Hope in Honduras
The Orphan Institute has been working in Honduras for the past four years, in partnership with the government department responsible for child welfare, the Honduran Institute for Children and Families (IHNFA). Â The result of this partnership has been a Permanency Center, staffed by a Child Defender Team, which includes a lawyer, psychologist, social worker, accountant, driver, and director. Â The Defender Team works closely with IHNFA to process the cases of children whose legal family status in unknown. Â
Through the efficiency of working in a public-private partnership with IHNFA and a non-government organization, financed by groups and individuals passionate about finding families for orphans, we are able to inject resources, efficiencies, accountability, passion and expertise into these processes; while at the same time strengthening government capabilities and abilities in this vital space. Â
The Permanency Center has worked well with IHNFA, building a relationship of trust and collaboration with its leadership and technical staff; this has led to a tangible and quantifiable impact upon the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children. Â
Specifically, this partnership and model of the Permanency Center has:
Investigated more than 1375 cases of OVC in protection centers.
Generated more than 605 psychological and social evaluations, necessary to make Best Interest Determination (BID) for each child from 2008-2010. As the project continued to mature assuming increasing responsibilities from 2011-2012, 650 social evaluations were completed as well as an additional 352 psychological evaluations.
Enabled 170 children to be reunited with their families.
Qualified 16 foster families to care for orphans who would otherwise most likely be in larger institutions.
Identified more than 418 cases as possible permanent family candidates based on a comprehensive review and BID.
Helped process 50 cases for the IHNFA adoption department.
Subsidized necessary tests and documentation to expedite the declaration of abandonment for more than 80 children. Â
This public-private partnership has been made possible by the important steps taken by each partner in their willingness to work in new and creative ways.  IHNFA leadership signed an agreement giving special authority to the Permanency Center.  The agreement gives our staff a unique opportunity to collaborate on a daily basis with IHNFA staff.  The Permanency Center has also provided a car that is available for use on cases assigned to the Defender Team.  Between October 2008 and December 2012, more than $330,000 has been invested in the Permanency Center’s work, which works out at only $240 per child. This number would go down further as increased efficiencies are generated by additional investments. We believe this is a low-cost way to make a substantial and permanent improvement to the life of a child.
The Orphan Institute has gained valuable insight and experience into the ability of a government system to process the cases of abandoned children. Â We are using the experience and knowledge we have gained through this pilot program to establish a model of best practice that can be replicated in other countries for the benefits of orphans worldwide.
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