Albana Koçiu, Minister of Health and Social Protection, paid a visit to Vlora’s Support Centre for Children and Families, which represents a substantial shift in social care services as part of the removal from institutions initiative.
Koçiu noted that this process aims to improve the future of 230 children in foster care or biological families by giving them equal opportunities.
“In Vlora and Korça, two residential centers were converted into daycare facilities. Although these procedures take time, they are beneficial to the health and stability of the family and the upbringing and education of children in biological or foster families. Clearly, the future depends on raising and educating healthy children in the greatest possible way. This center, which has been renovated into a Day Care Center for Children and Families, is one of the centers funded by the Social Fund, which is supplied by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection in partnership with the Municipality of Vlora,” the Minister added.
Koçiu also announced, “We have just reopened the call to apply for the Social Fund. The call opened on September 25 and will remain open until October 25 for all municipalities to apply.”
Koçiu stated, “The most important lesson is that we should never take our hands off these kids,” while speaking with the center’s employees. We will have done the most amazing thing for the kids, the family, the community, and society at large if we band together and have the empathy and willingness to support and assist not only the weakest but even those who require assistance occasionally.”
At this center, children who have returned to their birth family receive daily help, while children who are in danger are placed in foster families and receive daily care. Parents are receiving help through targeted programs, and a new service that offers emergency support for up to six months for single and at-risk mothers.
The goal of the deinstitutionalization process is to transform residential institutions into facilities that provide alternative services for kids and families, with the ultimate goal of establishing a social care system that empowers and supports families, promotes inclusion, and offers opportunities for raising kids well.