Specialized support for unaccompanied and separated children FOSTER CARE PROGRAMME
METAdrasi - Action for Migration and Development, is a Greek NGO founded in 2010 that focuses on services not covered by the Public Authorities or other NGOs in Greece and is the only organization that retains a permanent front-line presence in all key entry and exit locations. METAdrasi operates mainly in the following two sectors, interpretation services and the protection of unaccompanied children.
METAdrasi, in cooperation with the state social services, which carry out the social research as mentioned in the Greek Foster Care Legislation, implements a Foster Care program for UASC, since September 2015. In cooperation with the Public Prosecutor. Exchange of know-how with Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, France. To date, a total of 67 children have been placed in foster care. Currently, 26 minors are still in foster care.
Types of Foster Care Emergency foster care : due to an emergency need (lasts a few days). Kinship foster care : kinship foster care refers to the care of children by relatives (grandparents, uncles-aunts, etc). Short term foster care : lasts from a few months to two years, until the legal procedures for family reunification are completed. Long term foster care : concerns cases of children who have no relatives in Greece or abroad for family reunification. These children seek asylum in Greece and remain with the foster family until they reach adulthood.
To date…. The foster care team has received 414 inquiries : ˗ 270 from Athens ˗ 41 from Thessaloniki ˗ 91 from province and islands ˗ 12 did not share this information
To date…. Since November 2017, the foster care team holds 2 monthly orientation meetings; the first and the third Wednesday of each month. 16 orientation meetings in Athens 1 orientation meeting in Thessaloniki 190 people attended
To date…. 2 TV-spots promoting the foster care program
To date…. 7 articles
To date…. 6 radio broadcasts
To date…. 10 facebook events & promotion
To date…. 40 new applications ; - 38 in Athens - 2 in Thessaloniki 27 new families enrolled in METAdrasi’s registry 31 new foster care placements
Challenges Few families apply in relation to the number of children in need of foster care fewer matching options Vulnerable cases of older children difficulty of foster families to foster older children Potential “difficult” children behaviors and intense emotional states that families misinterpret, or unable to interpret, due to anxiety and ignorance of habits, character and hostory Foster family’s high expectations regarding what they wish to offer to the child (immediate adaptation, overcoming difficulties, trauma high level of family frustration) Uncertainty with respect to the legal procedures for family reunification Frequent negative responses to the issue of family reunification Quick decisions and placement procedures are required Often, lack of information regarding minors’ social and medical history
Thank you for your attention!!!
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