Resources Database

In recognition of the limitations of cash alone, governments (sometimes in partnership with other actors) have introduced ‘Cash Plus’ initiatives, which provide regular cash transfers plus additional support or linkages to services in a bid to extend and maximize positive impacts. This report is summarizes how cash plus programmes work and their benefits, including linking recipients to other services in the community, home visitation programs, psychosocial support services and other services provided by the social service workforce.

Systems strengthening including through strengthened work of community child protection groups and stronger child protection systems are among successful strategies for ending violence against children.

This report includes case studies demonstrating the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration, including the social service workforce, for continuity of care.

Children in out-of-home placements are at elevated risk for behavioral problems. More research is needed to identify factors that can be targeted in prevention and intervention efforts to improve behavioral health outcomes among this vulnerable population. A systematic review was conducted with the aim of developing a better understanding of the psychosocial factors associated with the behavioral health of children in foster and kinship care.

This discussion guide is intended to accompany the video series to share ways to create a more supportive environment and develop an agency culture that responds to caregivers' needs.

This paper reports on the health and psychosocial impacts of a programme designed to economically empower female caregivers of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). As a result of participating in savings groups, the caregivers had increased earnings, borrowed more, repaid their loans, and expanded their businesses. Important health impacts were found for both the caregivers and the OVC, which are reported in the findings of this paper.

The aim of the course is to develop an appropriate training program for social auxiliaries.

Armed conflict, natural disaster and forced displacement affect millions of children each year. Such humanitarian crises can erode existing family and community protection mechanisms - increasing the risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence. Within these contexts, child protection experts work to prevent and respond to protection concerns. Yet the evidence-base that should inform these interventions is lacking.

This paper reports on findings from an evaluation study of two institutions providing transition programmes to adolescent girls transitioning from institutional care in Zimbabwe. The study sought to understand how government-based and NGO-based institutions were delivering services to prepare adolescents for life outside care and whether these services complied with Standard Six of the National Residential Child Care Standards in Zimbabwe.

This resource provides guidance and considerations before undertaking a short-term mission trip.

Increasing the use of research evidence in decision-making is critical to ensuring that agencies effectively serve families in producing intended outcomes, including the safe achievement of legal permanency through reunification, adoption, or guardianship. This document provides a catalog of strategies drawn from several fields (social work, public health, education) and research traditions (implementation science, utilization-focused evaluation, social research and development (R&D), and translational research).

A desk review was conducted to examine the current gaps in investment related to care and treatment for children living with or affected by HIV.There is a need for an investment case to clearly articulate and advocate for increased financial support for an HIV sensitive social service system that can adequately address and respond to the needs of vulnerable children.

This case study highlights aspects of a case management system and referral mechanism utilized by OVC programs within Mozambique that could be identified as a hub and spoke model of referral mechanism.

Deaf children involved with child welfare systems are often overlooked both in terms of tracking and service delivery. These systems frequently do not offer accessible and equitable services to deaf children. The current paper explores this in terms of the Social Work Grand Challenge: Healthy growth and development of all youth. Literature regarding child welfare services for deaf children is discussed.

To increase the evidence base on the benefits of early childhood development, a four-part series of global landscape analyses are being conducted to establish the size and scope of the challenges faced by the early childhood workforce, while also highlighting promising practices countries have adopted in response to these challenges. This second resource focuses on the training and professional development of this workforce.

Constructive and supportive social connections help buffer parents from stressors and support nurturing parenting behaviors that promote secure attachments in young children. Therefore, parents’ high quality social connections are beneficial to both the adults and the children. This action sheet offers strategies that may assist in engaging families in developing social connections.

To inform and guide the Early Childhood Workforce Initiative, this global landscape analysis aims to establish the size and scope of the challenges faced by the early childhood workforce, while also highlighting promising practices countries have adopted in response to these challenges. Covering a range of roles, this analysis aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the current status of the workforce worldwide. In this report, competences encompass the requirements and expectations for what early childhood professionals and paraprofessionals should know and be able to do.

This article presents research exploring the conceptualization and practice of supervision during social worker training in Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire, Francophone West African countries whose social work education frameworks and processes are nearly absent in the academic literature.

The standards reflect shared thinking and common agreement among humanitarian and human rights practitioners.

Linkages between the social service system are especially relevant within OVC programming given that children and families affected by HIV and other adversities tend to have multiple vulnerabilities that require services and support provided by both sectors. This brief provides an overview of referral mechanisms and the importance of collaboration with other sectors.