GATEKEEPING
Gatekeeping is more than a single decision—it’s a posture of wisdom, responsibility, and alignment. It’s the thoughtful process of deciding which children and families your organization is best positioned to support, and how to do so in a way that avoids harm and promotes dignity.
This course equips you to develop and apply effective gatekeeping practices across your programs. You’ll learn how to prevent unnecessary family separation, identify appropriate care placements, establish decision-making criteria, and align with both legal standards and organizational mission. Whether you're working with governments, local partners, or within your own leadership team, this course will help you steward your decisions with clarity and care.
YOU’LL WALK AWAY WITH
- A clear understanding of gatekeeping and why it’s essential to ethical child welfare
- A step-by-step framework for creating your own gatekeeping criteria and decision trees
- Tools to navigate complex cases, say “no” wisely, and make strong referrals
- Strategies for legal compliance, partnership with governments, and staff training
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A CAFO Certificate of Completion to demonstrate your learning
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Customizable Tools
& Templates
Download editable decision trees, case referral protocols, informed consent templates, and team training resources.
Team Discussion &
Summary Guides
Work through this course with your team or board using built-in reflection questions and planning tools.
CAFO Certificate of
Completion
Show your commitment to growth and best practices with a downloadable certificate from CAFO.
A PROVEN FRAMEWORK FOR BETTER CARE
This course is part of CAFO’s Core Elements of Success program, which provides a clear roadmap to improving outcomes for vulnerable children through evidence-based training on key aspects of quality care.
Drawing from global best practices and enriched by insights from NGOs, field experts, and experienced leaders, each course equips you with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to provide quality care for vulnerable children and families. Topics range from child protection and confidentiality to board governance and fiscal accountability—giving you the resources to implement best practices across every aspect of your organization, ensuring your efforts lead to meaningful, positive outcomes.
If you're committed to achieving measurable results—rather than just hoping for positive outcomes—and need actionable strategies and tools to improve your program, this course is for you.
CAFO’s Core Elements of Success: Simplified care improvement, designed for you.
AT A GLANCE
Make wise, mission-aligned decisions about who your organization serves and how.
- Who is This Course For?
- Organizational leaders serving children and families globally
- Clinicians and child welfare professionals responsible for assessments and placements
- Church and missions leaders involved in service provision or local partnerships
- Network leaders equipping others across regions or national movements
- Policymakers and government advisors building or influencing child welfare systems
- Time Commitment
- Fully self-paced
- Most courses take 3 hours to complete, but you’re welcome to move at your own pace.
- Price
- $89 CAFO Members
- $99 Non-Members
- Need help covering the cost? Learn about scholarships and group discounts.
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Coupon codes can be applied at checkout.
COURSE CURRICULUM PREVIEW
- Who Needs Gatekeeping Criteria?
- Developing Gatekeeping Criteria
- Step 1: Define Your Areas of Service and Expertise
- Step 2: Conduct Community Mapping, Build Partnerships, and Establish Referral Pathways
- Step 3: Develop a Decision Tree
- Step 4: Documentation Requirements
- Additional Resources
- Learning from our Partners
EXPLORE OTHER COURSES
Want to keep learning? Check out other courses in CAFO’s Core Elements of Success program.
