Empowering Children and Youth in Crisis

CASE MANAGEMENT, SHELTER SUPPORT AND DIVERSION PROGRAM REPORT

Supporting Children in Difficult Circumstances and Children in Conflict with the Law
Implementing Organization: Nazhoen Lamtoen

1. PROGRAM OVERVIEW

During the reporting period, Nazhoen Lamtoen continued its efforts to protect, support, rehabilitate and reintegrate children in difficult circumstances and children in conflict with the law across Bhutan.

Through its case management, shelter support and diversion interventions, Nazhoen Lamtoen provided 88 children with individualized support, safe accommodation, basic care, psychosocial assistance, family engagement and opportunities to return to education and community life.

The programs are designed around the principle that children should be supported with dignity and given opportunities to recover, learn from their experiences and build positive pathways for their future.

With the generous support of donors and partners, Nazhoen Lamtoen continued strengthening child-centered services and responding to the individual needs of vulnerable children.

2. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

1. CASE MANAGEMENT

Case management remains a core component of Nazhoen Lamtoen's child protection work. The approach enables the organization to understand each child's circumstances and coordinate appropriate support according to their individual needs.

Key Activities

• Conducted assessments of 20 children requiring protection and support.
• Developed individualized case plans based on children's needs.
• Provided regular follow-up and monitoring of children's wellbeing.
• Coordinated with families, schools, local authorities and other relevant stakeholders.
• Facilitated referrals for children requiring additional services.
• Supported family engagement and reintegration planning.
• Provided psychosocial and emotional support as part of case management.

Impact

Through individualized case management 20 children were able to receive support that responded to their specific circumstances rather than a one-size-fits-all intervention.

Case management also strengthened coordination between children, families, communities and service providers, helping ensure that children remained connected to appropriate support systems.

The approach contributed to improved emotional wellbeing, education engagement and family relationships among supported children.

2. SHELTER SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES

Nazhoen Lamtoen's Children Halfway Home provides temporary care and protection to children who require a safe and supportive environment.

Key Activities

• Provided safe accommodation for 25  children residing at the Halfway Home.
• Provided nutritious meals and essential daily necessities.
• Supported children's access to education.
• Provided clothing and basic personal items where required.
• Supported access to healthcare.
• Maintained supervision and child safeguarding measures.
• Developed individualized care plans.
• Organized educational, recreational and life-skills activities.
• Provided psychosocial support and regular follow-up.

Impact

The Halfway Home provided children with a stable environment where they could feel safe while their individual circumstances were assessed and appropriate longer-term solutions were explored.

Children benefited from regular meals, education, structured routines, psychosocial support and opportunities to participate in recreational and developmental activities.

3. DIVERSION FOR CHILDREN IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW

Nazhoen Lamtoen supported diversion as a child-centered and restorative approach for 3 children in conflict with the law.

Rather than focusing solely on punishment, diversion provides children with opportunities to take responsibility, address underlying challenges and remain connected to their families, education and communities.

Key Activities

• Supported 3 children referred for diversion.
• Conducted case assessments and individualized planning.
• Facilitated family engagement.
• Provided counselling and psychosocial support.
• Coordinated with relevant authorities and community stakeholders.
• Supported children's continued education.
• Facilitated reintegration into family and community settings.
• Conducted follow-up after diversion and reintegration.

Impact

Diversion enabled children to receive appropriate support while avoiding unnecessary involvement in formal justice processes.

The intervention helped strengthen family relationships, reduce stigma and create opportunities for children to return to education and positive community participation.

The uploaded report specifically identifies diversion as helping prevent formal court processing and promoting restorative justice approaches, while coordination with families and communities supported structured reintegration and follow-up.

3. OVERALL IMPACT

The combined implementation of case management, shelter support and diversion has allowed Nazhoen Lamtoen to respond to 88 children at different stages of vulnerability.

Children who require immediate protection can access shelter and basic care. Children with complex individual needs receive case management and psychosocial support, while children in conflict with the law can receive diversion and reintegration assistance.

Together, these interventions contribute to:

• Increased access to child protection services.
• Improved safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children.
• Continued access to education.
• Strengthened family relationships.
• Improved psychosocial wellbeing.
• Increased opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration.
• Reduced reliance on punitive responses for children in conflict with the law.

