„Social service map” to be developed in Balti

A „social service map” will be developed in Balti. This is going to be guidelines for social service providers and beneficiaries.
The announcement was made by the leader of SOMATO Association, Jana Chihai, during a round table where the goals and objectives of a project based on social service provision in Balti, implemented for the first time in Republic of Moldova.
According to Jana Chihai, since Balti has got a network of social-care services, it needed a “social service map”. “”The future work will be based on a data base of social care institutions, nongovernmental organizations and authorities. It will be a handbook for the benefiiaries”, Chihai said.

The development of a “social service map” is one of the project activities aimed at consolidating social services in Balti. The project is financed by UNICEF (UN Children’s Agency). It involved three partners – Balti Mayoralty, SOMATO Association and Criminal Reform Institute. The program is meant to identify underprivileged children and facilitate their access to social services.

Within this project, Balti Mayoralty will create a resource center for underprivileged children and families. It will insure exchange of experience between local social assistants and other communities.

At the same time, SOMATO Association will develop a series of methodological and promotional materials in partnering with Balti Alecu Russo University. The association will train social assistants and most deputy directors of Balti high schools.

The Criminal Reform Institute will carry out activities related to the consolidation of children’s community-based centers’ capacities. It will also develop programs to prevent juvenile delinquency and reintegrate children who violated the legislation.

During the round table, Balti deputy mayor, Aleksandr Usatai mentioned the administration of the town had always supported social-care investment projects.

UNICEF deputy representative to Moldova, Sandie Blanchet, said that “the method of consolidation of social services is successfully applied in some countries. She hopes this will work in Balti too, and then on the whole territory of Balti”, Blanchet said.

The project started being implemented on July 15, 2010, and it will last for 15 months. The total budget of the program is worth nearly 800 thousand MDL. The funds will be provided by UNICEF.

There are nearly 27 thousand children aged under 18 years old in Balti. According to official data, nearly 1800 of them are underprivileged. There are over one thousand underprivileged families in the town.