if you make families stronger, and help them to thrive, their communities get stronger too - and they too begin to thrive. Family-based care helps vulnerable children meet both their tangible and intangible needs in a family.”
EMANUEL NABIEU, HELPING CHILDREN WORLDWIDE
No single organization can provide all types of care for every child. Instead, it’s better to focus on doing a few things well and partnering with others who offer complementary services. This collaborative approach creates a more comprehensive and efficient care system that can better meet the diverse needs of children and families.*
Learn more about effective partnerships from our Core Elements of Success course on Healthy Partnerships.
The Process of Transitioning Toward Family Care
God’s Heart for Family
Transitioning to family-based care for children is not just a change in method, but a reflection of God’s heart for family. This shift is a journey, not an event–it’s a continuous process of aligning our care practices with biblical principles of family and community. While each organization’s path will be unique, the experience remains the same: it is a slow and steady journey toward providing every child with a safe, loving family environment.
Two common concerns often arise for program leaders considering a transition of care: “Will the kids be safe?” and “What will become of our staff team?” These questions reflect a genuine care for those most affected by this change – a care that resonates with Christ’s compassion. By viewing this transition as a gradual, prayerful process rather than an abrupt shift, we can address these concerns with wisdom and grace. Through careful planning and trust in God’s guidance, we can ensure that children are safe and help staff members discover new ways to use their gifts in this family-centered model.
While the details of every organization’s transition to family care may vary, there are common elements that can help shape our vision and set expectations. These key components serve as stepping stones, guiding us as we seek to reflect God’s design for family and community in our care for vulnerable children.
As we embark on this transformative journey, let us remember that we are not alone. God, who sets the lonely in families (Psalm 68:6), walks with us every step of the way.
Key Components of Transition
Each of these key components is covered in depth in CAFO’s Moving Toward Family Solutions course.
Awareness and decision-making
Every journey to family-based care begins with awareness. As we learn about a child’s fundamental need for family, we are able to envision new ways for residential programs to support family care, rather than replace it. We can connect with experienced mentors and engage with key organizational decision-makers to work toward reaching a shared commitment to move toward family care. These steps lay the foundation for a meaningful transition that prioritizes family care for children.
Engaging others in the process
It is essential for programs preparing to transition their model of care to involve everyone who will be affected by the change. This can include children, families, staff, board members, and program leaders. We should also reach out to financial donors, government officials, program partners, and community members who need to be brought along in the journey. By communicating clearly with each of these groups, we can help them catch the vision of the significant change being considered. This inclusive approach ensures that everyone feels heard and can contribute to shaping the new direction in caring for children.
Counting the (literal) cost
One of the primary questions around the transition to family care is “How do we fund this?” The good news is that family care is typically far more financially sustainable long term. However, costs may initially increase as an organization maintains current programming while also building its capacity to move toward a new care model. Communicating with existing donors goes a long way in securing funding for the new work ahead. Many organizations find that during the transition process, they encounter and attract new donors who want to invest in the model of family-based care.
Community mapping and partnership
When thinking about changing a model of care, it's natural to feel overwhelmed. We might think we need to do everything: run our current program, start foster care, support adoption, help relatives care for children, and provide various family support services. But this isn't necessary or even advisable. Instead, we should focus on what we do best and work with others for the rest. This means identifying existing services in our community, building partnerships with other organizations, and collaborating to provide comprehensive care. By working together, we can offer better support for children and families without stretching ourselves too thin. Remember, we don't have to do it all alone – we're truly better together when we join forces with others who share our goals.
Key Components of Transition Continued...
Each of these key components is covered in depth in CAFO’s Moving Toward Family Solutions course.
Charting a course for each child
As we move away from residential care as the primary option, we need a thoughtful approach to deciding what's best for each child. Our goal is to find the right match between a child, a family, and the support they need to flourish together. We do this by creating individual care plans for each child. These plans help us communicate and work together with everyone involved in the child's life, ensuring we're all focused on helping the child thrive. By tailoring our approach to each child's unique needs, we can provide more personalized and effective care.
