The Faith to Action Initiative provides free and downloadable resources and study guide materials for churches, faith-based organizations, and individuals seeking to respond to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children. Check often for new and updated publications and links to online resources that inform and support best practice.

Resources

Rethinking Orphan Care: An Introduction to Family Care

Rethinking Orphan Care: An Introduction to Family Care introduces the limitations of orphanages, the importance of caring for children in families, and how to shift support to strengthen families, increase alternative family care options, and empower communities.

Maximizing Your Impact: A Guide for Taking a Systems Approach in the Care and Protection of Children 

This guidance has been created for Christian individuals, ministries, and organizations who recognize the importance of supporting orphaned and vulnerable children in families and are searching for the best ways to engage. Readers will learn how to maximize their impact; leveraging resources and efforts to make long-term, sustainable, and positive changes for orphaned and vulnerable children.

Children, Orphanages, and Families: A Summary of Research to Help Guide Faith-Based Action

Children, Orphanages, and Families: A Summary of Research to Help Guide Faith-Based Action aims to provide a concise overview of a range of studies and findings that can inform approaches to caring for children that have been separated from parental care.

Available translations: French  Spanish

Key Research on Orphanages and Family Care: An Annotated Bibliography

Key Research on Orphanages and Family Care: An Annotated Bibliography is a working bibliography of key research and evidence-based policy papers on the care of orphans and other vulnerable children separated from parental care.

A Continuum of Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children

A Continuum of Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children provides an overview of a range of alternative care options for children who have been separated from parental care.

Explore the Continuum of Care Interactive Graphic

This web-based tool will help you explore a range of care options—a “Continuum of Care”—for children who are separated (or at risk of separation) from parental care.

Transitioning to Family Care for Children: A Guidance Manual

Transitioning to Family Care for Children: A Guidance Manual provides practical guidance and tools for churches, faith-based organizations, donors, and others who are transitioning care for children away from residential care to care within families.

Available translations: French  Spanish

Transitioning to Family Care for Children Tool Kit

The Transitioning to Family Care for Children Tool Kit is an online resource developed by the Faith to Action Initiative for churches, faith-based organizations, donors, and others seeking to transition their care and support of children away from a residential model of care to care within families.

The Online Training is an in-depth, guided learning process that aims to come alongside those who want to build their knowledge and think critically about how to transition their ministries away from residential care to care within families.

The Short-Term Missions: Guidance to Support Orphans and Vulnerable Children is a comprehensive resource that provides guidance and better practice standards for short-term missions to ensure positive outcomes for vulnerable children, their families, and their communities.

Journeys of Faith Study Sessions

This series provides an introduction and overview on topics related to family-based care for orphans and vulnerable children. Each of the downloadable six sessions is engaging, educational, and interactive.

Journeys of Faith Facilitator’s Guide

The Journeys of Faith Facilitator’s Guide accompanies Journeys of Faith resources and study series. The Facilitator’s Guide provides useful tips, tools, and additional resources for individuals that decide to lead a Journeys of Faith study group through their church, school, or with family and friends.

Journeys of Faith: A Resource Guide for Orphan Care Ministries Helping Children in Africa & Beyond

Journeys of Faith is intended as a resource and guide for churches, pastors, lay persons, students, mission teams, and others. It provides examples of orphan care ministries and long-standing partnerships grounded in faith, prayer, and experience.

From Faith to Action: Strengthening Family and Community Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Sub-Saharan Africa 

This publication highlights the programs and strategies that help ensure that children remain in family care. It describes organizations that are doing this important work, especially those established by people of faith in the areas of Sub-Saharan Africa that are hardest hit by HIV/AIDS.

More Resources

These external publications and online resources provide information, practical tools, evidence-based guidance, inspiring examples, and more on a range of topics related to orphan care for those seeking resources to help educate and equip them in putting faith into action.