The CPIMS+

One Child, One Case, One System

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 23:53:31 -0700

There is a particular kind of bureaucratic magic that almost nobody notices when it works, and that magic just happened in Ethiopia!

In June 2026, at the Adwa Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian government launched something with a name that sounds more like a proverb than a policy: MAKATET (ማካተት), which translates roughly to "inclusion." Behind the ceremony and the speeches sat an impressive achievement: the government had just finished merging two entirely separate child protection system into one. If that doesn't sound thrilling, stay with it. Because what got merged, and why, is a story about what it actually takes to make "inclusion" more than a word on a banner.

The Problem with Two Systems

For years, Ethiopia ran its Child Protection Information Management System, known as CPIMS+ Primero, on two parallel platforms. One version served host communities: Ethiopian children navigating abuse, neglect, family separation, or other protection concerns. The other served refugee children, tracked separately through the Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) in coordination with UNHCR.

Two systems. Two Primero environments. Two sets of case workers, potentially looking at two different pictures of the same community, sometimes even the same family.

Anyone who has worked in social services knows what that produces: duplicated intake interviews, cases that fall through administrative cracks, and a refugee child who, the moment their status shifts, or their family moves, or a case worker changes, effectively becomes invisible to one of the two systems tracking them. Data silos are never just an IT inconvenience. In child protection, they can mean a follow-up visit that never happens.

The Numbers Behind...Read More

Protecting every child begins with being seen

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:12:02 -0700

In the Central African Republic (CAR), childhood is shaped by fragility as much as by resilience. Years of armed conflict, population displacement, poverty, and weak access to basic social services continue to expose children
to serious protection risks. Many face violence, exploitation, neglect, family separation, and psychosocial distress, often simultaneously. For child protection actors, responding effectively means not only providing services,
but ensuring that every child’s situation is properly understood, documented, followed up, and protected over time.

Yet, in highly constrained contexts such as CAR, this is easier said than done.

Children at the Centre of a Complex Reality
Child protection services in CAR are delivered by a mix of governmental institutions, international organizations, and national civil society actors. Over the years, these actors have worked tirelessly to respond to urgent needs.
However, the systems supporting child protection case management, how information is collected, managed, shared, and safeguarded, have often remained fragmented.

Multiple tools, mostly paper-based and excel spreadsheets that collect only a limited set of information and not always harmonised, have been used to document cases. Information has been stored in silos, with limited capacity to analyse trends or ensure continuity of care when children move, services change, or staff rotate. In a context where confidentiality and data protection are paramount, these limitations increase risks for children and constrain the ability of social workers to deliver quality, coordinated case management.

The Challenge of Case Management in Fragile Settings
Effective child protection case management...Read More

World Children's Day 2025

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 08:19:53 -0800

Why World Children’s Day Matters (and How You Can Celebrate!)

Did you know that every year on November 20, the world comes together to celebrate children everywhere? Today is World Children’s Day! While some countries have their own special day, November 20 is the big one, thanks to the United Nations and a history of struggle and commitment.

The History behind WCD

What’s the story behind this day? Back in 1954, the UN decided we needed a day to focus on children’s welfare and rights. November 20 is extra special because it marks the anniversaries of two huge milestones: the Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). Basically, it’s a day to remind everyone that kids aren’t just mini-adults —they’re individuals with their own rights and voices.

This year’s theme is “My day, my rights” and “For every child, every right.” It’s all about making sure kids get to speak up and be heard. Schools and communities around the world celebrate with events, campaigns, and fun activities to raise awareness about children’s rights—like the right to education, protection, and play.

Let’s talk about some real game-changers for child protection in 2025: CPIMS+ and Primero. These digital platforms have been making waves all over the world, helping child protection workers do their jobs better and faster. This year, CPIMS+ was rolled out in new countries like Mali, where it’s transforming how vulnerable children are identified, supported, and tracked. The system now supports real-time case management, secure data sharing, and better coordination between agencies—meaning kids get help quicker and nothing falls through the cracks. In places...Read More

A new era for child protection in Mexico

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 09:51:04 -0700

CPIMS+ Rollout in Mexico: A new era for child protection

In a significant stride towards enhancing child protection, Mexico has recently rolled out the CPIMS+, a modern web-based platform designed to facilitate case management for vulnerable children. This initiative, supported by UNICEF, aims to strengthen the protection of children and adolescents across the country.

