Alternative services for children in Azerbaijan Ministry of Education The Republic of Azerbaijan 2 nd Child Protection Forum Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan May, 2009

First steps in development of services First steps in development of alternative services in Azerbaijan undertook by the NGOs with the Government support. During last 5 years the basis for devlepment of social services for children were established.

State alternative social services for children 3 Family Support Centers 2 Day Care Centers

Alternative social services for children run by NGOs 7 rehabilitation centers for children with disabilities 1 Family Home for street children. 2 SOS Childrens Villages for children deprived of parental care.

Rehabilitation centers for children with disabilities One of local NGO «Mushfig» established in 2001 on the initiative of parents of children with disabilities. Main aim: provide support in the family re-unification of children with disabilities. Provided services: Psychological support Physiotherapy Sensor therapy Life skill and basic vocational development Development therapy Counseling with expert etc.

Rehabilitation centers for children with disabilities Rehabilitation centre «Радуга». Provide services for family and children. Early intervention Psychological support Speech therapy Art therapy, life skills, game therapy, Preparation to Schools Portents associations Training

Rehabilitation centers for children with disabilities One of active NGOs in development of services is UAFA (United Aid For Azerbaijan) – development of community based rehabilitation services in 6 regions of the country. Focus on two main areas: 1.Community based rehabilitation 2.Development of social services

Rehabilitation centers for children with disabilities Open Society Institute in Azerbaijan established 4 rehabilitation centers. «Mental Health Initiative» is establishing mobile social services for children with disabilities in 3 regions of the country.

SOS Childrens Villages for children deprived of parental care SOS Villages provide family based protection for children deprived of parental care. 35% of the NGOs budget is provided by the Ministry of Education. Provided services: Establishment of families for children Support in development

Social contracts with NGO for implementation of the State Program Based on the agreement with the «Save the Children» Gov. receives support in transformation of 3 residential institutions into daycare centers. Based on the agreement with the «Medical Health Initiative» Gov. receives support in de- institutionalization process of one residential institution for children with mental disabilities.

Daycare centers 2 alternative care centers were established in the framework of the State Program on De- Institutionalization and Alternative Care: 1) Daycare centre for children, incl. those at risk 2) Family and childs support centre According to the Master Plan on Transformation of Residential Child Care Institutions: in all transformed institutions daycare services will be established.

Daycare centre for children, including those at risk

Centre established within an orphanage Designed for 80 people Based on the Master Plan for Transformation of Child Care Institutions, this orphanage will be transformed into a daycare center

Daycare centre for children, including those at risk Centre provides psychological services for children and families from the risk group Centre is financed by the Ministry of Education

Support centre for children and families Centre is located in one of regional centers of Azerbaijan Financed by the Ministry of Education Provide services of psychologist, speech therapist, and other specialists for children with special needs and their families

Education of social workers Government provides active support in the development of a social workers cadre. In 2005 established a Master Degree course for social workers at the Baku State University. From 2008 also a B.A. of social work is ongoing at the same University.

Social contracts with NGO for implementation of the State Program In a near future we plan to launch a project for the establishment of foster care jointly with the Hilfswerk Austria – with the aim of establishment of foster care system in the country.

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