Deterioration in economic and social conditions, falling standards in healthcare, nursery provision, raising working migration associated with severe economic recession during the period of transformation into market economy influences a rapid growth of crisis families in Kyiv region (Brovary) - resulting 160  vulnerable families (2007) with around 250 children in Brovary.

In spite of the fact that problems may range from a parents short-term illness/death, depression or drug/alcohol abuse, difficulties in family relationships, there is a vital need to provide parents with an opportunity to be away from their children for some short (definite) period of time in order to work at resolving their problems with support from social workers and others.

Today absence of alternative types of short time family care for vulnerable children in Kyiv region (Brovary) forces local authorities and parents to give a priority to a harrowing decision in favor of separation and institutionalization (placing in orphanage, shelter, hospital or other institution) of children who face family crises as the only solution possible.

In 2007 year 15% of children from families under stress were separated and then placed to different kinds of institutions (orphanages, hospitals, social centers) and spent there a certain period of time before they were either reintegrated to the biological family or relatives.

At the same time according to investigations even 9 days spent in the institution are enough for a child separated from a family to receive the psychological trauma which negatively affects his or her psycho-emotional state and leads to negative consequences.

Furthermore, absence of temporary family care able to keep children in the local community causes a gap between the community and children in crises, based on the social stigma towards children brought up in state care institutions, creates social isolation and condemnation of parents from family under stress.

Development of the Model of Short-term Fostering (2008-2010)

Project Goal:

Develop and implement gate-keeping mechanism in Ukraine by 2011.

Project Objectives:

Ensure dissemination of short-term foster care model in Ukraine according to the needs of territorial communities;
Develop and test short-term foster care model for a child who happened to be in difficult life circumstances (without status).

The project will introduce short-term fostering in Brovary as an alternative to an existing negative and psychologically traumatic practice of separation and further institutionalization of a child, providing families for children who, for a wide range of reasons cannot live with their own parents.

Moreover, short-term accommodation can be seen as one of the best solutions to support families under stress and prevent their breakdown.

The integration of short term fostering into the existing system of social services for families and children under stress will make it complex, strong and thus will ensure a successful way to improve children's welfare and accomplish positive outcomes for families.

To achieve this result Everychild will use a complex approach which includes intensive training and support of short-term foster families, information sharing through public awareness campaign, face-to-face contact with vulnerable group and their surrounding, consultations, care and support, advocacy measures provided by social workers.

It is expected that project will contribute to support family under stress and enable looked after children to fully achieve their potential in family surrounding, so that no child has to grow up in an institution.

It is believed that a short-term accommodation to foster family and support of the biological family will allow the family to overcome crisis and will minimize negative effects for children. Moreover, the positive outcomes of the project will be presented and introduced on the regional and national levels.