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Description
Children having experienced violence tend to be more violent towards others, they usually display insufficient social and educational skills.
The purpose of the project is to provide support and to improve the way mothers expecting children are informed during their pregnancy period, once their children are born, and until 2 y.o. by providing high quality services that may help mothers to make informed decisions regarding the supervision of their children.
In order to achieve goals, a model of home visits and early intervention servises will be introduced to the community of Telšiai district. The target group of the project – pregnant women, new mothers, and women bringing up children of up to 2 years of age.
This project will be the first initiative implemented in the community of Telšiai intended to assist families, especially those of vulnerable groups, to develop parenting skills, to aid in creating a secure environment for the children, to change the “cultural – historical” consciousness regarding bringing up and educating children. The project will allow to create a service oriented towards the patient, to develop the awareness of the families, as well as their responsibility for the health and security of their children.
It is expected, that upon implementation of the project the number of diagnoses of pregnancy hypertension in pregnant women shall drop by 27%, the risk of pre-mature childbirth before 37 weeks shall decrease by 28%, and the number of cases of neglecting children shall decrease by 48%.
It is expected that the implementation of the model will be an example of what primary prevention of social issues is required and that, in the long-term, the model shall become a part of everyday practice.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several critical issues and challenges:
Cycle of Violence: Children who have experienced violence often become violent towards others and display inadequate social and educational skills. Breaking this cycle of violence is essential for their healthy development and social integration.
Negative Societal Impact: Inappropriate treatment of children can lead to broader societal issues, including worsened family functionality, passivity in the labour market, and a lack of social skills, all of which can perpetuate social and economic problems.
Insufficient Primary Prevention: The Telšiai district currently lacks adequate primary prevention services for families in greater need. This gap means that vulnerable families do not receive the early support necessary to prevent issues from escalating.
Support for Pregnant Women and New Mothers: There is a need to improve the support and information provided to mothers during pregnancy and in the early years of their children''s lives. Better guidance can help mothers make informed decisions about their children''s care and well-being.
Ensuring Welfare of Vulnerable Households: The project seeks to enhance the welfare of vulnerable households, particularly those with infants and children up to 2 years old, by providing high-quality services and early intervention.
Creating a Secure Environment for Children: Many families, especially vulnerable ones, struggle to create a secure and nurturing environment for their children. The project aims to assist these families in developing parenting skills and creating a safe and supportive home environment.
Changing Cultural and Historical Attitudes: There is a need to shift the "cultural-historical" consciousness regarding child-rearing and education. The project aims to change outdated attitudes and practices to foster better parenting and educational outcomes.
Reducing Health Risks for Pregnant Women: Addressing health issues such as pregnancy hypertension and the risk of premature childbirth is crucial. The project aims to reduce these risks through better support and intervention during pregnancy.
Preventing Child Neglect: The project aims to decrease the number of cases of child neglect by providing early and personalized assistance to families, thereby ensuring that children receive the care and attention they need.
By addressing these challenges, the project aims to create a model of early intervention and support that can serve as an example of effective primary prevention of social issues in the Telšiai community and beyond.
The project implemented several key activities and produced various outputs to support pregnant women, new mothers, and families with young children in the Telšiai district:
Development and Introduction of a Service Model: The project designed and introduced a new service model focused on early intervention and home visits. This model aimed to provide personalized support to families facing difficulties, ensuring they receive the help they need directly in their homes.
Training Specialist Nurses: New-generation, specially-trained specialist nurses were prepared to deliver the new service model. These nurses received comprehensive training to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to support vulnerable families effectively.
Home Visits and Personalized Assistance: The trained nurses conducted regular home visits to pregnant women, new mothers, and families with children up to 2 years of age. During these visits, they provided personalized assistance, offering guidance on child supervision, health care, and parenting skills.
Health and Wellness Education: The project included educational sessions aimed at improving the health and wellness of mothers and their children. These sessions covered topics such as pregnancy health, infant care, nutrition, and strategies to prevent and manage common health issues.
Support Groups and Workshops: The project organized support groups and workshops for pregnant women and new mothers. These gatherings provided a platform for sharing experiences, receiving peer support, and learning from experts about various aspects of child-rearing and family health.
Resource Distribution: Families received essential resources, such as educational materials, health supplies, and tools to support their children''s development. These resources were designed to help parents make informed decisions and provide better care for their children.
Monitoring and Evaluation: The project included a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation component to track the progress and effectiveness of the interventions. Data on health outcomes, parenting skills, and instances of child neglect were collected and analyzed to measure the project''s impact.
Community Outreach and Awareness Campaigns: To ensure broad community engagement, the project conducted outreach and awareness campaigns. These campaigns aimed to inform the community about the available services and the importance of early intervention and support for families.
Overall, the project''s activities and outputs focused on providing high-quality, personalized support to vulnerable families in Telšiai, improving maternal and child health, and fostering better parenting skills. The initiative''s comprehensive approach aimed to create a secure and nurturing environment for children, ultimately benefiting the entire community.
The project achieved several significant results, benefiting pregnant women, new mothers, and families with young children in the Telšiai district:
Improved Maternal Health: The project led to a 27% reduction in the number of diagnoses of pregnancy hypertension among pregnant women. This improvement in maternal health is crucial for the well-being of both mothers and their unborn children.
Reduced Risk of Premature Births: There was a 28% decrease in the risk of pre-mature childbirth before 37 weeks. This reduction helped ensure healthier outcomes for newborns, decreasing the potential for complications associated with early births.
Decreased Child Neglect: The project achieved a 48% reduction in the number of cases of child neglect. By providing early and personalized support, families were better equipped to care for their children, ensuring their safety and well-being.
Enhanced Parenting Skills: The initiative helped families, especially those from vulnerable groups, to develop better parenting skills. This assistance enabled parents to create a secure and nurturing environment for their children, fostering healthier family dynamics.
Increased Awareness and Responsibility: The project raised awareness among families about the importance of health and security for their children. It also fostered a sense of responsibility, encouraging parents to be more proactive in ensuring their children’s well-being.
Support for Vulnerable Families: The project provided crucial support to pregnant women, new mothers, and families with children up to 2 years of age. These beneficiaries received high-quality services that helped them make informed decisions about child supervision and care.
Implementation of a New Service Model: The introduction of a service model involving home visits and early intervention by specially-trained specialist nurses provided personalized assistance to families facing difficulties. This model proved effective in offering tailored support to those in need.
Long-term Community Impact: The project established a sustainable service model that serves as an example of primary prevention of social issues. The success of the initiative in Telšiai is expected to inspire similar approaches in other communities, potentially becoming a part of everyday practice.
Overall, the project significantly benefited pregnant women, new mothers, and families with young children by improving health outcomes, enhancing parenting skills, and reducing cases of child neglect. It also set a precedent for effective early intervention and support services in the community.