Subject: TThis listserv will allow researchers, practitioners, and anybody affiliated with orphanage work to communicate about orphanage work, issues, and new directions for improvement.

Description: The “Focus on Orphanages” list is moderated by Vonda Jump (vonda@eiri.usu.edu; (011) 435-797-3579) at Utah State University. Any questions regarding the list should be directed to Vonda.

The purpose of the “Focus on Orphanages” Listserv is to allow researchers, practitioners, and anybody affiliated with orphanage work to communicate about orphanage work, issues, and new directions for improvement. The listserv direction is entirely open to the needs of those on the list and could address needs such as brainstorming, collaboration, support, learning about others’ work, etc. The first step is to learn about others’ work, so that we can be knowledgeable about the expertise on our listserv. From this first step, we may be able to use each other’s expertise to further our own, use the results of others’ work to inform ours, or as a rationale to obtain our own funding. The intent of this listserv is to have a network of experts interested in this topic that we can rely on as needed. Post as often as you like or be a lurker; either will be fine. It is my hope that our collaboration will help improve the system of care for babies and children in orphanages.