Official launch of the manual

ECOWAS officially launches its manual of "ECOWAS Care Procedure and Standards for the Protection and Reintegration of Vulnerable Children in Mobility and Young Migrants".
After the adoption by the regional institution of the West African Child Protection Network (WAPN) as a transnational mechanism for the care and reintegration of children on the move and young migrants in December 2015, ECOWAS at the 12th meeting of the steering committee of the Network, jointly organized with its partners launched the manual "ECOWAS Care Procedure and Standards for the Protection and Reintegration of Vulnerable Children on the Move and Young Migrants" which reflects the transnational methodology for the care of children adopted by ECOWAS.

This manual, based on more than 10 years of RAO's experience in the transnational care of children on the move and young migrants, explains the 8 steps experimented by RAO and approved by ECOWAS for the care and reintegration of children on the move and young migrants, from their identification to their return to a stable family environment where they can develop better prospects for the future. This care and reintegration is provided by a chain of actors, both State actors (national child protection directorates) and civil society actors.
The launch of this manual marks a decisive turning point in the functioning of the regional network, which is becoming the reference mechanism in terms of care for children on the move and young migrants. With the organisation of an annual review; the steering committee meeting also becomes the framework for evaluating the implementation of national policies for the care and protection of children, and the efforts of states and national civil society to care for children on the move and young migrants.
The newly launched manual includes the following 8 steps for comprehensive and effective child care
1. Identification
2. Emergency care
3. Study of the personal situation
4. Family Research and Evaluation
5. Alternative investment
6. Social and professional reintegration,
7. Monitoring and Evaluation
8. Family and Community Support
The support that the RAO gives to the children it takes care of is based on these 8 steps, reinforced by the CaseData tools which allows to follow the individual care of each child and FinCash which allows to know all the expenses incurred for this purpose by the different parties.