ZOCG will participate in the process of deinstitutionalization of care for children without parental care

The Union of Municipalities of Montenegro (ZOCG) will actively participate in creating conditions for deinstitutionalization and transition to independence of children and youth without parental care, providing support to local self-governments, the ZOCG announced.

The ZOCG said that the role of local governments in improving social care for this socially vulnerable category must be significantly strengthened.

They said that the deinstitutionalization of the child care system represents a shift from the outdated model of long-term care of children in large institutions to a modern model that emphasizes family and community-based care.

"The Deinstitutionalization Strategy for the period from now to 2028, as a comprehensive national strategic document, foresees that local governments increase allocations for services that support community life by 50 percent, and that all municipalities have at least three such services," the statement said.

Secretary General of ZOCG Mišela Manojlović emphasized that it is particularly important to develop the service of supported housing, as a key component of the independence of young people without parental care.

"This service is still in the development and piloting phase in only a few municipalities, and we have significant efforts ahead of us to make it a reality," said Manojlović.

She pointed out that another segment that must be seriously worked on is the popularization of foster care in order to increase the number of non-kin foster families.

It is also necessary, as Manojlović said, to introduce specialized training and support for foster parents who care for children with developmental disabilities.

"The state is also planning to establish regional centers for family placement - foster care, which would take over the tasks of assessment, control and support for foster families. Every child in a family is one less child in an institution," Manojlović emphasized.

The ZOCG said that, in accordance with the recommendations received based on expert legal and psychosocial analyses, they are preparing to draft guidelines for municipalities, common performance indicators and recommendations for the implementation of deinstitutionalization measures, supported housing and transition to independence.

"ZOCG is currently implementing a project that provides psychological and mentoring support for six young people who are leaving the Home this year, and in one case, resolving housing issues through rental accommodation," the statement said.

ZOCG bank account for donations to support young people without parental care: 530-533471-03, Union of Municipalities of Montenegro, Avda Međedovića 138.

For payments from abroad: Swift code MNBAMEPG, IBAN CODE: ME25530005130005002095, NAME: Union of Municipalities of Montenegro