We live together
On a worldwide basis, it has been proven that people with disabilities can live a quality, fulfilling and dignified life insofar as they receive appropriate support within the local community.
The project The life is outside of the institution represents implementation of the model which goal is to relocate persons from residential institutions throughout Serbia. Process of deinstitutionalization involves relocation of some of the most functional beneficiaries into stimulating environments, in this case in the foster families who are trained for providing service of specialized foster care by this project. Process of deinstitutionalization is a complex and long-term process which involves systematic preparation of all participants in the mentioned process (from staff in the institutions through beneficiaries, providers of social protection services to foster parents and sensitization of wider community).
The placing of civil society and the development of capitalist relations has led to large migrations of the population from the villages into towns, which has led to the creation of a concept of population and the development of various social institutions. In accordance with the spirit we speak about each behaviour that differed from the strict norms of that era, was considered undesirable and unacceptable, followed by the movement of persons with such "deviant" behaviour on the social margins. Large institutions were built out of settlements where people with disabilities were accommodated in order to not violate the harmony of the "ideal social" structure. The dominant feature of institution is the spirit of collectivism that develops in them. Social segregation and placement in institutions outside urban settlements, as well as deprivation of beneficiaries have led to discrimination of persons with mental and / or intellectual disabilities.
It is in the people’s nature that they have a fear of what they do not know, which is in some way strange and far away. For this reason, a large number of people have built a relationship of misunderstanding towards people with mental and / or intellectual disabilities. Far from us, they seem to us even more strange, unknown and distant. Because of this, we perceive people with disabilities as significantly different. Often it is unacceptable for us only what others have taught us not to accept, incomprehensible is only what we have never tried to understand, far is only what we never wanted to come closer. People with mental and / or intellectual disabilities are not different from us, we are all different. That is the whole beauty of the splendour of our society. It takes only a little good will to ignore the differences and to understand the essence of the universality of human values, to get to know and understand people who live in social isolation with no fault on their own. It is somewhat true that large number of people with mental and / or intellectual disabilities will not reach the level of functionality that will be sufficient for complete independence. This does not mean that we immediately reject faith in their possibilities, but to support them to maximally develop their inborn capacities. Let's accept and respect them.
The project The life outside the institution which networks providers of social protection services, both from government and non-government sectors, is here to provide the opportunity not only to people with disabilities, but to the whole community, with the goal of creating a society tailored to each one of us.
Press conference
At the press conference held on November, the 23rd 2017 at the press center of Association of Journalist of Serbia, Bratislava Stojkovic- the presedent of the association “Imam pravo”, Goran Rojevic- the director of HO “Child’s heart” and Igor Bosnjakovic- the director of Komora Sociajlne Zastite, represented goals and phases of the development of the project Life outside institution. By their addressing, representatives of the project have pointed out that project activities will be implemented through several successive phases. The first step is mapping, i.e. recognition and selection of 80 persons placed in residential institutions, as well as 45 persons who are in potential risk of being placed in institution due to weak biological or foster families or they are already relocated and now are accommodated in family-like environment. The process of deinstitutionalization will be preceded by detailed analysis of obtained data, education of employed in institutions of social protection, preparation of families for accommodation, research of needs of relocated persons, raising awareness among general public and invitation to joint action. As science shows- life in family environment is the most stimulating for development, independence and functioning in the society. The feeling of family security and support is important and good base in the fight against developmental difficulties. |
The strategies of development of the system of social protection and planes for reforms represent a long process for which successful implementation it is necessary that we all act together, as well as the society in total. By implementing this project, the number of biological and foster families in which persons with disabilities would live will be increased, as well as conditions for development of new social services in the community will be created. The issue of society transformation considers each of us, so it is necessary to act jointly and create society made to measure of each person, emphasize representatives of the project.
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Education of mappers
Another important step in the deinstitutionalization process is the education of future mappers. Two-day education was held in the period from November 30th to December 1st, when 18 employees in residential institutions were educated, where the mapping process will be realized. During the training, the future mappers got familiar with the created documentation and the protocol that is necessary to fully respect when evaluating beneficiaries. The mapping process will include 80 people with disabilities born in Belgrade, and now they are located in residental institutions throughout Serbia: Tesica, Kulin, Čurug, Male Pčelice, Sremčica, Oton, Tutin, Srce in Jabuka, Veliki Popovac, Stamnica. After the mapping process, the functional profile of all 80 mapped beneficiaries will be developed, as well as the individual work plan for each of them.
Achieving cooperation between social protection providers and social services
As it was mentioned in previous article, an integral link in the process of relocation of persons from residential institutions represents networking of social protection providers and social services. By the project Life outside institution it is planned to relocate 5 persons born in Belgrade who are accommodated in institutions throughout Serbia. „Širi, širi, vezani peškiri“- a well-known children’s game explains symbolically the importance of networking, strength, will and long-ranges of joint action. By strengthening network of associates, we are step closer to achievement of our goal. In that respect, by the project, the cooperation with 10 residential institutions throughout Serbia was achieved, although originally it was planned 9. Achieved cooperation is of crucial importance for successfully implemented mapping activity and by which the level of necessary support to persons who will leave institution will be assessed.
The project “Life is outside institution” is implemented by Humanitarian organisation „Child's heart“ in cooperation with Komora Socijalne Zaštite and association „Imam pravo“ from Aleksinac as the applicant on the project. Implementation of project activities is funded by European Union, the Delegation of European Union in Serbia, in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, precisely with Ministry of Finance, department for contracting and financing of EU funded programmes, within the programme IPA 2013 Development of efficient community services in the field of education and social protection at the local level.
