The Transitions Initiative: Youth Aging Out of Alternative Care
Longitudinal research has shown that, of all the identifiable groups in society, young people who have been in care are the most likely to experience poor outcomes in adult life. Upon exit, they are often forced to begin the transition into adulthood without the proper resources or knowledge of their environment and face immense challenges and risks including vulnerability to homelessness, human trafficking, sexual and labor exploitation, depression, and recruitment by gangs or militant groups.
In light of these challenges IOFA conducted a needs assessment in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia that focused on identifying the strengths, needs, and risks of orphaned and vulnerable adolescents who are transitioning to independence. The data collected aims to establish a comprehensive support system for youth aging out of care and to build awareness around the issues that this vulnerable population confronts.
To read the full report at: http://bettercarenetwork.org/BCN/details.asp?id=29435&themeID=1003&topicID=1019
Preventing the separation of children from their families in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Hope and Homes for Children has been implementing ACTIVE Family Support Program in Sarajevo Canton which consists of two elements: the prevention of separation of children from their parents as the primary focus, and the reintegration of separated children from institutions back into their biological families.
Key learning and significant outcomes:
The model was successful in preventing the separation of children from their families in 98% of cases
88% of families maintained their progress in the year following the end of our support, highlighting the effectiveness of the time-bound approach
82% of children left institutions and were successfully reintegrated into their biological families; 14% left large institutions to live with foster families
The program also demonstrated a significant return on investment. Every Euro invested provided a return of €9.33
Its estimated that 32% of the children would have been placed in an institution had they not accessed ACTIVE Family Support.
Read more at: http://bettercarenetwork.org/BCN/details.asp?id=29436&themeID=1000&topicID=1000
Integrating Gender in Care and Support of Vulnerable Children: A Guide for Program Designers and Implementers.
This guide provides step-by-step guidance and recommendations on how to identify and address gender-related issues that negatively affect vulnerable boys and girls in the local program context. It is intended to be a practical tool for staff involved in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of care and support programs for vulnerable children.
The guide will help program staff to:
conduct a gender analysis to identify the gender norms and behaviors that harm vulnerable boys, girls and their caregivers
carry out a planning process to design the strategies, objectives and activities that address issues raised in the gender analysis
identify appropriate indicators, methods and tools to monitor and evaluate gender-related outcomes and impact of interventions and activities for vulnerable children.
To read the full report, visit: http://bettercarenetwork.org/BCN/details.asp?id=29437&themeID=1004&topicID=1025
New Journal Article:
Sibling caringscapes: Time-space practices of caring within youth-headed households in Tanzania and Uganda
This paper investigates the time-space practices of young people caring for their siblings in youthheaded households affected by AIDS in Tanzania and Uganda and finds that young people's lifecourse transitions are shaped to a large extent by their caring responsibilities, resulting in some young people remaining in a liminal position for considerable periods, unable to make 'successful' transitions to adulthood or experiencing detrimental effects on young people's health, education, future employment prospects and mobility. Despite structural constraints, however, young people are able to exercise some autonomy over their caring pathways and lifecourse transitions. The research sheds light on the ways that individuals embody the practices, routines and rhythms of everyday life and exercise agency within highly restricted broader landscapes of care.
Read the full study at:
http://bettercarenetwork.org/BCN/details.asp?id=29438&themeID=1002&topicID=1015
CONSULTANCY AND JOB POSTINGS
Child Fund International Seeks Director of Education and Child Protection
ChildFund International is seeking a Director, Education and Child Protection within the Program Development Division. The Director is a member of the Senior Management Team that plays an influential role in setting the direction, pace and culture of the Division operating under a new structure and new leadership. The Director fulfills technical leadership, representation and business development functions. This position offers the opportunity to make an impact on divisional strategy and vision for where children's programming goes within the organization. The Director will develop a learning agenda, refine a program theory of change and develop new partnerships.
To see qualifications and to apply, please visit the ChildFund International career page at http://www.childfund.org/careers