Moldova Reform of the residential childcare system evaluated

Project : Moldova 7 Feb 2012 | state care homes

February 1st 2012, Chisinau, Moldova: As a last step of the reform of the residential childcare system an evaluation is being done of it. With the support of UNICEF and OAK Foundation, Terre des hommes is conducting the evaluation between November 2011 – June 2012.

The process of deinstitutionalization is a challenge for the ministries responsible, it takes time and resources. For a better understanding of the reform’s outcome, Terre des hommes will perform an evaluation of the results sought and achieved throughout the process, assessing the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of the Residential Child Care System Reform.

The overall objective of the evaluation project is divided into two steps:

• assessment of the general implementation and outcomes of the deinstitutionalization strategy and active plan in the period of 2007-2012;
• assisting the Government and its partners in planning the next phase of the process.

In order to achieve these goals, Tdh starts the evaluation in February, together with international and a national experts, elaborating a methodology, collecting and assessing data. The findings and the suggestions towards a better implementation of the National Strategy will be published till the end of May 2012.

All partners of the Evaluation project (Ministry of Labor, Social Protection, Family (MLSPF), Ministry of Education (MoE) , UNICEF and OAK Foundation) will take an active part in providing information, assessing the tools and the methodology, provide the necessary authorizations for the data collection, assist with technical coordination, etc.

The National Strategy and Action Plan was approved by the Government of Moldova for the years 2007-2012. The reform resulted in 50% decrease in the number of children in the residential care system, 10 institutions were closed, the number of family type services for children increasing gradually. Through this process a large amount of resources and funds are being transferred from the MoE to the MLSPF. Also, specialists from the educational system are being redirected and new specialists in child care are being trained. All these changes are being done as a result of the international children’s rights act that the Government of Moldova signed, which stipulates that all children have a right to live in a family – be it their biological or a foster family. Institutionalization should be the last resort. (MS)