Early intervention services in Moldova have taken important steps to ensure beneficiaries with quality services. However, there is currently no standardization based on clear criteria as to how these services should be provided. Both providers and beneficiaries face numerous difficulties in providing and accessing these services. This is shown in a preliminary review of early childhood intervention presented today at the Parliamentary Commission for Social Protection, Health and Family.
Preliminary data showed that while early intervention services are generally available, they are not concentrated in a single location. Parents often have to make multiple trips to reach certain specialists. In more than 100 interviews conducted with parents of beneficiaries of early intervention services, a number of barriers were identified. Most of the time, the participants said that the services are far from home. Transport issues are a priority, as so far no attention has been paid to this aspect. There are no mechanisms to provide social assistance support to compensate transport costs.
There are also difficulties in obtaining a referral from a pediatrician. One in five parents interviewed said they have difficulty getting referrals to early intervention services, forcing them to opt for private services.
As for the barriers encountered by the staff involved in early intervention services, some of them include limited access to standardized assessment and screening tests, and the lack of a professional supervision mechanism in the field of early intervention. Also, cooperation and coordination between providers is low, there are insufficient specialists available on a full-time basis at district level, and possibilities for professional training are limited.
It was concluded that a common concept of early intervention should be adopted, which also foresees the role of the family. Moldova should align itself with the European principles of early intervention. Another aspect concerns the improvement of access to quality services, to have these services in maximum proximity for the beneficiaries. There should also be common early intervention case management.
The study welcomed the fact that the budget for early intervention services increased in 2023 compared to 2021. At the same time, it noted that the share of expenses from the Mandatory Health Insurance Fund has increased and the volume of financial resources from donors is decreasing. Still, donor funds represent a significant share.
A final report of the early childhood intervention is to be presented this autumn.
