God cares deeply for orphaned and vulnerable children.
Scripture consistently portrays God's intent for children to be cared for with excellence. As Christians, we are called to express His love as we care for vulnerable children. Yet, finding the best ways to do that can be overwhelming and confusing.
We’re here to ease that burden and empower you to offer better care and see better outcomes for the children you serve. We conduct and translate the best possible research to develop resources that equip you to confidently care for vulnerable children and families with excellence.
A Trusted Authority in Global Orphan Care
With decades of direct field experience reflected in our team, we intimately understand the challenges faced by those serving vulnerable populations worldwide.
Through strategic partnerships with leading academic institutions, researchers, governments, and NGOs in over 130 nations, we utilize the latest global research to provide you with resources to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families.
Countless programs have been transformed by our evidence-based solutions and practical resources, cementing our reputation as a trusted Christian authority in global orphan care.
Impact Highlights
5,000+
Participants at the OVC Research Symposium events held since 2013
17+
Original peer-reviewed research papers published on topics related to vulnerable children and families
$200K+
Invested through microgrants to spark innovation and facilitate program evaluation
949
Programs served through our Core Elements of Success program since 2018
Meet Our Team
The CAFO Research Center Team is dedicated to equipping you in the work of caring for vulnerable children and families.
Location:
New Jersey
One place I’ve always wanted to visit:
The Mediterranean Coast
Favorite pastime activity:
Picnics at the playground with my kidsCoffee or Tea?
Coffee. Always Coffee.
More about Paige:
Paige is a graduate of Taylor University and has worked in both child protection and foster care, experiences that deepened her passion for supporting the well-being of children and families. She also brings experience in project management from both nonprofit and start-up settings, combining operational insight with a heart for mission-driven work. It’s a true blessing to serve in a way that mirrors God’s heart for His people. Outside of work, Paige enjoys life in New Jersey with her three children. She’s endlessly grateful for her “village” and finds joy in storytelling through photography—capturing the beauty of connection in everyday moments.
Location:
Peru
One place I’ve always wanted to visit:
Hawaii
Favorite pastime activity:
Dancing and spending time with friends doing anything fun outdoors
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee
More about Analu:
Analu lives in Arequipa Peru. She serves as the LA Liaison for the Research Center. For the past years she has worked serving vulnerable children and families along a team of psychologists and Social Workers with Kids Alive. She Graduated from the Saint Agustin University in Arequipa. She has a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College. She has worked both for Non-Governmental institutions and in private practice cross-culturally serving English and Spanish speaking client.
Analu enjoys learning more about how to serve the Lord better at her church and with her profession. She loves spending time playing with her two nephews who are 5 months and 2 years old.
Location:
Alabama
One place I’ve always wanted to visit:
Gates of the Arctic National Park, AK
Favorite pastime activity:
Hiking and camping
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee before 9am, tea anytime after!
More about Amanda:
Dr. Amanda Hiles Howard is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Samford University. She came to Samford after serving as the Assistant Director of the TCU Institute of Child Development. She worked closely with Drs. Karyn Purvis and David Cross in the development of Trust-Based Relational Interventions, which is a trauma-informed evidence-based approach to working with children who have a history of trauma.
Amanda’s professional interest broadly falls under the category of applied developmental psychology. Her work integrates theory, research and practice in a concentrated effort to increase understanding of the interpersonal processes underlying mental health and quality of life for children and youth in non-traditional care. Her research has generated a great deal of political and public policy interest both nationally and internationally. Some of her major engagements include addressing Australian Parliament and meeting with the Prime Minister, speaking at the internationally simulcasted Empower to Connect Conference, and training professionals within the Department of Family and Protective Services in multiple states.
Location:
Virginia
One place I’ve always wanted to visit:
Santorini, Greece
Favorite pastime activity:
Going on nature walks
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee first
More about Dalia:
Dalia is passionate about using her gifts for Kingdom work to see better care for children around the world. She serves as the Care Transition Coordinator for CAFO’s Research Center. Prior to this, Dalia supported vulnerable populations in various capacities. For almost a decade, she served in remote Egyptian villages alongside local churches coordinating a variety of family strengthening programs. She was also involved in the planning, funding and managing of holistic development, family strengthening and orphan care programs with nonprofit and government sectors in the U.S. and abroad.
Dalia has earned her MA in International Development, a BA in Business Management and a fellowship in Cross-Cultural Communication. Her diverse experience in corporate and nonprofit allows her to bring a standard of excellence and professionalism to her spiritual and relational approach in service.
Outside of work, Dalia enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, hiking, and exploring the beauty of nature.
Location:
Virginia
One place I’ve always wanted to visit:
New Zealand
Favorite pastime activity:
Traveling somewhere new
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee hands down
More about Jedd:
Jedd Schroy’s life and work are deeply rooted in his passion for God and his pursuit of knowing God more. His faith is the foundation of all he does, shaping his leadership and commitment to service. During his decade in South Africa, he co-founded Paradigm Shift, a nonprofit focused on equipping churches to empower entrepreneurs, where he gained valuable experience in leadership, strategy and team building.
Jedd also spent several years at a philanthropic advisory firm where he served as Director of Advisory Research. There, he authored trend reports on the nonprofit sector, wrote hundreds of client briefs, and consulted with nonprofit leaders on impact measurement projects. This experience has since shaped his continued work helping nonprofits track, measure and communicate their impact effectively.
Jedd is married to Janelle, and together they are raising four vibrant daughters, all born in South Africa. Their family has embarked on a global adventure, traveling to 47 countries (and counting), which has enriched Jedd’s perspective on life, faith and family.
At CAFO, Jedd is focused on helping others flourish by creating strategies and environments that drive meaningful impact—always with a heart for service, faith and a spirit of adventure.
Location:
Peru
One place I’ve always wanted to visit:
Thailand
Favorite pastime activity:
Hiking
Coffee or Tea?
Tea
More about Nicole:
Dr. Nicole Wilke serves as Director of CAFO’s Applied Research and Best Practice Initiative. Prior to this role, she worked as a child and family therapist, missionary, in juvenile detention, and with children with special needs. Through her professional and personal life, she has gained extensive experience with foster care, adoption, residential care, trauma recovery, transitioning to family care, OVC research, and cross-cultural ministry. Nicole has degrees in Psychology, Family Studies, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Permanency and Adoption Competency. She lives with her family in Peru, where they work to see vulnerable children raised in families.
Take your next step toward better care
Join us in overcoming challenges, finding renewed joy, and improving outcomes for the children and families you serve.
Improving Care
Improving Care
Evaluate your work and equip yourself with evidence-based practices for better outcomes.
Family-Based Solutions
Family-Based Solutions
Children belong in families. How do we provide that for the millions of kids separated from family care?
Connecting Research & Practice
Connecting Research & Practice
Research can help us understand more about God’s intention for children to be in families, and what happens when they aren’t.
