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 familybased 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.
“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.
What does Family Care Look like?
Some of the care options available for consideration may include:
PREVENTION
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
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
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
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
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 can be a good fit for older youth moving towards independence. They may not be fully providing for themselves yet but can handle most tasks with a bit of support. Several young people may live together or near each other with support from program staff.
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.
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
Awareness and Decision-Making
Engaging Others in the Process
Counting the (Literal) Cost
Community Mapping and Partnership
Charting a Course for Each Child
Supporting Families to Care for Their Children
Repurposing Resources
Measuring Our Impact
Each of these key components is covered in depth in CAFO’s Moving Toward Family Solutions course.
Key Components of Transition
Awareness & Decision-Making
Every journey to family-based care begins with a growing awareness of a child’s fundamental need for family. Connecting with experienced leaders and key organizational decision-makers can help cultivate a shared commitment to family as you envision new ways of approaching care.
Engaging Others in the Process
It is essential for programs preparing to transition their model of care to engage with all who will be affected by the change. This can include children, families, staff, donors, government officials, program partners, and community members. We can help them catch the vision of the significant shift being considered and bring them along on the journey toward family care.
Counting the (Literal) Cost
Family care is often far more financially sustainable than residential care, but costs may initially increase while building capacity to support a new care model. Communicating well with existing donors goes a long way in securing funding for the new work ahead, and many organizations gain new donors who want to invest in the model of family-based care.
Community Mapping & Partnership
No single organization should aim to meet every need of the children and families they serve. We should focus on what we do best and work with others for the rest. By identifying existing services and building partnerships with other organizations that share our goals, we can collaborate to provide comprehensive care beyond what we can do alone.
Charting a Course for Each Child
As we begin to consider new care options, a thoughtful approach is needed to determine what’s best for each child. The 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 an individual plan for each child and working with everyone involved in the child’s life to ensure the child is supported to thrive.
Supporting Families to Care for Their Children
With the right support, many vulnerable families can provide a safe and loving home for their children.
As we assess a family’s situation and identify the necessary support, we can help many children transition from residential care back to family life. This shift often allows children to heal and thrive in a family setting.
Repurposing Resources
Many existing resources can be adapted to support a new family-based approach. Staff can learn new skills for supporting families or managing community programs. Buildings can find new life as counseling centers or after-school spaces. With creative thinking and thoughtful strategy, we can honor past investments while serving children and families in new and innovative ways.
Measuring Our Impact
The decision to move toward family-based care is often driven by wanting the best for the children we serve. But to know if we’re making a real difference, we must develop simple ways to track our progress. By measuring our impact, we can identify what’s working well and where we can improve, ensuring the transition truly benefits the children and families we serve.
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:
Continuum
of Care Course
Learn more about the family-based care options available for children.
Moving Toward Family Solutions
Join participants from around the globe to explore why children need families and how your program can safely move children into family care.
Transition Resource Guide
Explore resources supporting the transition from residential to familybased care.
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 familybased solutions might look like for their program.
Join us on the journey of moving toward family-based solutions for vulnerable children… together.
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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
cafo.org/research-center