As many as 150 persons with intellectual disabilities have been transferred from residential institutions to families and community services since 2008 until now. The successful practices of the program “Inclusive Community - Moldova” were presented in a national conference organized by Keystone Moldova, IPN reports.

Keystone Moldova executive director Ludmila Malcoci said the program started from the idea of developing two models of community homes or protected dwellings for persons with intellectual disabilities. Afterward, there were purchased ordinary houses in district centers or villages, which are home to 4-6 persons.

“As many as 40 boys with intellectual disabilities have been taken out of the Orhei residential institution. More than half of these were placed in community services and families. For them, we set up community homes or protected dwellings. Those who live in protected dwellings are employed, receive pension and this enables them to live on their own,” stated Ludmila Malcoci.

The parents were trained how to work with children with intellectual disabilities. There were constituted support groups that consisted of teachers, mayors, educators, etc.

Presenting the success story of a deinstitutionalized young man, Veronica Rotaru, protected dwellings manager in Falesti, said this managed to find a job and to start a family.

Valentina Grubea, from Floritoaia Noua village of Ungheni district, has three mature children who work abroad. She decided to take one of the deinstitutionalized young people into her home. The boy turned out to be sociable and easily integrated into the community. He is fond of flowers and now looks after his own garden.

The program “Inclusive Community - Moldova” is a public-private partnership between the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family, Keystone Moldova and Soros Foundation Moldova.