45,798 children and 33,579 families supported through the “Strong Families for Every Child” Project

Over the past four years, 45,798 children and 33,579 families have benefited from support and assistance through the development of family support and strengthening programs under the “Strong Families for Every Child” Project, implemented in 11 districts across Moldova. The project results were presented on Wednesday, 13 December by Partnerships for Every Child (P4EC). The event was attended by representatives of central and local authorities, specialists in social assistance, education, healthcare, NGOs, and international experts.

Stela Grigoraș, Minister of Health, Labor, and Social Protection, highlighted the importance and scope of the project in the context of child protection system reform in Moldova: “The ‘Strong Families for Every Child’ Project has introduced a range of new concepts, approaches, and programs in Moldova, adding substantial value to our efforts as central authorities in promoting and ensuring the well-being of children and families in the country.”

At the opening of the conference, Lynn Vega, Deputy Director of the USAID Mission in Moldova, noted: “Since 2010, the number of children in residential care has decreased tenfold. USAID is proud of these achievements. Recognizing the need to complete the work already started, USAID plans further activities in child protection to help Moldova finalize its child care reform and complete the de-institutionalization process.”

Daniela Mămăligă, Director of P4EC, emphasized: “Nearly four years of analyses, evaluations, debates, learning, development, testing, adjustment, and hands-on work with children and families have been invested in this project. Key components focused on strengthening the legal framework, enhancing national and local capacities, and developing and consolidating social service systems with a special focus on prevention and family strengthening.”

Valentin Crudu, Head of General Education at the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Research, stressed the importance of intersectoral collaboration: “Schools must be friendly for every child, regardless of their special needs, developmental and learning experiences, family financial situation, social status, and level of parental education and information.”

During the conference, the “e-copil.md” communication platform was also launched. This online interactive space is designed to facilitate knowledge exchange and continuous learning for everyone interested in child well-being and family strengthening. It is intended for professionals in child and family protection, as well as for parents and children.

Key results of the project include:

• 7 boarding schools were evaluated; 5 were closed and 270 children were de-institutionalized (reintegrated into their biological family, placed in extended family care, or in alternative family-type services). Two special boarding schools for deaf and hard-of-hearing children in Cahul and Hîrbovăț were evaluated to plan reorganization based on the needs of children with hearing impairments.
• Development of social support services for families with children and professional parental assistance services in the 11 project districts.
• Around 604 children and 60 parents benefited from psycho-social support through the PANDA program for children and adults living with persons dependent on alcohol.
• Establishment of 10 Advisory Board of Children (ABC) across 10 districts, involving over 200 members, as well as a National Advisory Board of Children with 28 youth advisors under the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Social Protection.
• Approximately 26,000 child protection professionals were trained under the project on the application of Law 140, revised case management, operation of Child Protection Committees, primary prevention, child abuse prevention, family support, and more.
• Support provided to central authorities to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework.
• Drafting and submission for approval of the Instruction on the Intersectoral Cooperation Mechanism for primary prevention of risks and ensuring child well-being, establishing a common framework and language for professionals in contact with children and families.

The “Strong Families for Every Child” Project was implemented by P4EC with financial support from USAID, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Social Protection, the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Research, and the 11 participating districts: Ungheni, Fălești, Călărași, Telenești, Cahul, Orhei, Nisporeni, Căușeni, Sîngerei, Rezina, and Soroca. The project was launched in 2014.