Studies to investigate the impact of spiritual practices on child welfare leaders and perspectives of adult biological children from foster and adoptive homes.
The CAFO Research Center has announced two groundbreaking new studies in child welfare research: one on the spiritual habits of child welfare leaders and one on the perspectives of biological children from foster, adoptive and kinship families.
Both studies are seeking participants in an anonymous 30-minute online survey open between now and March 21, 2025.
“Service grows deeper and richer when it’s rooted in good knowledge,” said CAFO President Jedd Medefind. “These studies will provide fresh knowledge and wisdom for people serving in child welfare and beyond, from foster families to nonprofit leaders. The goal is bold action that’s guided by insight and grounded in love.”
These new studies are the latest in a long line of original research conducted by Dr. Nicole Wilke, Director of the Center on Applied Research for Orphaned and Vulnerable Children and Dr. Amanda Howard, Associate Professor of Psychology at Samford University and Senior Scholar at CAFO. Together, their studies have been published in more than 20 academic journals worldwide.
“One of the many advantages of the CAFO community is that together we cover so many areas of expertise and experience represented by our many members,” said Dr. Wilke. “Conversations within the community often expose gaps in knowledge within the practice of child welfare. Original research allows us to investigate these important questions, and the CAFO community makes it possible to learn from the perspectives of people representing a wide variety of contexts.”
She added that the findings from these studies – both the first of their kind – will provide the foundation for improved wellbeing for families and leaders serving vulnerable children and families worldwide.
Individuals who are interested in learning more about these two original research studies and the qualifications for participation can find details at CAFO Research Studies.
Studying Soul Care in Child Welfare Leaders
According to Wilke, little data exists on which spiritual practices make the biggest impact on fulfilling leaders for healthy, long-term effectiveness in child welfare ministry. This new research will explore soul care practices among ministry leaders to identify if and how they impact spiritual health and longevity in this type of work.
“The more we understand about effective soul care, the more effectively we can pour into leaders so they can pour into those they serve,” Wilke said.
CAFO has long emphasized the importance of soul care for Christian ministry leaders, creating resources and content – including an annual soul care retreat – to invest and support leaders as they live a life of pouring out to others. This research will help further support CAFO’s soul care work and others in the field by identifying which practices have the biggest impact.
Study participants should be at least 18 years of age; serve as leadership or staff in an organization or network serving vulnerable children and families; have served in ministry for at least 3 years; identify as Christian; speak fluent English; and have access to the internet.
Participate in the Soul Care Study here.
Study of Adult Biological Children from Foster, Adoptive & Kinship Families
Biological children play a critical role in the health and success of foster, adoptive and kinship families and yet little data exists on the long-term health and wellbeing of these siblings into adulthood.
The CAFO Research Center seeks to study key insights from adults with experience as biological siblings, so that practical, data-informed recommendations can be developed for supporting biological children in the home.
“We believe that data-informed perspectives on the experiences of biological children can help promote the long-term flourishing of adoptive and foster families in the future,” Wilke said.
Study participants should be at least 18 years of age; have been raised in a home with at least one biological parent for the duration of their childhood, and have had foster, adopted or kinship siblings for at least one year before the age of 18; speak fluent English; and have access to the internet.
