1. Lumos in Haiti From Institutions to Families Presented by Amanda Cox
Programmes & Advocacy Advisor
October 13, 2016

2. How Lumos Works

3. Situation in Haiti
There are approximately 32,000 children living in orphanages or institutions in Haiti.
More than 80% are not orphans.
According to the available information, the majority are separated from their families and placed in institutions because of extreme poverty and a lack of access to basic health, education and social services.
The orphanages in Haiti are predominantly privately run, and funding is, for the most part, provided by foreign donors – often small foundations, NGOs, or individuals.
There exist strong links between orphanages and the trafficking of children.
The situation is compounded by a strong interest in orphanage “voluntourism” by volunteers and missions teams from the U.S.

4. Seven Levels of Engagement for Deinstitutionalisation
International Decision Makers and Funders Through international advocacy we work to divert money away from programmes that prop up institutions and continue to segregate children, towards inclusive services that prevent the separation of children from their families, friends and communities. National Governments and Civil Society We support countries to develop national plans of action to ensure the change in legislation, financing and attitudes necessary to achieve positive change for children in institutions and support Governments through the implementation of change to ensure high quality results for children and families. We encourage and support the sharing of good practice in moving from institutions to community based care and work with other NGOs to share resources and avoid duplication of efforts. We have developed a model approach to moving from institutions to community based care that is applicable across Europe and beyond. Local Government and Statutory Services We assist in restructuring the care systems for children at local level. We strengthen the delivery of community based health, education and social services, making them more accessible to marginalised children, thus preventing them from being placed in institutions. We work with local authorities to transfer resources from large institutions to community based services for children and families. Local communities and civil society We support local NGOs to develop the skills and resources to deliver high quality services for children and families and to advocate for children’s rights. We raise awareness among local communities, empowering them to welcome children returning from institutions and to support vulnerable families. Institutions Moving children from institutions to family based care by necessity takes some time, but we know many children in institutions need our help immediately. That is why we work to improve the health, development and protection of children in institutions from the moment we begin working with them. We involve the institution’s personnel in every stage of the process, turning potential factors of resistance into agents of positive change for children. Families We support families to resolve the difficulties they face that have resulted in their children being placed in institutions. This includes helping to find employment and housing, developing parenting skills and establishing local family support services for children with disabilities. Children We work locally to make sure every child from an institution gets the placement they need, whether this is with their family, in foster care, local adoption or in a small group home. We assess each child’s individual needs and develop a personalised plan. We help them to prepare for the move and continue to support children and their families throughout the whole process. Through training and support we empower children, parents and people with disabilities to act as self-advocates.

5. Actions Taken
Lumos began work in Haiti in early 2015 at the invitation of and in partnership with the Haitian government
Both short and long-term plans were created
Short term plan to close 140 of the worst institutions in collective impact approach
Long-term plan to create a “tipping point” in child care reform, development of systems and services that prevent the separation of children from their families, develop an array of alternative care options and decrease reliance on institutions
Lumos has been:
Building capacity of government and NGOs (High level seminar, study visits, trainings)
Responding to emergencies and working directly in institutions
Documenting cases of child abuse and trafficking
Advocating for government, multilateral and faith-based donors to prioritize family preservation, reunification and community support services over the creation of more orphanages

6. Case Study: Spirit of the Four Winds

7. Results in Haiti To Date
Reassessment of 760 institutions is underway – process of assessing is complicated by many factors
Intervention has taken place in several institutions
39 of 40 children safely reunified with families after being trafficked to an institution
MOU has been signed with anti trafficking commission and study visit with EU Parliament advocacy just finished
Lumos and IBESR will both be represented on Advisory Committee for large project funded by USAID looking at child protection throughout 3 areas of Haiti
Launch of publication: ‘Orphanage Entrepreneurs: The Trafficking of Haiti’s Children’
Manual and Toolkit for faith-based donors funded via Faith to Action Initiative (Launch in November)
Plans for more trainings and support for conferences in development
Interest growing in collective impact plan and piloting of DI in specific communities (ie. CRS)

8. Challenges in Haiti
Lumos’ challenges are challenges faced in most contexts:
Without a substantial system of alternative care, nowhere to place children in an emergency
Lack of prosecutions for corrupt orphanage directors
Dangers inherent in interfering with the livelihoods of those who profit from orphanages
Most orphanages are privately funded by faith-based donors (special advocacy needed)
Sufficient resources lacking (financial and human) to manage such complex change
Sufficient social work and case management skill needed to work with children and families
A shift in societal attitudes is needed, families need to feel empowered to care for children
Lack of free education for all, lack of access to affordable health care and extreme poverty

9. Next Steps in Haiti and beyond…
Completion of the reassessment, evaluation (with government) of information gathered and presentation of results in public forum/conference
Strategic review of current system (strengths and weaknesses)
Urgent development of structure to manage admissions and discharges/gatekeeping for current institutions
Formalize collective impact commitment to close 140 +/- worst institutions
Legislative reform, particularly prosecution of traffickers
Training of all providers and personnel working with children (police, social work workforce, etc)
Ongoing advocacy to influence funds from EU and US towards care reform in Haiti
and beyond…
Selection of 2nd demonstration country programme in LAC region
Collaboration on training and advocacy in LAC region

10. Amanda Cox Programmes & Advocacy Advisor Lumos www.wearelumos.org