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Moldova gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and today remains one of the poorest countries in Europe. High unemployment and soaring living costs have meant that nearly half of the population lives below the national poverty line. Unemployment, adult migration, poor housing and limited social services have weakened the ability of parents to care for their children. Under this extreme pressure, family breakdown has become more common and resulted in greater numbers of children being placed in residential institutions. There are 12,000 children living in institutional care in Moldova.
EveryChild in Moldova is working closely with Government ministries and local authorities to reform social services to support vulnerable families. We help to prevent new mothers from abandoning their babies in hospitals and residential homes, as well as providing counselling services and support to families who are likely to place their children in residential care. We have supported the Government to develop the first foster care services in Moldova for children who are unable to stay living with their parents. EveryChild also supports care leavers who have spent their childhoods growing up in damaging institutions.
What is EveryChild doing to help?
Supporting the delivery of social assistance services
With the Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Family as the lead Government partner, EveryChild is working to improve the quality and coverage of social care services to the poorest. A clear policy framework for social assistance has been developed and institutional structures are being established so that these social services can be effectively delivered. Social assistance in Moldova includes the distribution of cash benefits and the provision of social services to the most vulnerable families and their children. Reforming the whole social assistance system has meant that the most vulnerable families are reached and they are supported to stay together.
Developing foster care services - Ungheni, Soroca, Orhei, Chisinau
In April 2009 EveryChild supported the Moldovan Ministry of Social Protection, Family and Children to develop the country’s first foster care service as an alternative to institutional care. This initiative resulted from EveryChild successfully piloting foster care in four districts. The Moldovan Government is now working with EveryChild to extend foster care services in 12 additional districts.
Preventing babies from being placed in residential care - Ungheni & Chisinau
EveryChild works with maternity and children’s hospitals in both Ungheni and Chisinau districts, to prevent vulnerable new mothers from placing their newborn babies in residential care or abandoning them in the hospital. In both districts EveryChild has developed a foster care service for young mothers where they can be placed, and cared for, with their babies, enabling them to stay together and bond as mother and child. We have also established Mother & Baby Units to provide short-term social support and accommodation for mothers, enabling them to improve their parenting skills.
Family Counselling -Tiraspol
Our Family Counselling Centre provides social and psychological support for vulnerable families with the aim of strengthening families so they can stay together and decreasing the number of children being placed in residential children’s homes in the region.
Reforming of institutions -Cahul
EveryChild is working in partnership with the local authority in Cahul to reform the Cahul residential school into a centre of services for children deprived of parental care. Children who have been permanent residents at the school are now being reintegrated with their families or being placed with extended families or foster carers. These children are now attending mainstream schools and feel part of society. The centre now provides temporary accommodation for children without parental care whilst they are waiting to be placed in a family-type home. The centre also supports vulnerable families who are at risk of placing their children in residential care.
Support to care leavers - Cahul
EveryChild is supporting care leavers as they make the difficult transition from living in a residential institution to an independent life. Care leavers have been helped to access vocational training and visit potential workplaces. They are also able to attend clubs of interest to help develop their vocational skills as well as providing a safe and familiar support network.
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