Helping Children Worldwide at the International Conference on Adoption Research: A Focus on Family and Ending Institutional Care

​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.
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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.