On May, 24 2012 Partnerships for Every Child together with the Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Family organized an International Conference «Modern Practices in the Alternative Care of Children».
The aim of the event was sharing experience in the region and internationally in ensuring child’s right to family. The Conference was organized in the context of the child protection reform, which takes place in Moldova, focusing on the need to develop Foster Care for children left without parental care — a key service in the family and community based services. Foster Care provides a variety of placements in family environment such as emergency, short break, short and long term placements depending on children’s needs and their situation. At the conference there were shared positive international and regional experiences in the development of foster care in particular as well as in prevention/early intervention approaches of at-risk situation child and family may have and deinstitutionalization process of children from residential care.
«We are moving at a slow pace in this area because the local authorities are not yet prepared. This is a complex job, so foster carers must be selected with great care. We also need well-prepared social assistants that are able to identify children with problems or experiencing abuse. If the authorities invest in this area, this will be very beneficial for the future generations», said Partnerships for Every Child director Stela Grigoras.
The conference, which was organized in partnership with the Ministry of Social Protection and Family, featured experts from the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Russia and Georgia, who shared their positive practices in the development of Foster Care. British consultant Hugh Salmon stressed the importance of every child being raised in a family environment, especially until the age of three. It is also important to ensure an environment free from violence, abuse and parental neglect in order to prevent children from themselves becoming abusers in adulthood.
Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Moldovanu stated that the Government was «making every effort» to advance reforms in the child protection system.
Social Protection Minister Valentina Buliga stated that the conference was an opportunity to propose and discuss unique child placement models to be implemented across the country. Valentina Buliga said that for Moldova, where the child protection policies had traditionally been based on the notion of residential institutions, Foster Care ensured the right of the child to a family in conformity with international standards.
She went on to add that Foster Care was a key service in the reformation of the child protection system. In Moldova, 11 regions have so far implemented this service, with the most common types being short and long-term placement. However, the minister stated that Moldova needed all forms of placement. For example, emergency placement, which is uncommon in Moldova, would be very useful for the families with children with disabilities: this type of placement would allow them time to resolve emergency situations.
The event hosted representatives of local authorities from the entire republic, representatives of central authorities, NGOs and international organizations.
The Conference was organized with the «Supporting local authorities of Moldova to provide alternative family based-care to children without parental care» project implemented by «Partnerships for Every Child» in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Family and funded by the World Childhood Foundation.