When we think about protecting children, we often imagine frontline care counseling, education, and basic needs. And while that support is essential, there’s another layer of protection happening behind the scenes: policy partnerships that strengthen entire systems of care.
At CERI, we believe that lasting change doesn’t just happen in homes, it happens in legislation, social work infrastructure, and government-led reform. That’s why we don’t work alone. We partner with governments around the world to build stronger, more responsive child protection systems that help families stay together and give children the stability they deserve.
Why Government Partnerships Are Essential
When governments lead the way in child protection, real transformation is possible. Here’s why these partnerships matter:
1. They Scale What Works
While CERI works directly with children and families, government systems reach millions. By sharing data, best practices, and program models with government leaders, we help scale family-centered approaches across entire regions or countries.
2. They Build Sustainability
Short-term support is important but long-term change requires systemic reform. When laws, policies, and social service frameworks are improved, children benefit for generations.
3. They Strengthen Local Ownership
We don’t drop in with one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we support local leaders, caseworkers, and government agencies in creating child protection strategies that are culturally rooted and community-led.
Real Impact Around the World
CERI has partnered with governments in Moldova, South Africa, India, Sri Lanka, and now Guatemala to shape stronger systems for family care and child protection. Our partnerships have helped:
- Train and empower local social workers
- Support legal reforms that prioritize family-based care over institutionalization
- Build national strategies for foster care, case management, and trauma-informed support
- Strengthen coordination between government agencies and NGOs
In every country we serve, we adapt our model to fit the local context because protecting children should never come at the cost of cultural sensitivity or community leadership.
Guatemala: A New Chapter in Systemic Change
Our newest work in Guatemala is a powerful example. While many people know us through mission trips and grassroots support, our mission is evolving. We’re now partnering with government leaders to build stronger protections for children and more support for families so that fewer children are separated in the first place.
Through vocational programs, family counseling, and child sponsorship, we’re creating sustainable ways to keep childhood in the home, where it belongs.
Every Policy Change Starts With People Who Care
Government systems may seem complex or distant, but the goal is simple: safe, loving families for every child.
Whether you give, sponsor, or advocate you’re part of that transformation. Your support helps CERI influence both individual lives and national-level change.
One gift. A lifetime of impact.