Supporting families to care for their children
Many families deeply want to care for their children, even when circumstances have led them to be placed in residential care. With the right support, these families can often provide a loving home. Our role is first to assess whether the family environment can be safe and healthy for the child. Then, we work to identify and provide the support each family needs to get there. By investing in families, we can help many children transition from residential care back to family life. This shift often brings great benefits, allowing children to heal and thrive in a family setting.
Repurposing resources
As residential programs shift to family-based care, they don't need to start from scratch. Many current resources can be adapted to support this new family-based approach. For example, dedicated staff can learn new skills to take on roles like supporting families or managing community programs. The buildings we've carefully developed can find new life as counseling centers or after-school spaces. With creative thinking and thoughtful strategy, we can find countless ways to use our existing assets in a new model of care. This approach honors the investments made by our supporters while allowing us to serve children and families in new ways. By repurposing resources, we can smoothly transition to family-based care without losing the valuable assets we've built over time.
Measuring our impact
When we decide to move towards family-based care, it's because we want the best for the children we serve. But how do we know if we're making a real difference? That's where monitoring and evaluation come in. By developing simple ways to track our progress, we can make sure we're meeting our goals and providing good care throughout the change. This process helps us see what we're doing well and where we can improve. It also allows us to share accurate information with our partners and supporters. By keeping a close eye on our impact, we can continually improve our services and ensure that our transition to family-based care truly benefits the children and families we work with.
Transition is Possible
A Path Worth Taking
The journey of transition from residential to family care isn’t always smooth, but it’s a path worth taking. It may involve a mix of emotions, including grief over the realization that the good work we have done out of a sense of calling and pure intentions may have had unforeseen consequences. It frequently pushes us to make hard decisions that can stir up emotions like guilt, regret, resistance, and frustration.
But then we come to the place of realizing that when we know better, we can do better. While we may have previously operated out of good intentions, we are now moving in a new direction based on new information. We’re able to use what we’ve learned to make positive changes for the children we serve.
Change can be challenging, but it also brings hope. By moving towards family care, we’re opening up new possibilities for children to thrive in loving family environments, just as God intended.
Research has shown that programs that have taken the journey toward transitioning to family care have a positive view of the process.³
69% of organizations gained donors as a result of the transition process
100% of organizations gained donors as a result of the transition process
Participants indicated that child well-being increased as a result of the transition
Programs were able to have a larger impact by engaging with entire families rather than individuals
Brave leaders around the world are seeing their role in helping children to be raised in secure, loving families, and they are bringing others along with them. It started with just a few residential programs recognizing the need for children to be in families and it has grown into a worldwide movement that you can be a part of.
Resources for Transition
No program needs to walk through the transition process alone. Leaders who have gone before you on this journey have been faithful to offer guidance in the form of resources and coaching. We want to make this process as simple as possible for you.
The CAFO Research Center has resources to support you on your transition journey:
Transition Coach Matching
If you are interested in meeting with a Transition Coach who can walk alongside you in the transition to family care, complete this application to be connected.
Moving Toward Family Solutions
This course prepares those involved in residential care to transition their model of care. Engaging content and experienced facilitators ensure participants finish the course with a personalized care transition plan.
Transition Resource Guide
This curated directory of select resources will give you a picture of some of the available supports as you move toward family solutions.
Up next...
How are Residential Programs Transitioning to Family Care?
Around the world, programs serving orphaned and vulnerable children are recognizing the need for children to be in families and are transitioning their residential care models to family care.
The first document in this series Transitioning to Family Care: Why, What, and How? addressed the key topic: Why Children Need Families. The next document dives deepr into the question of How Are Programs
Transitioning to Family Care? Case studies demonstrate how programs have successfully transitioned their models of care from residential to family care, allowing leaders to envision what family-based solutions might look like for their program.
¹ Desmond, C., Watt, K., Saha, A., Huang, J., & Lu, C. (2020). Prevalence and number of children living in institutional care: global, regional, and country estimates. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 4(5), 370-377. ²Wilke, N. G., & Howard, A. H. (2022). Innovations in care for children separated from parents: Transitioning from residential to family models of service. Children & Society, 36(1), 82-100. ³https://issuu.com/christianalliancefororphans/docs/innovations_in_care_infographic_2_?fr=xPf8nJyc and https://issuu.com/christianalliancefororphans/docs/bringing_donors_along_infographic_final?fr=x
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