The CPIMS+ is a key component of the new National Case Management Model (MOGEC), which was introduced by the National System for the Integral Development of the Family (DIF Nacional) on June 26, 2025. This model standardizes processes, systematizes best practices, and promotes a child-centered approach through the Procuradurías de Protección de Niñas, Niños y Adolescentes (PPNNA) across Mexico.

Strengthening Case Management

The CPIMS+ is designed to enhance case management through modern information management technology. It offers intuitive digital forms and clear workflows to assist with documenting case management processes, from identification and registration to assessment, case planning, referrals, tracking service provision, and case closure. This system can be easily configured to reflect different standard operating procedures (SOPs), roles, and programs in any language, making it a versatile tool for child protection agencies.

©Ernesto Baca (2025).Teams from SNDIF, Child Protection Authorities and UNICEF, during the official launch of Primero in Mexico.

One of the standout features of the CPIMS+ is its ability to work both online and...Read More

Taking the initiative in China

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 02:59:23 -0800

In collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the China Center for Children's Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA), UNICEF China is helping to strengthen child protection system at county level through the Integrated Child Protection Model (ICPM) project. In September 2024, the China team launched the CPIMS+/Primero system across 11 counties in six provinces as part of the ICPM project. By December 2024, the initiative had significantly enhanced case management for over 1,300 child protection cases.

CPIMS+/Primero has streamlined case management processes, enabled faster response times and improved data accuracy. Notable achievements include more efficient service delivery, smarter case management, and a scalable framework. This marks the first instance of self-hosting within a government partner in China. The China team successfully completed the entire deployment process, including system configuration, database setup, workflow customization, and extensive testing and debugging. Challenges, such as adapting the system to local contexts and training stakeholders, were effectively addressed...Read More

Creating change in Cameroon: Decisive action on child rights

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:04:06 -0800

A Reaffirmation of Commitments, by guest blogger Mamadou Aliaza Toure

Cameroon has taken a decisive step in protecting its vulnerable children with the official launch of the CPIMS+ for Children system on November 14, 2024, in Yaoundé. This landmark event, organized by the Ministry of Social Affairs (MINAS) in collaboration with UNICEF, brought together a wide range of stakeholders from the child protection sector, including representatives of the Cameroonian government, civil society organizations, development partners, and field experts.

The ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Social Affairs, who emphasized the critical importance of this system in the ongoing efforts to strengthen child protection in Cameroon. She stressed that the implementation of CPIMS+ represents not only a technological advancement but also a major turning point in the management of child protection information. In the presence of several government officials and UNICEF representatives, the Minister reaffirmed Cameroon's commitment to creating a safe and protective environment for all children, especially those in vulnerable situations.

UNICEF representatives, including the Resident Representative, praised the initiative, highlighting the vital role this system plays in improving the collection and monitoring of child protection data. UNICEF reaffirmed its support for Cameroon’s efforts to develop more robust and effective protection mechanisms. They stressed the importance of integrating technology into child protection management systems, which enhances transparency, efficiency, and the speed of interventions.

For the Cameroonian authorities, the launch of CPIMS+ marks a significant turning point in the management of child protection data. This system will centralize and secure sensitive information concerning...Read More

We passed the test... We're live in Timor Leste!

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 12:15:25 -0700

Government investment in the children of Timor Leste

The Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI) of Timor-Leste, in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), has launched Primero to help social service providers to coordinate critical support to vulnerable children. This launch coincided with the commemoration of ASEAN Social Service Work day, a day designated to raise awareness on social service workforce’s critical role in protecting the most vulnerable and marginalised individuals from violence, harm and abuse.

