Closing Institutions Romania’s case

Infant Homes = 9,309 children 58 Infant Homes = 9,309 children 230 Children Homes = 35,165 children 230 Children Homes = 35,165 children 238 Special Education = 47, Special Education = 47, Other = 7, Other = 7,291TOTAL 580 institutions= 98, institutions= 98,872

1997 – Reform process starts Legal & regulatory framework reform Legal & regulatory framework reform Decentralization of financial and administrative responsibilities to County level Decentralization of financial and administrative responsibilities to County level Increasing the role of the civil society Increasing the role of the civil society Downsizing institutions Downsizing institutions Changing the environment to “family type” Changing the environment to “family type” Developing alternative services (kinship care, foster care, small group homes) Developing alternative services (kinship care, foster care, small group homes) Developing prevention (counseling & support, day care, MBU, etc.) Developing prevention (counseling & support, day care, MBU, etc.)

Assessment & Planning for: The children placed in the institution The children placed in the institution The staff working there The staff working there The facility (the building) The facility (the building) Alternative services required Alternative services required Gate-keeping (preventative services) and support services Gate-keeping (preventative services) and support services

Sept. 2002

July 2003

Bucharest Early Intervention Project IQ Summary findings

BEIP findings

BEIP

BEIP

BEIP

2004 – Law 272 PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 2 IN ANY TYPE OF RESIDENTIAL CARE IS IN ANY TYPE OF RESIDENTIAL CARE IS BANNED!! BANNED!!

1996:98,000 children all in “classic” residential care institutions 1997: The closure process starts 2002: The number of children in alternative care equals the number in residential care (43,000) : 309 “classic” residential care institutions closed All infant homes are closed

Clients of prevention services – active cases at December 31, 2009

Children in care – Dec 2009

Structure of residential care % of active cases at Dec 31, 2009 (including disabled children)

Family care structure

139 classic residential care institutions caring for 6,797 children are still to be closed!