67,000 Children in State Care in Romania
18 October 2012
October 18, 2012
67,000 Children in State Care in Romania
Published by Stefan Darabus in the category Blog
In 2012, we have more than 67,000 children in state care. Over 9,000 are in institutions, 18,000 in residential, family-based care, 19,000 in foster care, and 21,000 in simple family placements.
In the last 7 – 8 years, the childcare system entries are equal to the exits. Which means that, as youngsters leave care, little ones come in. That is due to the lack of programmes to prevent child separation from families. The admissions of children in care (that is, tearing them apart from their families, from their parents) will only stop when parents are encouraged to stay with their children. In most situations, the causes of separation are related to poverty, and the lack of support for vulnerable families.
When we have a methodology and tools to be used nationally in preventing child separation from families, then the number of children in state care will drop, and the number of those in families will increase. Then, we will be able to state that the childcare system is really designed in the child’s best interest.
© 2012 Stefan Darabus