Strengthening the Capacities of Foster Families

As part of ongoing efforts to build the knowledge and skills of foster parents, three trainings were held in December. The first training, “Preparation and Support for Foster Families in Accepting Children with Down Syndrome”, took place on 2 December at the Centre for Social Work in Jagodina, with 13 foster families in attendance.

The aim of this training was to encourage openness and readiness among foster parents to accept children with developmental difficulties, help them recognise and address the needs of these children, and support their inclusion in community life. A significant aspect of the training was the participation of foster parents already caring for children with developmental disabilities, which facilitated experience sharing, learning, awareness-raising, and reducing prejudice among other participants.

The second training, “Emergency Foster Care”, was held on 10 December in Kraljevo and involved 21 foster families. This training addressed the urgent placement of children and youth, often necessitated by sudden events or professional assessments requiring immediate intervention. Foster parents received valuable information about the needs of children in emergency situations and the support required for their care. The central focus was on children needing emergency foster care, and participants expressed their commitment to applying the acquired knowledge in practice.

The third training, “Temporary Family Placement,” was held on 11 December at the Center for Family Placement and Adoption in Kragujevac, with the participation of ten foster families. During the training, foster parents gained a deeper understanding of the concept and significance of temporary family placement. The training highlighted the crucial role of this support in enhancing the quality of life for families and children with developmental difficulties, as well as its importance in preventing institutionalization.

The trainings were implemented as part of the “PRO - Local Governance for People and Nature” program, jointly conducted by UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNEP, in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Serbia and with financial support from the Government of Switzerland.