Family cohesiveness – legal and parental skills issues that put families at risk in Ukraine Olga Dudina, Ukraine XVIII International AIDS conference July 21, 2010 Vienna, Austria

An estimated 75,520 HIV affected children in Ukraine live with their biological families In a number of cases parents are at risk of being deprived of parental rights because of: –Anti-social behavior –Alcoholism/drug dependence –Child neglect and abuse this can result in a child’s placement into orphanage Facts

Implemented by All-Ukrainian Network of PLWH in a partnership with –Elena Franchuk “ANTIAIDS” Foundation –Elton John AIDS Foundation –Romanian Angel Appeal Foundation With financial support of –Elton John AIDS Foundation –The Big Lottery Fund –Elena Franchuk “ANTIAIDS” Foundation Implementation term: “Children Plus” Project

Project Pilot Sites

One of Four Project Outcomes To provide a continuum of practical and psychological support to vulnerable families in order to prevent 1,500 children affected or infected by HIV from being placed in institutions, or becoming street children

Main Criteria – children infected or affected by HIV Additional criteria (one or all): –Brutal treatment –Registration at Centers for Social Services an/or at Services for Children's’ Rights –Parental drug/alcohol dependence –Parental absence of permanent income/low income –Incomplete family –One of family member’s in prison –One of family member’s death Selection Criteria

Family needs assessment Preparation of care plan and forming package of services Provision of individual comprehensive package of care (multidisciplinary team consisting of Project Coordinator, Psychologist and Social Worker) Final evaluation and further planning Case Management Approach Project teams provide:

Individual and family counseling of social worker, psychologist “Parenting Schools” for parents Self-support groups for family members Legal support Representing interests of the families in different institutions Referral to other agencies/rehabilitation centers Educational activities for children at day care room/center Comprehensive Package of Care

List of services to vulnerable families and their children developed in a cooperation with governmental authorities and implemented Cooperation with Governmental Authorities

Food & Nutrition Housing Condition & Care Protection (from abuse and exploitation) Health issue (condition & services) Psychological characteristics (emotional health) Education & skills (behavior, intellectual activities, and access to education) Child Status Index as a Monitoring Tool

Child Status Index. How it works Baseline assessment Based on results: provision of required services Next assessments – on bi-annual basis Evaluation of positive or negative dynamics of child’s well-being: 1.further interventions 2.case is closed

2 years Results

Legal support “Parenting schools” Child Status Index Findings so far

–All-Ukrainian Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS: –“Children Plus” Project: THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION