Working Meeting on “Early intervention for children with disabilities and their families – better care for the children and prevention of institutionalisation”, 28

Working Meeting on “Early intervention for children with disabilities and their families – better care for the children and prevention of institutionalisation”, 28 – 29 May 2012, Sofia

30.05.2012

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Tulip Foundation organised a working meeting for representatives of NGOs on the theme “Early intervention for children with disabilities and their families – better care for the children and prevention of institutionalisation” in the frame of the Learning and Sharing Programme.

The meeting took place on 28 – 29 May 2012 in Sofia and was kindly hosted by the American Corner at the Sofia City Library.

The early intervention for children with disabilities and their families has been discussed in Bulgaria since the beginning of the 90ties of the last century. The interest about it is growing over the last years. Despite the many difficulties Bulgarian civil organisations have started activities and have collected considerable practical experience in developing "early intervention” services.

The aim of the working meeting was to provide a forum for presentation and discussion about various models and practices for early intervention. More than 30 representatives of nongovernmental organisations, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and the Agency for Social Assistance took part in the meeting.

Various models and practices for early intervention for children with disabilities and their families were presented during the first day. Anita Kancheva and Dr. Daniela Milanova from “Children with developmental difficulties” presented a medico-social model for early intervention for children with disabilities that they apply for years in the Centre in Sofia. The development of early intervention services by Samaritans Association in Stara Zagora was presented by Maria Daneva.

Apostol Apostolov from Karin Dom Foundation spoke about the Early Intervention for Children Aged 0 to 4 Based on a Family Oriented Approach and the services provided by a mobile multidisciplinary team of specialists of the foundation. Savina Maneva from ALA – Association of Patients with Face Malformations and Their Parents presented A Parent for Contact model which the organisation develops and applies in Bulgaria for a few years.

Prof. David Allen from Portland State University, the US spoke about the importance of early intervention for young children and their parents during the second day with the support of Karin Dom Foundation. Provoked by his presentation the participants raised numerous questions.

The theme about facing the real needs of families and their participation in the early intervention activities was present in the discussions during the whole meeting.

During the last session, facilitated by Galina Markova from the Know How Centre for Alternative Care, the participants discussed the opportunities and the forms for cooperation with local authorities and state institutions aimed at variety and sustainability of early intervention services for children with disabilities and their families.