Strengthening Support for Family-Based Care

Olena Bieloliptseva, Education Projects Coordinator at the NGO Responsible Citizens, took part in the inaugural meeting of the Coordination Center for the Development of Family-Based Upbringing and Child Care. The event became the first step in the process of revising the training program for candidates to become foster parents, family-type home educators, guardians, custodians, adoptive parents, and patronage caregivers.

The meeting took place as part of the implementation of the Operational Plan for 2024–2026 within the Strategy to Ensure the Right of Every Child in Ukraine to Grow Up in a Family Environment (2024–2028). Its goal is to adapt the training programs for future parents to the modern challenges faced by children left without parental care, as well as to update approaches to defining the necessary competencies for those who take responsibility for family-based care.

“For our organization, the topic of family-based upbringing is a key one — because it is the support of families capable of welcoming a child that creates the conditions for sustainable community development. We believe that through education, dialogue, and professional training it is possible to improve the quality of family-based care and, consequently, the quality of life for children,” said Olena Bieloliptseva, Education Projects Coordinator at NGO Responsible Citizens.

Since October of this year, Olena Bieloliptseva has joined the working group of the Coordination Center for the Development of Family-Based Care in Zaporizhzhia. Ahead lies a series of regular working meetings aimed at joint interaction in the field of implementing family-based upbringing.

NGO Responsible Citizens will continue to contribute to systemic changes aimed at developing family-based care and protecting every child’s right to care and a safe environment.