In front of a large crowd, her Excellency, Verónica dasDores, Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, logged into the system to symbolise the first step in activating what will become the backbone of Timor-Leste’s nationwide child protection social service practice. The Minister also applauded the invaluable contribution being made by social workers across the country.

Timely response to child protection issues

“Primero is yet another milestone achieved by the 9^th Constitutional Government of Timor-Leste to strengthen the Child Protection System in any setting. From now on, I am confident that Child Protection Officers (CPOs) will be able to provide, timely, robust follow-up support. This digitised system has features which alert CPOs to act, by indicating the place where abuse has taken place, and also guide them on how to record information safely and in a confidential...Read More

The power of Primero/CPIMS+ in our child protection response in Ukraine

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:27:02 -0800

The impact of war on children

As we mark two years since the start of the war in Ukraine, the nation’s most vulnerable children continue to face unimaginable dangers and hardships. With over three million children in dire need of humanitarian and child protection assistance, the continuous violence, displacement, and loss of caregivers has taken a heavy toll on their mental health, leaving millions at risk of depression and PTSD.

Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, UNICEF and its humanitarian partners rallied together to safeguard the rights and well-being of children in Ukraine. Led by the Ukraine Child Protection Area of Responsibility*, organizations mobilized to provide essential interventions, including mental health support, reintegration services, and protection for children with disabilities.'

A Call to action: Enter Primero/CPIMS+

Amongst these efforts, the idea of a centralized digital case management system took shape. Primero/CPIMS+ – Child Protection Information Management System – a proven solution utilized by our partners such as Save the Children and UNHCR globally, quickly became the answer. With its proven success in other contexts, the system was tailored to Ukraine's needs, ensuring alignment with local procedures and...Read More

Protecting Vulnerable Children from Violence

Sun, 04 Feb 2024 07:29:16 -0800

Improving Child Protection with Digital Public Goods

For the first time in three years, 30-year-old Chenda, felt secure in her home and relieved that 11-year-old Arun’s* confidence was growing at school - he couldn’t stop talking about his science lessons. As she sat on her sofa and sipped tea, she felt content and above all relieved that her husband was going to work everyday and had stopped a destructive drinking habit. Chenda had returned home after a full year of taking shelter at her sisters, ever since, the family home felt unsafe.

With support from social services, including multiple interventions over a full year, Chenda’s husband was able to access the support and encouragement he needed from his community to stay sober and employed and eventually be reunited with his wife and child.

Social Worker Phon Chanthorn (47) consults a family in Kandal province. The family is in need for support particularly to generate income due to the mother’s health condition. Chanthourn is suggesting solutions that will help keep the daughter in school and the mother to be able to support the family. Since Primero has been deployed in 2020, more than three hundred social workers have been trained and the software has been roll-out to 25 provinces and 204 districts.

This is...Read More

Investing where it matters in Guinea

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 10:35:29 -0700

The High Road to Protecting Child Rights

Guinea is a land of geographic and cultural diversity. Nestled between six neighbours on the coast of West Africa, it reaches from the Atlantic Ocean across breathtaking mountains, plateaus and forests, to the Sahel desert. More than twenty languages are spoken by its more than thirteen million inhabitants. Conakry - the bustling capital of Guinea - has a population of two million, accounting for more than 15% of the total population of the country.

Children, girls and boys represent just over half of the entire country's population. These young ones are disproportionately affected by risk factors such as climate change, demographic change, socioeconomic exclusion, humanitarian crises and harmful social norms. Although communities have attempted to adapt locally, build resilience and maintain social cohesion, this context is challenging. In all aspects of their lives, children depend on stable, functioning protection systems to address and respond in defence of their rights.

“Since 1984, UNICEF has worked daily alongside the Government of Guinea to respond holistically to the needs of children and promote their rights and well-being. We must leave no child behind in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. We must remain mobilized, committed, creative and ambitious for the children of Guinea".

Félix Ackebo, UNICEF Representative in Guinea.