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Description
A child can develop fully and harmoniously only by growing up in his family, feeling happiness, love, understanding, parental care and responsibility. Child abuse is associated with physical injury, growth retardation, obesity, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and long-term consequences, such as slowed development and insufficient social and educational skills. According to the health indicators (Statistics Lithuania), the number of children born to young mothers (aged 15-19) in Kaunas city, Kaunas and Kėdainiai districts is quite high, although according to various studies it is not recommended for women under 20 to give birth due to health and social aspects. Also, the share of infants breastfed up to 6 months in Kedainiai district is about 19% lower and children under 1 year age mortality is higher than the LT average. The data of ,,Sveikatos ratas" shows that about 10-15% all pregnant women have risk factors such as smoking, previous unwanted pregnancies, and additional risk factors such as poor couple / family relationships, domestic violence, poor living conditions, low self-esteem, insecure social environment, pregnant women could reach 20% and more. In view of this, and in order to improve the physical and mental health of expectant mothers in Kaunas city, Kaunas and Kedainiai districts, reduce child neglect by increasing the social responsibility of young mothers from risk groups, it is planned to implement the family visiting model, providing early intervention services, in ,,Sveikatos ratas" and provide services. The aim of the project is to provide support and improve information for expectant mothers during pregnancy, after childbirth and until the children reach the age of 2. The provision of such services is likely to help mothers make informed decisions about their childcare to ensure the well-being of vulnerable mothers, infants and children under 2 years of age. Services are expected to be used by at least 25 families per year.
Summary of project results
A child can develop fully and harmoniously only by growing up in his family, feeling happiness, love, understanding, parental care and responsibility. Child abuse is associated with physical injury, growth retardation, obesity, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and long-term consequences, such as slowed development and insufficient social and educational skills. According to the health indicators (Statistics Lithuania), the number of children born to young mothers (aged 15-19) in Kaunas city, Kaunas and Kėdainiai districts is quite high, although according to various studies it is not recommended for women under 20 to give birth due to health and social aspects. Also, the share of infants breastfed up to 6 months in Kedainiai district is about 19% lower and children under 1 year age mortality is higher than the LT average. The data of ,,Sveikatos ratas" shows that about 10-15% all pregnant women have risk factors such as smoking, previous unwanted pregnancies, and additional risk factors such as poor couple / family relationships, domestic violence, poor living conditions, low self-esteem, insecure social environment, pregnant women could reach 20% and more. In view of this, and in order to improve the physical and mental health of expectant mothers in Kaunas city, Kaunas and Kedainiai districts, reduce child neglect by increasing the social responsibility of young mothers from risk groups, it is planned to implement the family visiting model, providing early intervention services, in ,,Sveikatos ratas" and provide services. Creating a supportive and safe environment for babies is one of the best investments. The aim of the project is to provide support and improve information for expectant mothers during pregnancy, after childbirth and until the children reach the age of 2. The target group of the project - expectant mothers who have given birth and have been selected to participate in the project before the children reach the age of 2. During the implementation of the project, the car, equipment and tools required for the provision of services will be purchased, a qualified specialist will be trained and family visiting services will be provided. The provision of such services is likely to help mothers make informed decisions about their childcare to ensure the well-being of vulnerable mothers, infants and children under 2 years of age. Services are expected to be used by at least 25 families per year.
The project provided support and improved information to expectant mothers during pregnancy, after childbirth and up to the age of 2 years. High-quality early intervention services were provided to help mothers make informed decisions about childcare to ensure the well-being of vulnerable mothers, infants and children up to 2 years of age.
For this purpose, the job position of Family Visitation Specialist was created. Using the "Nurse and Family Partnership" program, a model of providing family visits and early intervention services was developed and implemented in the Kaunas city, Kaunas and Kedainiai districts during the project.
Specialists of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences helped the Family Visitation specialist to acquire "soft" competences, allowing to provide primary preventive intervention to at-risk families throughout the project implementation period, and also advised him periodically during supervisions.
Project target groups: first-time pregnant young (under 21) and older (over 40) women living in a social risk environment and their children under 2 years old, other family members, community, society.
During the implementation of the project 25 women who were pregnant and gave birth in theKaunas city, Kaunas and Kedainiai districtswere regularly visited. The Family Visiting Specialist provided each family with 70-100 percent.
A car was purchased with the funds of the project, as well as tools and equipment needed to provide services.
Those families were provided with preventive assistance, they were constantly monitored and counselled. Women were taught how to take care of their health and hygiene, childcare, and how to live healthier. The state of health of the mother and baby or child, as well as the development of the child, were periodically assessed.