Future professional parent assistants were taught about the health and development of adolescents and youths, physiological changes and puberty at the National Resource Center on Youth Friendly Health Services “Neovita”. The trainees were initiated into reproductive health, nutrition and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS.
Tatiana Bursuc, coordinator of activities at “Neovita”, has told IPN that the applicants who want to become professional parent assistants receive training in a number of areas. As part of the partnership with the Children’s Rights Protection Division of Chisinau, the Center “Neovita” offers informational and methodological support concerning the health and development of adolescents and promotion of a healthy lifestyle. The training seminars are given by urologists, gynecologists and HIV/AIDS counselors. The Center promotes youth friendly health services that are free and confidential. The young people can use them in a group or individually.
Marcela Țurcanu, of the Children’s Rights Protection Division, said any person who wants to become a professional parent assistant takes part in informative meetings that center on 14 subjects. The partnership with “Neovita” in health and development of adolescents has lasted for two years. “It is important that the future professional parent assistants know the biggest risks related to the health of children and teens, how to prevent them and what support services exist for adolescents and young people in case of particular problems,” stated Marcela Țurcanu.
Explaining the importance of such courses, she said the children who experienced different traumatizing situations need support and this can be offered only by an experienced person. “The experience of the earlier trained professional parent assistants showed that these can work with different children, even those with behavioral difficulties,” noted Marcela Țurcanu.
Diana Cliciuc, future professional parent assistant, said that she does not have children, but wants very much to become a mother and she has knowledge and possibilities of educating a child. The training seminars helped her learn about the age particularities and difficulties that can appear at each development stage. The trainers of “Neovita” advised them how to act in difficult situations and this makes her feel more prepared.
The activity is supported by the Project “Healthy Generation – Youth Friendly Health Services” that is financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and is implemented by the public association “Health for the youths” and the National Resource Center on Youth Friendly Health Services “Neovita” in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection.
