Both Ends Believing Symposium Marks Turning Point for Organization

Conference inspires mission of defending every child's human right to a permanent, loving family

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Dec 14, 2017, 06:11 ET

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- This November, Both Ends Believing (BEB) hosted its third Global Child Protector Conference and Symposium in Washington, D.C. The sold-out event was attended by delegates from 30 countries, including 16 of the BEB Global Working Group's member countries.

The symposium focused on introducing the participating countries to the Children First software program, developed pro-bono by Tyler Technologies in partnership with Both Ends Believing to help document vulnerable children and empower countries' existing programs to act proactively on behalf of each child. The symposium featured presentations from Haiti, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic, three countries who are successfully implementing the software currently, and resulted in several countries' commitment to adopt the software in the future.

The final day of the conference focused on creating valuable partnerships and relationships in order to combat the long-term institutionalization of children around the globe. It also featured a multitude of distinguished speakers, including Former U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu and Former U.S. Ambassador Susan Jacobs, as well as a moving speech from Quinn Juntunen, the adopted son of BEB founder Craig Juntunen.

The conference culminated in the presentation of the first Global Child Protector Award, an award celebrating those individuals who most strongly exemplify the commitment to improving children's lives globally. This year's award winner was Alberto Padilla from the Dominican Republic. Alberto's work with CONANI in the Dominican Republic, as well as his involvement in the successful implementation of the Children First software in his home country, is an inspiration to child protectors everywhere.

"We were able to showcase how innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit belongs in the core of child welfare programs, and how this new energy will lead to much better outcomes for vulnerable children," remarked Craig Juntunen, founder of Both Ends Believing.

Both Ends Believing anticipates that the momentum gained from the conference will fuel partnerships both domestically and abroad between organizations dedicated to providing family services to all children, and is a significant step towards achieving their mission of providing all children with a loving family.

To learn more about Both Ends Believing, visit www.bothendsbelieving.org.

About Both Ends Believing
Both Ends Believing was founded in January of 2010 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to promote family based outcomes for vulnerable children. Our primary goal is to minimize institutional care for at risk children and redirect these children into reunification with their family, foster or kinship care, or placement into domestic and international adoption programs.

Contact: Jennifer Cawthon
Both Ends Believing
877 908 5161
[email protected]

SOURCE Both Ends Believing