Bethany Christian Services launches Deinstitutionalisation Practice Model document

Bethany Christian Services Ghana, an international non-profit organization committed to keeping and bringing families together in collaboration with the Department of social welfare on Thursday, December 19, 2019, successfully launched the document 'Deinstitutionalisation Practice Model’ - A Guide for Residential Homes For Children (RHC).

The event which was attended by various stakeholders of the child protection fraternity was to officially launch the document which is to guide all, especially Residential Homes for Children (popularly known as orphanage) through the processes transitioning to provide services for children in communities and getting institutionalized children placed in family-based care.

The Department of Social Welfare in 2007 introduced the Care Reform Initiative (CRI) which was to ensure that family-based care takes precedence over all forms of care for children in need of care and protection, particularly institutional care.

In recognition of this Bethany Christian Services, Ghana as one of the organisations spearheading family-based care services in the country developed this practice model for deinstitutionalization in Ghana.

The model is based on the Ghanaian context of care reform and was developed in consultation with child protection and welfare experts such as clinical psychologists, healthcare professionals, social workers from the Department of Social Welfare and representatives of the Association of Children’s Homes and Orphanages (ACHO), other child protection experts and consultants from Bethany Global, Grand Rapids Michigan.

The document rich with existing policies, laws, research, child welfare practice in other countries and Ghanaian operational manuals on alternative childcare guides the user through a clear process of Deinstitutionalisation (DI).

The colourful event which came off at the press centre in Accra was facilitated by Rev. Kingsley Kwayisi from Ghana Without Orphans (GWO) and graced by Sebilu Bodja, Bethany Christian Services Director of African Programs; Naa Adjorkor Mohenu, Country Director, Bethany Christian Services, Ghana; Mrs. Caroline Aggrey Fynn, President of Association for Children's Homes and Orphanages; Mr. Fred Sekyi Boafo Deputy Director Department of Social Welfare and Mr Felix Lauga from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection who represented the sector Minister.

About Bethany Christian Services

Bethany Christian Services was founded in 1944 and has grown to 120 branch locations in 35 states. Bethany was invited by the Department of Social Welfare in 2011 to extend their services to Ghana as part of the Care Reform Initiative. Since then, Bethany has been providing Family Preservation and Empowerment, Foster Care and Adoption services in Ghana.

The agency serves thousands of children annually worldwide in family-based care programs and provides services across a continuum of care. Bethany’s mission is to find a loving, permanent home for every child.