News

Project "Family Care = secure basis for development of the child"

Project’s "Family Care = secure basis for development of the child" aim is to provide social support for families of guardians and to ensure mentor services for guardians, as well as to support disadvantaged children and youth who in guardianship to socialize in community.

The target group are 1) guardian families, 2) children and youth in guardianship. The project will be implemented in Riga – at support center "Dzeguzēni" and Vecumnieki.

The main project activities planned:

1.  Development of the handbook "Support for guardians or foster care,"

2.  Mentor - support for guardians and foster families

2.1. Trainings for potential mentors;

2.2. Support groups for guardians led by trained mentors;

2.3. Individual consultations for guardians led by trained mentors.

3. Providing support to children who are in guardianship or in foster care.

3.1. Creative classes 3.2. English language classes, 3.3. Individual e-counseling and group counseling.

4. Providing support to youth who are in guardianship or in foster care.

4.1. Cultural evenings 4.2. Activities with the touristic elements 4.3. Project afternoons.

5. Summer Camp "Happiness is the family".

6. The book "Happiness is the family".

7. Conferences.

Outcomes of the project:

Developed program "Support guardians, foster care," provided 10 training lessons for  potential mentors,  provided  support groups for guardians (minimum 50) led by trained mentors, provided individual consultations for guardians and foster families.

Children who are in guardianship or in foster care will be given the opportunity to attend creative classes (totally 40 lessons), English classes (totally 40 classes) and receive e-consultations (at least 10 consultations per week).Youth who are in guardianship or in foster care will be participated in the cultural evening (totally 15 times), activities with touristic elements (totally 15 times) and the project afternoons (totally 20 times).

One camp will be organized 3 days long for 50 participants. During the camp will be provided also psycho-emotional support for foster families and guardians with the aim to increase unity of families and improve skills of communication and negative emotion management techniques.

The book "Happiness is the family" will be published (500 copies.), with aim to promote guardianship care as the most appropriate form. Guardians will gain increased self-awareness what in long-term will reduce the number of children who are still in institutional care. Implemented activities will provide professional support to foster families and guardians in general, reduce children and youth social exclusion, as well as will be improved quality of life for these families.

 

— October 2, 2014