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From better care to successful social inclusion of children and youths in Smolyan region

Project is financed by Medicor Foundation, Lichtenstein. The project’s duration is 24 months.

Overall objective:   Strengthen the alternative care for children in Smolyan region

Specific objectives:

  1. Development and provision of services in Small group home for children aged 3-12 with places for emergency placement of small children;
  2. Preparation for successful social integration of care leavers placed in the Small group home for youths aged 15-18
  3. Raising public awareness about the meaning and the role of alternative care to support children and families at risk

Beneficiaries          

At least 24 children- 2 of them are 0-3 years old, 10 are  aged 3-12 and 12 are aged 15-18. All are placed in the both SGHs. Depending on the length of the placement and in order to keep it as short as possible, the number of children passed through the SGHs could be higher.

Indirect beneficiaries: About 30-40 parents and wider family members of those children and all professionals working in the both SGHs.

Local Partner(s):   

The project is implemented by ISS-Bulgaria. The organization has concluded a Cooperation agreement with the municipality of Smolyan with the responsibilities and the wrights of each partner during the time of project execution and for the assurance of the sustainability of project activities after the project end.

 

Short Project Description

The project will be implemented trough execution of the following activities and subactivities, which are described in details in the attached project document:

Activity 1. Project management and monitoring
Activity 2. Interior completion of the building for the SGH, restructuring of the roof, equipment and furniture of the premises.
Activity 3.  Development of the staff capacity for delivering  services in SGH.

3.1.Recruiting, selecting and training of the personnel for the SGH for children aged 3-12.

3.2. Training of the staff for the SGH for youths aged 15-18.

3.3. Consulting and supervision of the personnel.

Activity 4. Provision of services in the SGH for children aged 3-12.

Activity 5. Further development of social skills in youths placed in the SGH for children aged 15-18. 

5.1. Conduction of 5  two days module trainings aimed at acquisition of different social skills

5.2. Organize a two-day trip to Sofia to become familiar with the central state institutions.

5.3. Conduct 5-day hike in the mountains for acquisition of practical skills for independent living.

5.4. Create conditions for development of perseverance in adolescents in carrying out an activity through a hobby

Activity 6.  Development and implementation of communication strategy and plan for the realization of the project objectives.

 

Results:                   

  • Completely finished, equipped SGH, corresponding to all standards for provision of social services for children and sanitary requirements and providing conditions for accommodation of children aged 0-12.
  • SGH for children aged 3-12 is opened and provides services. The quality of services in the SGH is high – they are in full compliance with the quality standards for that kind of services in force in Bulgaria
  • Developed and executed programs for staff trainings.
  • Recruited and trained personnel for the SGH for children aged 3-12.
  • The staff of the SGH for children aged 15-18 is trained and know better how to prepare the young people for independent life
  • The staff of the both SGH receives regularly professional support.
  • The youngsters are involved plainly and participated actively in social skills trainings and are ready to practice them.
  • Developed and executed information strategy and plan for its implemented

 

Sustainability          

Institutional

The formed and trained teams of the SGHs as well as developed methodology and work documentation will remain locally owned after completion of the project. They will benefit the target groups of the project. The gained experience will be used by local experts from state and municipal entities working in the field of children's rights.

Financial

The participation of representatives of Smolyan Municipality in the Management Council will prepare the municipal administration to develop a proposal to the Municipal Council to open the SGH for children 3-12 years in accordance with the legislation in the social area. Thus, after completion of the project the service can be opened and receive state funding as a state-delegated activity.

During the project implementation ISS –Bulgaria will lobby at the SACP and ASA to increase financial standard of the SGHs in order to have additional funds for covering activities, related to the social integration not only of the care leavers but of all children.

Monitoring             

A Management Council (MC) will be established, consisting of representatives of the ISS-Bulgaria Foundation, Smolyan municipality, Regional Directorates “Social Assistance”, directorate “Social Assistance”- Smolyan. The MC has to monitor the  execution of the planned activities and to evaluate their results. The Council will meet every three months.