The project “Life is outside institution” is implemented by Humanitarian organisation „Child's heart“ in cooperation with Komora Socijalne Zaštite and association „Imam pravo“ from Aleksinac as the applicant on the project. Implementation of project activities is funded by European Union, the Delegation of European Union in Serbia, in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, precisely with Ministry of Finance, department for contracting and financing of EU funded programmes, within the programme IPA 2013 Development of efficient community services in the field of education and social protection at the local level.
Deinstitutionalisation, what is that?
.For many years now, in our country is implementing process of comprehensive reforms in all areas of social life while simultaneously adjusting national legislation with standards of European Union. In accordance to this, in the field of improving position of persons with mental and intellectual disabilities numerous and significant changes has been made. However, like any change, also the change regarding acceptance of persons with disabilities there are still tendencies towards creating continuous social exclusion of our target group, so for this very reason it is necessary to have multisectoral approach along with continuous activities. In that way, existing risks would be reduced to the minimum.
The project Life outside institution represents implementation of linked and proven models of deinstitutionalization and social inclusion, i.e.: relocation of persons from institutions into broader local community, their active inclusion and preparation of the community to equally accept its family members, friend and fellow citizens. Deinstitutionalisation, i.e. relocation of beneficiaries who are permanently accommodated in residential institutions into broader local community, is a complex process which involves several phases:
- Achieving cooperation and networking different sectors of social services providers: from residential institutions, through Centres for Social Work to alternative social services providers
- Creating documentation for assessment of abilities and functionality of persons who are placed in permanent accommodation, in order to define level of necessary support
- Preparation of beneficiaries to leave institution through the programme Life Skills School
- Preparation of biological families and/or foster families for providing adequate support
- Preparation of local community
The process is designed in such manner to only by proper and detailed implementation of above mentioned procedure the beneficiary safely moves from institutional to family environment which, as science tells us, represents the most stimulating environment for all of us. However, besides warm family environment, it is very important that person feels accepted by community also. By developing new social services and engaging within the frames of our own capabilities each of us can contribute to the improvement of the local community. Precisely in this process of deinstitutionalization, it is very important that all of us be part of it and to give support to persons who are going through new life stages in completely new and foreign environment. Only by joint action we can create continuity in the process of relocation of persons with mental and/or intellectual disabilities, i.e. continuity that will permanently influence the reduction of social exclusion of this group.
The project “Life is outside institution” is implemented by Humanitarian organisation „Child's heart“ in cooperation with Komora Socijalne Zaštite and association „Imam pravo“ from Aleksinac as the applicant on the project. Implementation of project activities is funded by European Union, the Delegation of European Union in Serbia, in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, precisely with Ministry of Finance, department for contracting and financing of EU funded programmes, within the programme IPA 2013 Development of efficient community services in the field of education and social protection at the local level
The project Life outside institution represents implementation of linked and proven models of deinstitutionalization and social inclusion, i.e.: relocation of persons from institutions into broader local community, their active inclusion and preparation of the community to equally accept its family members, friend and fellow citizens. Deinstitutionalisation, i.e. relocation of beneficiaries who are permanently accommodated in residential institutions into broader local community, is a complex process which involves several phases:
- Achieving cooperation and networking different sectors of social services providers: from residential institutions, through Centres for Social Work to alternative social services providers
- Creating documentation for assessment of abilities and functionality of persons who are placed in permanent accommodation, in order to define level of necessary support
- Preparation of beneficiaries to leave institution through the programme Life Skills School
- Preparation of biological families and/or foster families for providing adequate support
- Preparation of local community
The process is designed in such manner to only by proper and detailed implementation of above mentioned procedure the beneficiary safely moves from institutional to family environment which, as science tells us, represents the most stimulating environment for all of us. However, besides warm family environment, it is very important that person feels accepted by community also. By developing new social services and engaging within the frames of our own capabilities each of us can contribute to the improvement of the local community. Precisely in this process of deinstitutionalization, it is very important that all of us be part of it and to give support to persons who are going through new life stages in completely new and foreign environment. Only by joint action we can create continuity in the process of relocation of persons with mental and/or intellectual disabilities, i.e. continuity that will permanently influence the reduction of social exclusion of this group.
The project “Life is outside institution” is implemented by Humanitarian organisation „Child's heart“ in cooperation with Komora Socijalne Zaštite and association „Imam pravo“ from Aleksinac as the applicant on the project. Implementation of project activities is funded by European Union, the Delegation of European Union in Serbia, in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, precisely with Ministry of Finance, department for contracting and financing of EU funded programmes, within the programme IPA 2013 Development of efficient community services in the field of education and social protection at the local level
Signed Agreement on cooperation
At the premises of Humanitarian organisation „Child's heart“ on June, the 9th 2017 the first meeting of project team was held. At the meeting it was discussed about implementation of planned project activities on the project „The life is outside of the institution“ and first of all about roles which contracting parties shall have during the implementation of these activities. Based on agreed roles, represenatatives of our organisation have signed agreement on future cooperation with representatives of association „Imam pravo“. Just to remember one again, the project „The life is outside of the institution“ is implemented by Humanitarian organisation „Child's heart“ in cooperation with Komora Socijalne Zaštite and association „Imam pravo“ from Aleksinac as the applicant on the project. Implementation of project activities is funded by European Union, the Delegation of European Union in Serbia, in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, precisely with Ministry of Finance, department for contracting and financing of EU funded programmes, within the programme IPA 2013 Development of efficient community services in the field of education and social protection at the local level.