Strengthening Child Protection Systems

Implementing Partner: UNICEF

Funding Period: January 2009 – December 2011

Amount: $900,000

Purpose: Strengthen the child protection system in Guatemala and decrease the number of children who are unnecessarily separated from their parents or extended families.

Objectives

The project is working to strengthen a national network of government officials, NGOs, and others working on behalf of children. That network will undertake such joint initiatives as:

• Developing protocols to define roles, especially related to the placement of children
• Defining and disseminating standards of practice on alternative care for children
• Strengthening case referrals among service providers
• Conducting a cost-benefit analysis to compare prevention with institutionalization
• Informing child protection actors about best practices within Latin America
• Developing a public awareness campaign to promote domestic adoption

In Guatemala, USAID's Displaced Children and Orphans Fund works with UNICEF to assist vulnerable children. A two-year project is strengthening the child protection system in Guatemala by improving the country's laws and policies that affect children and by developing the capacity of and enhancing collaboration among organizations and individuals working to protect children, so that they can respond appropriately in situations where children and families are at risk of separation. In addition, the project is working to strengthen the Social Welfare Secretariat and the National Council on Adoption through targeted support for staffing, training, and technical assistance. There, the project gives particular attention to the reintegration of children in institutions.

The project also seeks to prevent unnecessary family separation. It supports reunification of children with families when possible and appropriate, and works to increase family-based options for alternative care for children.