THE CHILD’S THE CHILD’S RIGHT TO GROW RIGHT TO GROW UP IN A FAMILYUP IN A FAMILY

THE CHILD’S THE CHILD’S RIGHT TO GROW RIGHT TO GROW UP IN A FAMILYUP IN A FAMILY

Foster Care in the Foster Care in the PhilippinesPhilippines

IntroductionIntroduction

Brief Description of the Situation Brief Description of the Situation of Children in Need of Special of Children in Need of Special Protection (CNSP)Protection (CNSP)

The Response by Government The Response by Government and NGOs and NGOs

Status of the Implementation of Status of the Implementation of Foster Care Foster Care

Challenges Challenges

The Situation of Children The Situation of Children without Parental Care without Parental Care

The Socio-economic Condition in the CountryThe Socio-economic Condition in the Country

• Population is approx. 85.2M with annual Population is approx. 85.2M with annual growth of nearly 2.4M. One out of 3 growth of nearly 2.4M. One out of 3 Filipinos live below poverty threshold of Filipinos live below poverty threshold of P11,906 per year (US$ 235.00)P11,906 per year (US$ 235.00)

• Unemployment rate is nearly 12% and Unemployment rate is nearly 12% and underemployment is 17%underemployment is 17%

• Approx. 8M Filipinos have to work abroad Approx. 8M Filipinos have to work abroad and sent some US$8.5B last year. This has and sent some US$8.5B last year. This has helped keep our economy afloat!helped keep our economy afloat!

NSO 2000

On Health On Health • Infant mortality is 30.7:1,000 live birthsInfant mortality is 30.7:1,000 live births• Under five mortality is 39.2:1,000 live Under five mortality is 39.2:1,000 live

birthsbirthsCauses: Respiratory conditions, Causes: Respiratory conditions, Pneumonia, Congenital anomalies, Pneumonia, Congenital anomalies, Birth injuries, Meningitis Birth injuries, Meningitis

• 38 children are HIV positive38 children are HIV positive15 children have full blown AIDS 15 children have full blown AIDS 9 children have died9 children have died

The Children The Children • 43.4% or 36.9 million children 43.4% or 36.9 million children

or below 18 years or below 18 years • 15% or 12.7 million children 15% or 12.7 million children

between 0-5 yrs. between 0-5 yrs.

HIV/AIDS Registry 2002

Child AbuseChild Abuse

TypesTypes FemaleFemale MaleMale

AbandonedAbandoned 560560 519519NeglectedNeglected 1,3071,307 1,2421,242Sexually abused/incestSexually abused/incest 4,0654,065 6464Sexually exploitedSexually exploited 255255 2929Physically abusedPhysically abused 784784 656656

Sub-totalSub-total 6,9716,971 2,5102,510TotalTotal 9,481 (48% are sexual 9,481 (48% are sexual

abuses)abuses)DSWD 2002

Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of ChildrenChildren

• TraffickingTrafficking• Child ProstitutionChild Prostitution• Child PornographyChild PornographyVictims of commercial sexual abuse are: Victims of commercial sexual abuse are: • mostly female, ages 13-18mostly female, ages 13-18• initiated into sex as early as age 10initiated into sex as early as age 10• belong to large familiesbelong to large families• mostly out of school/drop-outsmostly out of school/drop-outsTotalTotal MaleMale FemaleFemale1.3921.392 103103 1,2891,289

Framework of Action Commercial Sexual

Exploitation of Children

Child LaborChild Labor• 4 million child laborers4 million child laborers• 59.4% or 2.4 million are 59.4% or 2.4 million are

exposed to hazardsexposed to hazards• 6.10 children are unpaid6.10 children are unpaid• 60% are in agricultural areas60% are in agricultural areas• 36.5% do not go to school36.5% do not go to school

2001 Survey on Children by NSO

• Street ChildrenStreet Children• Highly visible children: Highly visible children:

more than 4 hours on the more than 4 hours on the streets streets

• National estimate: 45,000 National estimate: 45,000 • 75% with families75% with families• 20% refrain from going 20% refrain from going

homehome• 5% without families5% without families

DSWD National Project on Street Children 2003

Children in Conflict with the Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL)Law (CICL)

