The Christian Alliance for Orphan (CAFO) Research Center focuses on child welfare studies examining the effects of spirituality on child welfare leaders and the perspectives of adult biological children from fosters, adoptions and relatives’ homes. Two groundbreaking researches have been presented.
The McLean, Virginia-based CAFO says both studies will entail taking part in an anonymous, 30-minute online survey currently available to participants, closing on March 31, 2025.
“Service becomes deeper and richer when rooted in sufficient knowledge,” said CAFO President Jedd Medefind. “These studies provide fresh knowledge and wisdom to those who serve child welfare and beyond, from foster parents to nonprofit leaders. The goal is guided by insights and bold, love-based and daring. It’s action.”
The new research has been published in 20 global academic journals by Dr. Nicole Wilke, director of the Center for Applied Research for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, and Dr. Amanda Howard, associate professor of psychology at Samford. This is the latest in the original research project. University and senior scholar at CAFO.
“One of the many benefits of the CAFO community is that it covers a huge range of areas of expertise and experience that many members represent,” Wilke said.
“Conversations within the community often reveal knowledge gaps within child welfare practices. The original research has allowed these important questions to be investigated, and the CAFO community represents a wide range of contexts. It allows people to learn from the perspective of those who do it.”
Wilke said the findings from the study aim to improve the well-being of families and other leaders who help vulnerable children around the world. She noted that there is little data on the impact of mental practices on leaders and their effectiveness in the long-term Department of Child Welfare.
CAFO says the new research “explores soul care practices among ministry leaders to identify how they affect mental health and longevity in this type of work.” Ta. Seoul Care is an important part of CAFO’s ministry and offers leaders the annual soul care retreat. It is hoped that new research will more effectively support the Ministry’s refinement and development.
“The more you understand effective soul care, the more effective you can pour into your leaders so that they can pour into what they serve,” added Wilke.
Despite the important roles they play in foster parents, adoption and relatives, there is also little data on the long-term health and well-being of biological children.
The CAFO Research Center is seeking to evaluate “significant insights” from adults with experience as biological siblings.
“We believe that a data-based perspective on biological children’s experiences will help promote the long-term prosperity of future adopters and foster parents,” Wilke said.
Study participants must be “at least 18 years of age or older. During childhood, they were raised in a home with at least one biological parent, and were fostered, adopted, or relatives at least one year before the age of 18. A brother grew up. He speaks fluent English. He has access to the internet. If you are interested, you can access the survey here.
CAFOs, on behalf of 290 organizations and a global church network, helps Christians take care of vulnerable children and families.
