The future of transition support and care reform - the role of Rising Tides

For over three decades, global thought leaders in child protection and welfare have championed a profound yet simple vision: every child deserves the love and security of a safe, permanent family. This principle is not just a lofty ideal; it’s a right enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. To make this vision a reality, care reform efforts around the world have centered on three pivotal strategies:

1. Reintegrating children into family care
   
2. Strengthening families to prevent separation
   
3. Transitioning orphanages to provide reintegration services and other vital child welfare support
   

One organization leading this charge is the Child Reintegration Centre (CRC), which in 2016 - 2018 underwent a transformative shift from an orphanage model to family-based care. Recognizing the complexities of such transitions, the CRC established a dedicated Transition Coaching and Mentoring Department in 2019. This small but mighty team, led by Senior Consultant David Musa and his colleague Rosamond Palmer, serves as the sole source of transition expertise in Sierra Leone. David has since become a globally recognized authority on transitioning orphanages to family care models.
The Challenges and Opportunities of TransitionTransitioning orphanages is no small feat. It requires a multidisciplinary approach involving expertise in child protection, organizational leadership, change management, trauma-informed care, and social work. The goal is clear: to ensure that children remain safe and supported throughout the process. Yet, the scope of the challenge in Sierra Leone alone is immense. It would take decades for David and Rosamond to transition every orphanage in the country while simultaneously advocating for systemic change at the governmental level.
Rising Tides: A Global Gathering for ChangeTo accelerate the pace of progress, David Musa will co-host Helping Children Worldwide’s (HCW) 2025 Rising Tides Conference, aptly titled Catalyzing Transition to Broaden the Impact. Scheduled for February 20-21, 2025, at the historic True Reformer Building in Washington, DC, this groundbreaking event will bring together global thought leaders, stakeholders, and transition support experts from both the Global North and the Global South.
This two-day, in-person conference is designed to:

• Foster deep, collaborative discussions on best practices for transitioning orphanages to family-based care
  
• Highlight the importance of excellence in transition support services
  
• Strategize ways to scale the transition movement globally
  

For many of the attendees, particularly those working directly with orphanages in the Global South, this will mark their first opportunity to engage face-to-face with peers and global experts in the field.
Join the MovementThe Rising Tides Conference represents a unique opportunity to shape the future of child care reform. It’s a chance to learn from pioneers like David Musa, exchange ideas, and galvanize a global movement that ensures every child has the opportunity to grow up in a loving family.
To learn more about the conference or to get involved, contact Dr. Laura Horvath at [email protected]. Together, we can catalyze change and broaden the impact of this critical work for children worldwide.