Three young children reunited with their parents after two months in residential care
The entire Sărătenii Vechi community is standing by their side
Three young children, aged between six months and three years, have returned home to their parents after spending two months in a residential care institution, where they were deprived of parental love and care. The family has moved to a new community, where they are beginning to build relationships and identify people they can turn to for support. To ensure the children's return home is sustainable, the parents need support and access to services that meet their needs.
At the end of October, CCF Moldova organized its eighth community support group meeting of the year in Sărătenii Vechi. The meeting brought together the parents, a member of their extended family, and representatives of services and institutions that can help them provide a safe and caring home for their children. The community support groups are organized as part of UNICEF's "Better Care for Children" project, with financial support from the Government of Sweden, in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova.
The meeting in Sărătenii Vechi brought together 20 participants, both in person and online, including child protection and social work specialists, representatives of the Centre and Centre-East Territorial Social Assistance Agencies (ATAS), local authorities from the family's former and current places of residence, the kindergarten, healthcare services, the police, civil society organizations, and the local priest. The children's uncle, who is an important source of support for the family, also attended the meeting alongside the parents.
The parents actively participated in the discussions. Together, the participants assessed each child's needs and identified concrete measures to be included in the Individual Assistance Plan:
- Enrolling two of the children in kindergarten as soon as possible;
- Providing legal and psychosocial counselling;
- Supporting the family in accessing social services, social assistance benefits, and financial assistance for the cold season;
- Supporting the mother's access to vocational training;
- Arranging home visits by the family doctor and providing support with infant care.
For a family that has recently moved to the village, the meeting was also an opportunity to get to know the people they can turn to for help. Representatives of the institutions expressed their willingness to support the family, while the parents shared their commitment to taking an active role in the next steps.
"We'll do everything!" said the children's father at the end of the meeting. Two words that reflect his determination to give his children the best possible future within their family. A determination that needs to be backed by practical assistance and continued cooperation from the community.
The children's return to their family marks the beginning of a new chapter. Through community support groups, UNICEF and CCF Moldova bring families together with the people and services that can support them, ensuring that parents do not have to face challenges alone and that children can grow up safely, surrounded by the people who love them.
