MOSALVY - DAC JOINT WORKSHOP ON
"ACCOMMODATION NEEDS OF ORPHANED AND ABANDONED CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES"

Phnom Penh: 13 to 14 August 2001

Background

For some years research and other studies have been undertaken to provide information on which to base policies and programs for alternative options of care for orphaned and abandoned children with disabilities. As a result of these studies, the Children with Disabilities (Accommodation) Committee was initiated by the Disability Action Council (DAC), with representatives from MOSALVY, NGOs, UNICEF and DAC Secretariat staff participating in the planning process. As a result a National Strategy for the Accommodation Needs of Children with Disabilities was developed and approved by MOSALVY. This document gave attention to the general accommodation needs of children with disabilities although the focus again is on orphaned and abandoned children with disabilities. Key points included in the document relate to providing opportunities within communities for disabled children to be integrated through options such as Group Homes, Fostering and Uniting and/or Supporting Disabled Children to remain with their families in the community. A pilot study, providing a Group Home for Disabled children is already being implemented and another is awaiting approval from MOSALVY to be established. Disabled children from the Nutrition Center (NC), a government orphanage, have or will be going into the Group Homes thus reducing the numbers at the NC.

A project proposal, approved by MOSALVY, has also been written seeking funds to implement the National Strategy.

It has been recognized that in addition to promoting community living it may be necessary for small centers for the long-term care of the more severely disabled to be established and existing ones maintained. These centers could also serve as training and respite centers. They could be "centers of excellence" where parents and allied health professionals could receive training in how to care for severely disabled children etc. Specific policies, guidelines and management responsibilities need to be clearly clarified and defined.

A major issue has been and continues to be the securing of long-term support for these programs. Most NGOs and Bi-lateral / Multi-lateral donors are not in a position to support long-term funding and/or technical/professional assistance and support. The Government of Cambodia has limited funds and/or does not understand the critical need to support this work and allocate funds accordingly. Therefore there is a dilemma which to date has not been resolved but seriously affects the welfare of orphaned disabled children.

Children with disabilities are defined as people under the age of 18 years old who have physical or intellectual impairment which may present a handicap to social interaction, mobility, education, health and well-being and future employment potential. Orphaned and abandoned children are those children who are without a primary caregiver.

Purpose:

The purpose of the workshop is to bring together all key players who are responsible for or are concerned about the welfare/well-being of children with disabilities especially orphaned and abandoned children with disabilities. The focus of the workshop will be on the accommodation needs of orphaned and abandoned children with disabilities. It is intended that issues relating to the long-term needs in this area of work will be discussed and recommendations made to enable MOSALVY to make an appropriate submission to the Council of Ministers.

Please note that when the term "Accommodation" is used this encompasses a holistic approach to the well being of the child. We are seeking an environment (a home/s) where the potential of the children can be realized, where care and love can be given by the 'Carers' who are trained and supported, as required, by the community with professional and technical personnel.

Aim:

To prepare policies and guidelines, based on concrete recommendations, for the long-term care and funding of programs for orphaned and abandoned children with disabilities. These will be included in the MOSALVY National Strategy to be presented to the Council of Ministers.

Objectives:

1. To determine and prioritize options for the accommodation needs of orphaned and abandoned children with disabilities i.e. Group Homes, Centers, and Foster Care.
2. To determine the role and responsibilities of MOSALVY, NGOs, DAC, UN bodies and key players relating to the funding and long-term care of orphaned and abandoned children with disabilities.
3. To discuss funding options and make recommendations for on-going funding sources and who will be responsible for securing funding.

Participants

There are approximately 50 participants from senior levels of government institutions, representatives of Local / International NGOs, and IOs providing related services, representatives of related UN bodies and representatives of DAC committees / working Groups.

Methodology

The workshop will be conducted in both Khmer and English languages using a participatory approach with both plenary and group discussions. During the discussion sessions, the participants will be divided into small groups based on the number of participants and common language (i.e. English, Khmer). The topics for discussion are based on the above stated Objectives.

The presentation of the results of the small group discussions will be in the plenary sessions.

Time for questions, clarification and comments will be available as needed and necessary after each group presentation.


The workshop schedule

The time allocated to this workshop will be two full days starting from 0800 AM till 1730 PM. Please click here to view the proposed schedule of the workshop.