Every year the Early Intervention Center “Voinicel” provides 1,500 consultations across Moldova to families of children under three years that have developmental delays. At the same time, about 200 families annually benefit from early intervention courses. Over the years, the Center’s experts have shared their experience and knowledge so that these services could be adopted by other organizations and state institutions and be extended across the country. The results as well as the plans for the future were discussed today at a roundtable.
Daniela Bordeianu, executive director of the “Voinicel” Center, says that, with the adoption of relevant legislation, several teams were strengthened at municipal level. Specialized wards were opened at the Mother and Child Institute, at the National Rehabilitation Center, and at the Balti Placement and Rehabilitation Center. “Nobody is left behind - this is our motto for promoting equality and equity. Efforts are being made to strengthen capacities and experience for both the non-profit sector and the state. Our goal is to see at least one professional team in each district to provide these services at a qualified level,” said Daniela Bordeianu.
Ala Cojocaru, program coordinator at the Center, says the services available today are complex. These include not only child rehabilitation, but support for the entire family. Besides the 200 families receiving systematic services, 1,500 other families from all over the country receive consultancy and guidance every year at "Voinicel". Currently, there is a waiting list for around two months.
According to Ala Cojocaru, multiple efforts have been made over the years in partnership with the relevant authorities and with the support of foreign partners. The Center managed to implement projects, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Labor, Social Protection, AHEAD Moldova, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway and UNICEF Moldova. Professional teams have been set up to provide these services in all district centers so that they benefit each family.
Ninel Revenco, deputy director for research and innovation of the Mother and Child Institute, said early intervention is designed for children with special educational needs and families as a whole. In 2016, legislation was adopted that provides for the development of early intervention services, but the first steps in the field were tanek in 2006, when a project focused on the supervision of preterm babies was implemented. Gradually, it was expanded, so children with developmental problems were included in the early intervention service.
Ecaterina Iarovoi’s family became a beneficiary of the “Voinicel” Center after the birth of the fourth child. The woman says that pregnancy is a special period in every woman’s life, but when this joy turns into a problem, it’s a shock for the parents. Families need support from outside, as the parents are often unable to handle it on their own. Ecaterina Iarovoi also says the results achieved with the help of specialists are visible. Another important thing is to communicate and provide support to other families experiencing similar problems.
The roundtable was an occasion to sum up the results achieved within the projects implemented by the “Voinicel” Center in partnership with MHLSP, AHEAD Moldova, and with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway and UNICEF Moldova.