• usually maleusually male• between ages 14-17between ages 14-17• elementary graduateselementary graduates• middle child from low middle child from low

income familyincome family• charged with property charged with property

related crimes, rape and related crimes, rape and murdermurder

• exposed to drugs or gang exposed to drugs or gang influenceinfluence

Children in Conflict with the Law Children in Conflict with the Law cont.cont.PNP Data 2003 PNP Data 2003

• Cases HandledCases Handled 4,2794,279DSWD Data 2003 DSWD Data 2003

• Center-basedCenter-based 1,3431,343• Community-basedCommunity-based 7,9867,986BJMP Data as of June ’04BJMP Data as of June ’04

• SentencedSentenced 8080• DetainedDetained 19881988

DSWD Data 2003

Children in Situations of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Armed Conflict

• as combatants, as combatants, couriers, guides, couriers, guides, medical aides or spies medical aides or spies

• 13-18% of armed rebel 13-18% of armed rebel groupsgroups

• 115 child combatants 115 child combatants captured or captured or surrenderedsurrendered

DSWD 2002 Report

AFP 2002 Report

• Children in Various Circumstances of Children in Various Circumstances of Disability Disability

• more boys than girlsmore boys than girls• 1-5 children in 0-6 age bracket has some 1-5 children in 0-6 age bracket has some

form of disabilityform of disability• 10-14 age group has the highest 10-14 age group has the highest

prevalence rateprevalence rate• more than half are acquired and can be more than half are acquired and can be

preventedprevented 2000 NSO Census

Increasing Number of Children Increasing Number of Children in Child Caring Institutionsin Child Caring Institutions

• 8,338 children (1998-2002)8,338 children (1998-2002)• 57% male57% male• 33% 92,733 between the 33% 92,733 between the

ages of 6-12 years oldages of 6-12 years old

• Reasons for the admission of Reasons for the admission of children to residential carechildren to residential care

• PovertyPoverty• Family dysfunctionFamily dysfunction• Domestic violenceDomestic violence• Solo ParentingSolo Parenting• AbandonmentAbandonment• Imprisonment of parentsImprisonment of parents

The Legal MandatesThe Legal MandatesInternational InstrumentsInternational Instruments

• Convention on the Rights of the Child (July Convention on the Rights of the Child (July 1990)1990)

• Hague Convention on the Protection of Hague Convention on the Protection of Child and Cooperation in Respect to Child and Cooperation in Respect to Intercountry AdoptionIntercountry Adoption

• Optional Protocol to the CRC on the Sale, Optional Protocol to the CRC on the Sale, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, 25 May 200025 May 2000

The Response by Government The Response by Government and NGOsand NGOs

Prostitution and Child Pornography, 25 May 2000

Philippine Laws, Policies and ProtocolsPhilippine Laws, Policies and Protocols• The Child and Youth Welfare Code (December The Child and Youth Welfare Code (December

1974)1974)• Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Special Protection of Children Against Abuse,

Exploitation and Discrimation Act (June 1992)Exploitation and Discrimation Act (June 1992)• Domestic Adoption Law (February 1998)Domestic Adoption Law (February 1998)• Intercountry Adoption Law (June 1995)Intercountry Adoption Law (June 1995)• Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003• Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children

Act of 2004Act of 2004• Policy on De-Institutionalization of Children (June Policy on De-Institutionalization of Children (June

2004)2004)• Turn Around Period on Local and Inter-country Turn Around Period on Local and Inter-country

Adoption (September 2005)Adoption (September 2005)• Juvenile Justice Act of 2006Juvenile Justice Act of 2006

Residential CareResidential Care• 177 NGOs operate 197 residential care facilities 177 NGOs operate 197 residential care facilities

for children with an average capacity of 30-40 for children with an average capacity of 30-40 bedsbeds

• DSWD operates 46 residential care facilities for DSWD operates 46 residential care facilities for children with an average capacity of 50 bedschildren with an average capacity of 50 beds

