As the gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic became apparent, many governments mandated the release of children from residential care facilities and asked organizations serving vulnerable children to immediately place children back into their communities of origin. This rapid reunification plan was filled with unique challenges and potential dangers for vulnerable children. However, it also created a unique opportunity to serve families and communities in need.
The COVID-19 Child Protection & Family Care Challenge Grant Program awarded grants to 10 organizations committed to supporting children and families to not only thrive during the period of crisis-driven reintegration but to also remain together when the COVID-19 pandemic would recede.
This document is the summary of personal feedback from those participating organizations around the experience of shifting organizational resources from supporting children in residential care to supporting family care for children.