4. STORY OF CHANGE

For many children who come to Nazhoen Lamtoen Children Halfway Home, life has been marked by difficult experiences, disrupted education, family challenges, and uncertainty about the future. When they first arrive, some are withdrawn, anxious, or unsure of whom to trust.

At the Halfway Home, children are provided with a safe and caring environment where they receive shelter, nutritious meals, education support, counselling, life-skills activities, recreational opportunities, and individual case management. Most importantly, they are given time and space to heal, learn, and rebuild their confidence.

Gradually, small changes begin to appear. A child who was once reluctant to speak starts sharing their feelings. Another begins attending classes regularly and discovers an interest in learning. Through daily routines, positive relationships, counselling, and encouragement, children learn to manage their emotions, make responsible choices, resolve conflicts peacefully, and believe in their own abilities.

The greatest change is often seen when children begin talking about their future not with fear, but with hope. They start setting goals, developing skills, reconnecting with their families where appropriate, and preparing to return to their communities.

The Halfway Home is more than a shelter. It is a place where children are given a second chance to heal from the past, grow in the present, and build a better future.

5. CHALLENGES FACED

Despite the progress achieved, Nazhoen Lamtoen continues to face several challenges in providing comprehensive support to vulnerable children.

Case Management

• Increasing number of children requiring individualized support.
• Complex family and social circumstances.
• Limited access to specialized services in some locations.
• Need for sustained follow-up after case closure or reintegration.

Shelter Support

• Limited shelter capacity.
• Need for adequate resources to maintain shelter operations.
• Increasing demand for psychosocial and counselling services.
• Limited alternative and interim care options.

Diversion and Reintegration

• Limited cooperation from some families.
• Challenges in ensuring sustained follow-up after reintegration.
• Limited livelihood opportunities for older youth.
• Need for stronger community-based support mechanisms.

6. FINANCIAL UTILIZATION SUMMARY

    6. Budget Utlization Summary 

     Program Area                         No. of Cases/Children                               Estimated Budget (Nu)

     Case Management                              20                                                          394,804   

     Shelter Food and Utilities                    25                                                          76,262.00     

     Educational Materails and                   25                                                          96,513.00

     School Expenses

     Counselling and Psychological             5                                                           33,333.00

      Support

      Diversion and Family Support              3                                                          43,950.00

      Reintegration and Follow up                10                                                           84,676.00

      Total                                                     88                                                           729537.00

7. WHAT'S NEXT

In the coming reporting period, Nazhoen Lamtoen aims to:      

• Strengthen individualized case management and documentation.
• Improve psychosocial and counselling services.
• Strengthen the quality and safety of Halfway Home services.
• Improve family mediation and reintegration support.
• Strengthen aftercare for children returning to their families.
• Expand diversion and restorative approaches.
• Strengthen coordination with schools, families, communities and relevant authorities.
• Expand vocational and livelihood pathways for older youth.
• Improve sustainability of shelter and child protection services.

These priorities are aligned with the organization's existing plans to strengthen aftercare, enhance mental health and trauma-informed services, expand vocational partnerships and improve the sustainability of shelter services.

8. GRATITUDE TO OUR DONORS

To our generous GlobalGiving supporters,

Your contribution is helping Nazhoen Lamtoen respond to children when they need support the most.

Whether it is providing a safe place to stay, supporting a child to remain in school, providing counseling, helping a family rebuild relationships or giving a child in conflict with the law an opportunity for rehabilitation, your support creates meaningful change.

Because of your generosity 88 vulnerable children are given more than immediate assistance; they are given safety, dignity, hope and a second chance.

On behalf of the children, families and the entire Nazhoen Lamtoen team, we sincerely thank you for standing with us and believing in the potential of every child.

Together, we can ensure that children are not defined by their difficult circumstances, but are empowered to build safer, healthier and more hopeful futures.

Compiled by:
Ugyen Wangchuk
Program Officer and Administrative Support
Nazhoen Lamtoen

Verified by:
Thinley Tobgay
Executive Director
Nazhoen Lamtoen