• Local government units (LGUs) operate 53 Local government units (LGUs) operate 53 residential care facilities for childrenresidential care facilities for children

• Duration of stay of children in Duration of stay of children in residential careresidential care

• Average of 6 months to 3 years stayAverage of 6 months to 3 years stay• Older male children tend to stay Older male children tend to stay

longerlonger

Discharge of Children (1998-2002)Discharge of Children (1998-2002)8,338 served8,338 served• 42% reintegrated to their families42% reintegrated to their families• 9% transferred to other residential 9% transferred to other residential

facilities for long term carefacilities for long term care• 5% placed for adoption5% placed for adoption• 2% for independent living program2% for independent living program• 39% either left the center without 39% either left the center without

permission/run away, still in care or permission/run away, still in care or dieddied

DSWD 2003

• Factors which hinder the discharge of Factors which hinder the discharge of childrenchildren

• Slow legal procedures particularly in the Slow legal procedures particularly in the involuntary commitment or declaration of involuntary commitment or declaration of abandonment of childrenabandonment of children

• Lack of foster and adoptive familiesLack of foster and adoptive families• Difficulty in reintegrating children to their Difficulty in reintegrating children to their

families due to extreme poverty, rejection families due to extreme poverty, rejection and lack of support of the family and lack of support of the family

• Need for continuing medical treatment and Need for continuing medical treatment and educational opportunitieseducational opportunities

• Poor case management and too many Poor case management and too many caseload of social workerscaseload of social workers

Independent LivingIndependent Living• A group of 8 to 10 older children of the A group of 8 to 10 older children of the

same sex live together in the same same sex live together in the same house on their own and supervised by a house on their own and supervised by a social workersocial worker

• Children are provided with educational Children are provided with educational opportunitiesopportunities

• Implemented by very few NGOs working Implemented by very few NGOs working with young people/youthwith young people/youth

• Adoption: Domestic and Adoption: Domestic and IntercountryIntercountry

• 5,574 children placed 5,574 children placed for adoption in 2002-for adoption in 2002-20042004

• 4.837 adopted 4.837 adopted domesticallydomestically

• 737 adopted abroad737 adopted abroad• 359 families applied for 359 families applied for

correction of birth correction of birth registration (1998-2001)registration (1998-2001)

Foster CareFoster Care• Formally introduced in 1962Formally introduced in 1962• Implemented by the DSWD, 6 NGOs Implemented by the DSWD, 6 NGOs

and very few LGUsand very few LGUs• Existing policies and guidelines Existing policies and guidelines • Foster Care Association of the Foster Care Association of the

Philippines (FCAP) as support group Philippines (FCAP) as support group for foster families for foster families

• Foster Care for physically and Foster Care for physically and mentally challenged childrenmentally challenged children

• Foster Care for street childrenFoster Care for street children• Kinship CareKinship Care

Table 1. Distribution of Table 1. Distribution of Children Served by CategoriesChildren Served by Categories

Child CategoryChild Category Number of ChildrenNumber of Children

20032003 20042004

NeglectedNeglected 152152 142142

Relinquished for Relinquished for adoptionadoption

147147 117117

AbandonedAbandoned 117117 143143

With special needsWith special needs 3939 3030

Street childrenStreet children 77 55

TotalTotal 470470 445445

Table 2. Distribution of Children Table 2. Distribution of Children by Age by Age

Age RangeAge Range 20032003 20042004

Below 1 yearBelow 1 year 156156 131131

12 to 24 12 to 24 monthsmonths

100100 113113

25 to 48 25 to 48 monthsmonths

7676 8181

49 to 72 49 to 72 monthsmonths

3838 3939

Over 7 yearsOver 7 years 8686 8080

Table 3. Distribution of Children by Table 3. Distribution of Children by Permanent Placement Permanent Placement

Discharged to: Discharged to: 20032003 20042004

Returned to birth Returned to birth parents parents 129129 123123

Adopted in-Adopted in-country country 6565 4545

Adopted abroad Adopted abroad 7777 4141

Transferred to Transferred to institution institution 1414 44

Still in the Foster Still in the Foster Home Home 8080 123123

Table 4. Duration of Stay of Table 4. Duration of Stay of Children in Foster HomesChildren in Foster Homes

