Foster care is not an alternative to a family (video)
A child has more chances to develop into an individual and become a full-fledged member of society if he grows up with a family. No matter what approach employees of orphanages or boarding schools show, a family environment is irreplaceable in this context. “The biggest difference is the provision of family care, which unfortunately is not possible under the conditions of an orphanage,” says Hayk Khemchyan, a Child Protection Programme Officer at UNICEF Armenia. The foster care system was introduced in Armenia three years ago with joint efforts by UNICEF, USAID and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. A child left without parental care or in a difficult situation is sent to a foster family. There he/she is dealt with love and affection, guidance and care. Upon reaching 18, children are sent back to their biological families. “Experience shows that in some cases children cannot return to their biological families for various reasons. Biological parents are not ready to get their child back or the family lives in an extremely vulnerable situation,” Mr Khemchyan says. Currently, there are 25 foster families in Armenia. Each of them received AMD 130 000 every month. There are strict criteria and requirements for selection of foster parents. Foster families complete training courses and undergo a home study to acquire special skills and knowledge. But here, too, there is a reason for concern. Critics are convinced that the strengthening of the child caring institution prevents the return of a child to the family. Hayk Khemchyan holds a different opinion. “An important formula for us is that foster care is not an alternative to a family, rather, for a child foster care is an alternative to an institution. We do not mean to expand the scope of fostering; we suggest doing it at the expense of the foster families.” Introduction of the institute of foster families is not an ultimate goal, but it has no alternative at this point. “First of all, we believe that the purpose of foster care is to assist and help the return of children to their biological families. I do not know any country which has not passed this path, and child care is organized more effectively in large facilities and child care centers than in a family environment,” the specialist said.
