As more organizations are making the choice to transition from housing children to family-based care, WezaCare Solutions has pioneered the Transition Roadmap, a step-by-step guide for organizations to safely and effectively switch their model of care.

While this process can take 18-24 months to complete, organizations never go through it alone! WezaCare Solutions is with them every step of the way, giving support with our knowledgeable and experienced consultants and facilitators. 

The Transition Roadmap consists of three phases:
Phase 1: Learning and Decision Making
Phase 2: Preparing for Transition
Phase 3: Implementing the Transition

Phase 1: Learning and Decision Making 

The transition roadmap journey begins with Phase 1 which focuses on aligning leaders to fully comprehend the rationale behind transitioning to family- and community-based care. Once leaders have gained this understanding, they can work towards reaching a consensus to shift their organization towards this model.

Phase 1 includes:

• Learning the Reasons for Transition
• Understanding the Legal Framework
• Key Stakeholder Engagement
• Decision Making Process
• Making the Decision

It can be tempting for organizations to skip this phase, and start directly with preparing and implementing. Phase 1 is crucial to building a strong foundation for an organization’s transition. This phase allows for deep and meaningful conversations that will prepare everyone involved.

Phase 2: Preparing for Transition

Phase 2 is a pivotal period during which leaders engage in active collaboration to develop a comprehensive plan for transitioning. With a focus on unity and clarity, the objective is to prepare for strategic implementation. 

Phase 2 includes:

• Organization Assessment
• Strategic Planning
• Organization Planning
• Program Planning
• Transition Planning

Phase 2 includes assessing the needs of the children, families, and community at large, and deciding how an organization can adapt to meet those needs while also restoring children to families. Taking intentional time in this phase allows for careful planning for the best outcomes for everyone involved, especially children. To plow forward into family-based care without a plan could be detrimental to children who are already vulnerable. 

Phase 3: Implementing the Transition

Phase 3 represents the ultimate stage of this journey, where leaders implement their transition plan into action. The primary objective is to advance together efficiently ensuring the plan is safe for children.

Phase 3 includes:

• Employee Development 
• Piloting and Validation
• Program Implementation
• Monitoring and Evaluation

All of this leads to complete implementation of family-based care!

By the time an organization has successfully completed the Roadmap, employees are trained in new roles, the organization is providing needed services to the community, and children are being restored to families. The organization, community, families, and children all come out of this journey stronger and more connected than ever before. 

Transition can be a challenging road, but leaders don’t have to walk it alone. With the help of the Roadmap and WezaCare consultants, when they arrive at their destination they’ll be surprised how far their impact can truly go under this new model of care. 

Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the Transition Roadmap on a journey of discovering this new global shift in child welfare.