National Network for Children in partnership with Karin Dom Foundation and the Municipality of Varna has issued two handbooks for early childhood intervention. The handbooks are presenting a family-oriented approach to quality support for parents and children at an early age.
One in three children who receive еarly childhood intervention services does not later need special preschool education or disability classification. One in three children with disabilities or developmental delays has a chance to lead a completely normal life – without resource support, without being a burden to the social and health system, without being a burden to their family. And this is possible thanks to the timely support of various specialists, along with parents who are involved in the complex process of development of children from 0 to 3 years.
The model of early intervention supports parents of children with developmental disabilities and is based on a family-oriented approach. This approach puts in the focus of work not only the child, but the whole family. The principle of supporting parents to take care of their child on their own is based on the thesis that they know best and can identify their child’s needs. It differs from the expert approach, where specialists – whether doctors or therapists – diagnose, prescribe treatment or determine the field of intervention. The family-oriented approach is an equal cooperation between parents and professionals. Parents have the opportunity to set priorities for their family and for the development of their child, and specialists are the ones who help them.
Early childhood intervention is a necessary practice with a huge contribution to our society, because with its help children with various problems grow up as full-fledged people, and their families do not sink into care and hopelessness, but enjoy happy parenting.
The project aims to inform the public, state institutions and local authorities about the need for early intervention and family-oriented approach in young children with disabilities and their families, as well as to promote existing good practices of social service providers in this area.
National Network for Children supports and accelerates the process of normative regulation and establishment of a National System for Early Childhood Intervention. The Network works for individual and intensive services to provide quality support to parents and young children who are at risk, have developmental disabilities, behavioral problems or mental health support needs.
The handbooks were published within the project of the National Network for Children “Let’s sort the puzzle: sustainable family-oriented approach and early intervention in Bulgaria” – II “, in partnership with NGOs and local authorities, supported by a grant from the Foundation” Open Society Institute “in cooperation with the” Early Childhood “program of the” Open Society “foundations.
EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMME KARIN DOM FOUNDATION
HANDBOOK FOR REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS
