Description
Project Recovery Network mobile complex for children and youth with disabilities in rural areas proposed by Caritas Blaj Association in partnership with Caritas Norway answer limited access to comprehensive rehabilitation services for children and youth with disabilities in rural areas and lack of support from their families. The project aims to: develop a comprehensive recovery mobile networks in rural areas from Alba, Mures and Sibiu county, developing a resource center for professionals in the public sector and nongovernmental and stimulate the exchange of experiences and best practices at regional and transnational level. The beneficiaries will be children and young people with physical, mental or associated disabilities, their families, professionals in the social and members of rural communities. Expected results will be: at least 150 children and their families beneficiaries of recovery and support services, 60 specialists with improved skills, 3000 members of rural communities informed.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the lack of access to specialised recovery services for disabled children and youth from rural areas, the shortage of information and support services for the families, as well as the insufficient resources for specialists. During the implementation period, three mobile intervention teams were set up and provided services in rural areas from Alba, Mures and Sibiu counties. 178 disabled children and youth from 43 rural localities benefited of complex recovery services. The services included kinesiotherapy, physiotherapy, massage, medical check-up, psychological counselling, speech therapy, therapy through games, personal autonomy development, art therapy, early intervention for children under 6 years old and thematic workshops. During the project, a resource centre for families and specialists was created. The centre is operational with the support of volunteers. Within the centre there were provided information and counselling activities for families and there were organised meetings for exchanging experience. 30 functional partnerships were set in order to improve services for disabled families and their children. Two prevention campaigns were carried out, aiming at informing people regarding the risk factors causing juvenile disability. Two prophylactic testing campaigns for children aged 0-6 were carried out, with more than 200 children evaluated. Three fairs promoting providers of social services for persons with disabilities were organized, gathering more than 50 institutions exhibited. A web portal for specialists was created. Meanwhile, a consulting committee of the beneficiaries was established in order to involve them in the project activities. At the same time an exchange of good practices on a transnational level was organised in Norway.
Summary of bilateral results
Within the project, the Partner ensured the transfer of good practices through the nominalization of an expert who provided support in the monitoring and evaluation of the project. The partner organized an experience exchange in Norway for the specialists in the project team, with the purpose of introducing in its activities the protection system of the child with disabilities and some models of good practices regarding the recovery intervention. As a result of this exchange, the project specialists improved their competences to take on and to introduce on a local level techniques and specific work methods. This partnership generated positive effects by raising the quality of the services provided to the beneficiaries, by expanding the competence area of the organisation specialists, by improving the management skills of the project team and by making the project more visible on an international level.