Year one program activities of the Families For Children Program (FCP) concentrated on creating foundations for the development of a sustainable and replicable continuum of quality services for children who otherwise would be institutionalized or on the street.
The first quarter of the year was dedicated to selecting pilot regions and pilot sites, assessing existing services, identifying gaps and needs as well as establishing relationships and networking with local, regional, national and international NGOs, public service providers and decision makers.
During the second quarter, an in depth baseline assessment was conducted in the five pilot sites. A monitoring and evaluation system was developed, targets were identified and indicators were selected.
The third quarter was very busy due to the training for social service providers and monthly community family care workshops taking place in the three pilot regions.
In the fourth quarter, the grant program became fully operational and the first open grants competition was announced. Local Action Plans were discussed and finalized setting the direction for the next program year.
The following results were achieved within the first program year:
Seventeen community family care workshops were conducted in the pilot regions:
- Foundations for Child Protective Services, Part 1, 2
- Child Development and Child Welfare
- Permanence & Placement
- Comprehensive services for HIV-affected families and children
- Setting Direction for Change
Eighteen child welfare workers from three pilot regions completed a training program on family based care which was comprised of six training modules:
- TOT: Adult Learning Techniques
- Basic social work skills
- Family-based care
- Prevention of early abandonment
- Psycho-social support for HIV-affected families and children
- Community-based social work
Eleven individuals representing the mass media from the three pilot regions underwent training on families and children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Four NGO representatives from the three pilot regions participated in HIV/AIDS summer school in Romania organized by Close To You and Holt Romania Foundation.
Eight public and NGO service providers participated in the Child Welfare Study Tour to Romania.
Local action plans were developed by each of the five pilot sites.
The grant program began and the first open competition was conducted.
