New Day Care Center for children with disabilities is being launched in Kutaisi - 24.02.2012
New services are essential for children with disabilities to remain in safe, supported family care 24 February, 2012. Kutaisi. A new early intervention centre and a new day care centre, both for children with disabilities and their families, are being opened today in Kutaisi. The centres are managed by the NGO “First Step-Georgia” and are part of the Government led reform of the child care system supported by UNICEF and USAID. The centres are being inaugurated by The First Lady of Georgia Ms. Sandra Elisabeth Ruelofs, the Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs Mr. Andrew Urushadze, Head of the Social Service Agency Mr Irakli Nadareishvili, USAID Deputy Mission Director Mr Joakim Parker, UNICEF Social Welfare Officer Ms. Keti Melikadze, Head of “First Step Georgia” Board Ms. Deborah Fairlamb, Mayor of Kutaisi Mr. Giorgi Tevdoradze. Different governmental or non-governmental organizations will also be present at the ceremony. The early intervention centre will provide services for up to 100 children of age 0-6. It will provide psycho-social, medical and educational support for children and their families. Through the centre parents can have consultations with different specialists like psychologists, social workers, pediatricians, occupational therapists, and speech therapists. The centre aims at preventing infant and early childhood abandonment, identifying developmental delays early, and providing quality services. The new day centre will serve children with intellectual disabilities aged 6-18 where children will be able to get opportunities to develop, get education and be integrated in society. The renovation of both centers as well as introduction of early intervention programmes has been possible within the framework of the ongoing project “Strengthening Child Care Services and Systems”. The programme is a partnership initiative led by the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs and the Social Service Agency, implemented by UNICEF and the NGOs EveryChild, Save the Children, First Step and Children of Georgia and supported by USAID. The Day Care in Kutaisi is being opened with the support of local authorities of Kutaisi. Children with disabilities are frequently placed in institutional care because families do not have appropriate support to care for them. Day Care centres are critical for ensuring children remain in safe and supported family care. As of today, 25 Day Centre for children with disabilities function in Georgia. *** Maguli Shagashvili, First Step Georgia, (+99532) 2 603 604 fsg@firststepgeorgia.org, www.firststepgeorgia.org Maya Kurtsikidze, Communication Officer, UNICEF Georgia
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