SOCIAL SERVICES FOR REINTEGRATION OF CHILDREN FROM ORPHANAGES

Within the framework of the Joint Program of the Government of Turkmenistan and the UN “Improving social protection system through introduction of inclusive high-quality social services at the local level”, a coordination meeting of pilot teams of specialized social services of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Turkmenistan with the heads of infant homes of the Ministry of Health and the medical industry of the country was held in Mary and Lebap velayats. The meeting was also attended by specialists from the UN Children's Fund and international experts from the program.

The participants discussed the goals and objectives of specialized services for reintegration of children from infant homes to ensure the child's right to a family, discussed the organization of this process. Representatives of Infant homes also got acquainted with the methods of work of social work specialists and psychologists of the Social Service Centers for accompanying families in the process of reintegration, including a comprehensive assessment of the family and parenting competencies, case management in accordance with the Individual Family Support Plan.

The joint program envisages strengthening the capacity of social work and social services in Turkmenistan through the training of specialists and managers in social work. The new model of social services at the local level will be fully adopted by the government for implementation on a wider scale as part of the implementation of the National Program of the President of Turkmenistan for the socio-economic development of the country for 2019-2025. By 2022, based on the results of the joint program and based on the effectiveness of manned services, the government is expected to increase budget allocations for social services at the local level.

Ayjahan Ataballyeva

Social services for reintegration of children from orphanages (turkmenistan.gov.tm)