Recovery Safegaurding Reintegration
- Goal : 35 000$
- Target: 50 000$
The Recovery Safeguarding Reintegration project (RSR) aimed to promote the adoption of international guidelines and policies for children's reintegration in alignment with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). This initiative targeted 749 children living in institutions and 2500 children at risk of institutionalization, with collaboration from the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), 23 children's institutions, and two community-based organizations. By September 2020, the project sought to achieve four main objectives: establishing a reintegration working group, enhancing the skills of human rights workers and managers, improving parental capacity for reintegration, and raising public awareness on child separation issues.
The overall objective of the Recovery Safeguarding Reintegration (RSR) initiative is to facilitate the adoption of international guidelines and policy for children’s reintegration in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) for 749 children living in institutions and 2500 children at risk of institutional care through wider collaboration with the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), 23 children institutions and 2 CBOs by September, 2020. There are four specific objectives which will contribute to the realization of the overall objective. They are as follows:
- The formation of a Reintegration Working Group (RWG) led by the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA). The RWG will consist of 10 representatives from Government and Civil Society. They will draft a local policy for reintegration of children in institutional care back to family-based care. This policy will be in accordance with the best practices of international guidelines on reintegration and the UNCRC.
- Fifty-two (52) Human Rights Workers (HRWs) from Government and Civil Society will be trained to implement the local policy and guidelines to facilitate reintegration into family-based care and prevent children from being separated from family-based care.
- Conduct an assessment of 749 children in institutional care and select 120 (16%) for reintegration.
- Develop and conduct a public education campaign with the wider society to increase awareness of the importance of family-based care and conduct a public education campaign targeting 2,500 children at risk of removal from family-based care and 2,000 parents of children who are at risk of removal from family-based care.
During the project significant progress was achieved.
1. Three thousand four hundred and thirty-eight (3, 438) children (1,408 boys and 2,030 girls) at risk of institutionalization were identified, mobilized and engaged in sensitization sessions.
2. Two thousand one hundred and twenty-seven (1,127) parents from Regions 3, 4 and 6 were engaged in sensitization sessions designed to build the capacity of parents to improve care provided to their children and reduce the risk of separation.
3. Four hundred and fifty-six (456) parents of children at risk of institutionalization were engaged in parenting mentoring sessions. These parents were mobilized by ChildLinK and CBO partners in Regions 3, 4, and 6.
4. A reintegration working group was formed, contributing to the development of local guidelines for reintegration and policy adaptation.
5. A seven-step reintegration process was established, facilitating comprehensive assessment, emotional support, and post-reunification monitoring.
6. The CPA's focus on de-institutionalization also led to a reduction in children placed in institutions.
7. Parental counseling sessions and community engagement resulted in positive changes in parenting behaviors, leading to decreased abuse.
The RSR project successfully strengthened local policies, developed an effective reintegration system, and empowered parents to provide safer environments for reintegrated children. Although facing challenges, the project's determination and adaptability showcased its commitment to ensuring children's well-being and the realization of UNCRC principles.