Welcome to Child Protection!
As programs caring for vulnerable children and families, protecting children and vulnerable adults needs to be at the center of all we do. The goal is to infuse our programs, staff, and stakeholders with knowledge of what to look for and how to respond in order to protect children and vulnerable adults. This eCourse will primarily focus on how to develop and implement child protection policies and procedures at the program level. There is much more to child protection beyond this content, but this is a starting point for programs serving children and vulnerable adults. For more learning about broader child protection systems, view this recording of the “Child Protection in Faith Communities” webinar (CAFO and World Vision) and "Working with Community-Based Child Protection Committees and Networks" (Child Protection Working Group).
Hybrid Course Live Meeting Dates: Tuesdays, 10-11am CST
Monday, July 22
Tuesday, July 23
Wednesday, July 24
Thursday, July 25
Event times are listed in Central Standard Time (CST), but you can use this time zone converter tool to determine the corresponding time where you live.
What You Will Learn:
In the Child Protection Hybrid Course, you will learn how to develop and implement child protection policies and procedures effectively at the program level. Learning content will include:
- What steps can our program take to implement child protection and safeguarding? For example::
- What stakeholders to involved
- How to assess your current practices
- How to develop and implement a policy
- How to monitor progress
Who Should Take This Course?
Anyone who works with vulnerable children and families in a global context: Organizational leadership and staff, volunteers, contractors, partners, community members, parents and caregivers, etc.
This Course can be completed on your own, with a partner, or as a team. Teams learning together is where growth begins, and we are here to support you in your process of equipping your team to care well for vulnerable children and families. If cost might be a barrier, we offer full and partial Learning Grants for individuals and teams. To be considered for a grant, please fill out this grant application form prior to enrolling.
What You Can Expect
Discussion and Ongoing Collaboration with a Community of Peers
Connect with others in the field to reflect on topics, problem-solve, discuss next steps, and highlight relevant resources for further investigation both during and after the conclusion of the course via a peer learning community.
Editable, Logo-Free
Tools and Templates
Use our editable, logo-free templates to help you make a plan of action for how you can improve the quality of service you provide. These free introductory tools are accessible to any organization or advocate.
CAFO Certificate of
Completion
Earn a CAFO Certificate of Completion by which CAFO stands behind your commitment to learn, grow in, and apply best practices and wisdom-guided.
Example Curriculum
The Core Elements of Success in OVC Care
This eCourse is part of the Core Elements of Success in OVC Care program. It is targeted toward supporting NGOs serving vulnerable children and families as they develop and engage in partnerships with government agencies, other NGOs, churches, and other stakeholders, but principles may apply more broadly.
Ideally, it will be used in conjunction with the Core Elements Self-Assessment and other Core Elements eCourses.
This eCourse can be completed on your own, with a partner or as a team. We believe that teams learning together is where growth begins, and we are here to support you in your process of equipping your team to care well for vulnerable children and families.
About the Instructor
Joy Fitterer serves as the Learning Manager for CAFO’s Center on Applied Research for Vulnerable Children and Families. As a lifelong learner and educator, she has spent the past 18 years as a public school teacher, instructional coach, university professor, director of education and nonprofit board member for organizations serving students and families in the U.S. and abroad. She has also served the local church as a Missions Director and Director of Leadership Development. Joy is especially passionate about creating experiences that foster growth and development for the vulnerable and overlooked.
Joy holds an Ed.D. in Learning Organizations and Strategic Change, a MS in Cultural and Educational Policy, a MS in Language, Literacy and Specialized Instruction, and a BS in Secondary Education, English, and Journalism.