Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Program in Georgia From Institutionalization to Social Integration of Children with Special Needs in Georgia 1 Maia Buchukuri Head of Social Program Division Ministry Of Labor Health Social Affairs (MOLHSA)

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 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 2

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 3

- 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 ( Emily Vargas-Baron) and GECI coalition - GECI coalition has been created and aims on ECI advocacy issues 4

- 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 5

Sustainability State Funding by Years 6 We have achievements, but we know that this is not enough. We can’t cover all needs.

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 7

Statistics 8

Enrollment in Mainstream and Informal Educational services 9

Diagnoses 10

Thank you for your attention 11 Maia Buchukuri Head of Social Program Division Social Service Agency Ministry Of Labor Health Social Affairs (MOLHSA) 144 Tsereteli ave. Tbilisi, Georgia