Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Program in Georgia

November, 2015

From Institutionalization to Social Integration of

Children with Special Needs in Georgia

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Maia BuchukuriHead of Social Program Division Ministry Of Labor Health Social Affairs (MOLHSA)

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Positive Initiatives in Child Welfare and Disability Policy in Georgia

• Child Care Reform – deinstitutionalization and prevention of abandonment that aims at closing down the large-scale children institution and development of alternative care and family supporting services

• Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – December 2013

• Elaboration of 2014-16 State Action Plan on Creating Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities

• Development of family supporting services in the regions• Disability awareness and advocacy is getting stronger• Parents of children with disabilities claim for the rights of their children• Health care system professionals (progressively) recognize the

sufficiency of the social model of disability

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Interdisciplinary ECI model in Georgia 1. Early detection, surveillance and referral – Department of health, Ministry Of Labor Health Social Affairs (MOLHSA)

2. Early Childhood Intervention – Department of Social Affairs, Ministry Of Labor Health Social Affairs (MOLHSA)

3. Transition in preschool institutions and educational services – Ministry of Science and Education

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Str

on

g s

ides

- Early Intervention services have been developed and implemented in Tbilisi and regions of Georgia

- Effective Funding System has been developed by the Government

- Doctors of maternity houses and primary health providers have been trained in Early Detection and surveillance

- Joint vision of the ministries has been developed regarding early childhood development, what covers early childhood intervention and preschool education system

- ECI National Strategy, Action Plan, Policy & Procedure Documents have been developed by international Expert and GECI coalition

- GECI coalition has been created and aims on ECI advocacy issues

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- Regional ECI teams have been strengthened by trainings and workshops provided by international and local experts- Teams are fully equipped by assessment toolkits- Number of Children involved in ECI program increases annually

-In 2015 , 48% of ECI beneficiaries have been involved in mainstream inclusive education

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

60129

213

315

495

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Sustainability State Funding by Years

State Budget (GEL)

96,150

232,000

472,000

832,800

2012 2013 2014 2015

We have achievements, but we know that this is not enough. We can’t cover all needs.

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Challenges- With - Adoption national strategy and action plan- Development ECI service quality management system - Promote inclusion of children with special needs by

collaboration with Ministry of Education- Development of certified, University courses for ECI

specialists with GCECI (Georgian Coalition of Early Childhood Intervention)

- Development ECI state program and program standards, along with effective monitoring and evaluation tools

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Girls 37%

Boys 63%

Gender

0 - 3 27%

3 - 5 45%

5 - 7 29%

Age

Both parents in Family

Families with 3 and more

children

Employed Parents

90%

18%

75%

Statistics

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Enrollment in Mainstream and Informal Educational services

Education Sys-tem48%

Day Care2%

Not Involved in any education

institute of social service 50%

Du

e to

mu

l-ti

ple

sev

ere

d

isab

ilit

ies

24

%

10

Cerebral Palsy26%

ASD23%

Dawn Syndrom 12%

Developmental Delay12%

Eplisepsy12%

Speech Dis-order

6%

Hidrocephaly2%

Behavioral Disordar2%

Other disorders 4%

Diagnoses

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Thank you for your attention

Maia BuchukuriHead of Social Program Division Social Service AgencyMinistry Of Labor Health Social Affairs (MOLHSA)mbuchukuri@ssa.gov.ge144 Tsereteli ave. Tbilisi, Georgia