Duration of Duration of Stay Stay 20032003 20042004

6 months and 6 months and below below 134134 105105

7 – 12 months7 – 12 months 8080 8585

13 – 24 13 – 24 months months 9898 9696

25 – 48 25 – 48 monthsmonths 6969 2424

Over 4 yearsOver 4 years 4646 5050

Table 5. Distribution of Foster Homes by Type & Table 5. Distribution of Foster Homes by Type & Agency Agency

20032003 20042004

VolunteeVolunteerr

RegulaRegularr

VolunteVolunteerer

RegulaRegularr

Field Office Field Office II

1515 2323 1515 1010

IIII 2121 77 2121

NCRNCR

2323 3737

IV-BIV-B 1111 1616

VV 33 33 11

VIVI 1313 77 1616 44

VIIVII

IXIX 1616 1111 1818

XIXI 33 55

XIIXII

CARCAR

2929 1212 2525 1010

CARAGACARAGA

11 55 33 44

Sub TotalSub Total 135135 6565 159159 2929

GGOOVVEERRNNMMEENNTT

20032003 20042004

VolunteVolunteerer

RegulaRegularr

VolunteVolunteerer

RegulaRegularr

Concordia Concordia Children’s Services Children’s Services

11 11

CRIBSCRIBS 55 77 1010 66

Home of JoyHome of Joy 44 44

Kaisahang Buhay Kaisahang Buhay FoundationFoundation

1111 3333 1616 3636

NORFIL FoundationNORFIL Foundation 77 3333 55 5353

Parenting Parenting FoundationFoundation

2323 2525 3232 3434

Sub TotalSub Total 4747 102102 6464 133133

NNGGOO

Table 5. Distribution of Foster Homes by Type & Table 5. Distribution of Foster Homes by Type & Agency Agency

Table 6. Problems Encountered Table 6. Problems Encountered by Foster Families by Foster Families

Problem Problem Number of Number of AgencyAgency

Managing the behavior of foster Managing the behavior of foster children children 1515

Coping with separationCoping with separation 99

Limited financial subsidy Limited financial subsidy 1111

Pre-placement issuesPre-placement issues 88

Parental visitsParental visits 66

Table 7. Problems Encountered by Table 7. Problems Encountered by the Foster Care Agencies the Foster Care Agencies

Problem Problem Number of Number of

AgencyAgency

Limited funds Limited funds 1010

Recruitment of foster families Recruitment of foster families 1515

Difficulty in sustaining the Difficulty in sustaining the interest of foster families interest of foster families 88

Overstaying of childrenOverstaying of children 1111

Challenges Challenges • Passage of the Bill on Foster CarePassage of the Bill on Foster Care• Passage of the Bill on Involuntary Passage of the Bill on Involuntary

Commitment of ChildrenCommitment of Children• A need to shift from center-based to A need to shift from center-based to

community based approaches for temporary community based approaches for temporary out of home care for children out of home care for children

• Build, expand and strengthen partnerships Build, expand and strengthen partnerships and alliances between and among and alliances between and among government line agencies, LGUs, NGOs and government line agencies, LGUs, NGOs and the various sectors of civil society to the various sectors of civil society to mobilize more resources for sustainability of mobilize more resources for sustainability of community-based programscommunity-based programs

• Continuing need to hone and upgrade Continuing need to hone and upgrade knowledge and skills of foster families and knowledge and skills of foster families and social workerssocial workers

• Challenges cont.Challenges cont.• Develop a manageable data base and Develop a manageable data base and

monitoring and evaluation system on monitoring and evaluation system on children in various forms of alternative children in various forms of alternative care care

• Undertake research studies on children in Undertake research studies on children in alternative care to support planning, alternative care to support planning, policy and program development policy and program development

• Strengthen the enforcement of laws Strengthen the enforcement of laws protecting children protecting children

• Organize an Asian Network on Foster Care Organize an Asian Network on Foster Care

THANK YOU !!!THANK YOU !!!