Accredited Training Program Emergency Foster Care Implemented in Kragujevac

An accredited training program titled “Emergency Foster Care - Supporting Children and Youth in Crisis and Traumatic Situations” was successfully implemented in Kragujevac.

The training, which involved 22 professionals from 18 priority local self-governments, is part of the “Improving Accessibility and Quality of Family Accommodation” project being carried out by the Association of Centres for Family Accommodation and Adoption through the “PRO - Local Governance for People and Nature” programme jointly implemented by United Nations agencies in Serbia - UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNEP, in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Serbia and with financial support of the Government of Switzerland.

This accredited specialised training on emergency foster care was conducted as part of the response to the specific needs of families and will contribute to increased capacities of professionals and foster families to provide quality and accessible services for children in need. It is expected that 40 social protection professionals will be educated and certified to work with foster families and that 50 new foster families will be recruited and supported in providing foster care for children. Emergency foster care is used in urgent cases when a child or young person is abandoned by their parents or another caregiver, in cases of domestic violence, severe neglect, or abuse, and when parents or guardians are unable to care for the child or young person.