|
This past week, Helping Children Worldwide was thrilled to participate in the International Conference on Adoption Research (ICAR) held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. ICAR has long been a vital platform for researchers and adoptees to share knowledge and experiences around adoption. However, in recent years, the conference has broadened its scope to encompass the critical issue of caring for children separated from their families globally. This shift reflects a significant trend – a decline in intercountry adoption and a growing movement to close orphanages and prioritize family reunification or domestic fostering for children in need. HCW is at the forefront of this movement, advocating for solutions that keep children connected to their families and communities whenever possible.  We were honored to have our abstract accepted for presentation this year. In 2022, HCW received a grant from the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) to conduct research alongside Dr. Sarah Neville, then a Ph.D. student at Brown University and now at professor at Boston College. Our project focused on Evaluating the family strengthening curriculum that CRC uses to improve parent child relationships. The presentation of our findings at ICAR ran in tandem with presentations on de-institutionalization efforts around the world. Representatives from organizations like Changing the Way We Care and CAFO joined the discussion, creating a valuable opportunity to share best practices and collaborate on solutions.  Beyond our presentation, ICAR-8 provided a fantastic platform to connect with other researchers in the field. We gained invaluable insights into the emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being of children in different family placements. This knowledge will be instrumental in guiding our future work and advocacy efforts.
HCW remains committed to supporting children and families in the best way possible. By prioritizing family reunification and domestic fostering, we can work together to end institutional care and ensure a brighter future for vulnerable children worldwide.
0 Comments
This year might be the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Adoption Research (ICAR-8), but it's the first time that HCW will have attended, and presented at this important conference. HCW's work has tended to be more focused on child welfare and child protection than adoption, but this year marks a shift in ICAR-8's focus to include more participants and presenters engaged in the care of orphans and children separated from family care globally, that are providing solutions to family separation in addition to adoption.
The 8th international ICAR-8 being held July 8 - 12 at the University of Minnesota, is a "a premier event for attendees from the Global South and the Global North who are devoted to ensuring permanent, nurturing family care for every child. A cross-disciplinary exchange of ideas, innovation and information, the conference explores how to improve the entire spectrum of services for children without permanent families." HCW's Dr. Laura Horvath, and Yasmine Vaughan, along with a virtual, pre-recorded Dr. Sarah Neville, will be presenting on "Family preservation and strengthening research and practice in the context of care reform in Sierra Leone." In this presentation, the trio will share the CRC's story of transition from institutional to family care, the effectiveness of the CRC's Family Strengthening program as evidenced by research conducted by Dr. Neville, and the steps that HCW and CRC are taking to revise the workshop program based on the outcomes of that research. HCW is excited to be a part of this important conference focused on "ensuring a safe, permanent family for every child" all over the world. |
- About HCW
- Allies and Programs
- Upcoming Events
-
Get Involved
- Mission Teams >
- Partner with Us! >
- Fundraise
- Volunteer
- Internship Opportunities
- Stay in Touch
-
Past Events
>
- HCW Pickleball FUNdraiser
- Strong Family Sunday24
-
Programs
>
- Silent Auction
- 2024 Golf Tournament Sign up Page
- Golf Tournament 2023
- Golf Tournament 2022
- Virtual Fitness Challenge
- 2022 Go For Bo!
- Go for Bo 2021
- Vision Night 2021
- Golf Tournament 2021
- Go for Bo 2020
- Golf Tournament 2020
- Go For Bo 2024 Race Sign up
- Go for Bo 2019
- Golf Tournament 2019
- Events
- Give Now
- Firmly Rooted
- Child Welfare
- Products
- Child Welfare Resources
- Program Partners - child Welfare
- About HCW
- Allies and Programs
- Upcoming Events
-
Get Involved
- Mission Teams >
- Partner with Us! >
- Fundraise
- Volunteer
- Internship Opportunities
- Stay in Touch
-
Past Events
>
- HCW Pickleball FUNdraiser
- Strong Family Sunday24
-
Programs
>
- Silent Auction
- 2024 Golf Tournament Sign up Page
- Golf Tournament 2023
- Golf Tournament 2022
- Virtual Fitness Challenge
- 2022 Go For Bo!
- Go for Bo 2021
- Vision Night 2021
- Golf Tournament 2021
- Go for Bo 2020
- Golf Tournament 2020
- Go For Bo 2024 Race Sign up
- Go for Bo 2019
- Golf Tournament 2019
- Events
- Give Now
- Firmly Rooted
- Child Welfare
- Products
- Child Welfare Resources
- Program Partners - child Welfare
Helping Children Worldwide is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization | 703-793-9521 | [email protected]
©2017 - 2021 Helping Children Worldwide
All donations in the United States are tax-deductible in full or part. | Donor and Privacy Policy
©2017 - 2021 Helping Children Worldwide
All donations in the United States are tax-deductible in full or part. | Donor and Privacy Policy
|
|
|
|
Community of Practice
REGIONAL AMBASSADOR |
