The Overall Objective is to collaborate with the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security – Child Care & Protection Agency (MHSSS-CCPA) to build strong systems, policies, practices and guidelines that ensure the new child protection legislations becomes operational for the social protection of children to have family or family type environment to thrive and develop to their full potential free from abuse by Dec 2014.

Specific objectives: 1. Collaboration with CCPA to strengthened social protection services for the provision of alternative family-based care (foster and kinship care) for children without parental care and growing up in institutions/orphanages and prevent the separation of children at risk of losing parental care by Dec 2014.

2. Capacities of 30 human rights workers strengthened to effectively deliver comprehensive alternative family based care services to children and their families in line with the UN guidelines on alternative care and local legislations by Dec 2014.

Activities

1. Collaboration with the CCPA to strengthen alternative family-based care inclusive of foster and kinship care for 300 children without parental care and 200 children at risk of losing parental care.

2.One Trainer from the Better Care Network develops the capacity of 30 human rights workers (ChildLinK and CCPA staff) to strengthen the delivery of alternative family-based care services for children who cannot be cared for by their parents.

3. Organizational development training for the strengthening of institutional processes (CCPA &ChildLinKInc), practices and learning and enacting appropriate systemic changes for the implementation of the UN Guidelines for alternative care in Guyana.
4. Parenting Skills Education (PSE) training increasing 200 caregivers’ skills and knowledge in parenting and ensure that children in foster/kinship care or at risk of growing up without their families are protected from all forms of violence and abuse.
5. Conduct public awareness campaigns to promote alternative family-based care and increase dialogue and information on the care and protection of children to tackle the abuse and separation of children whilst strengthening the voice of stakeholders including vulnerable children.