Pro-Baby. For parents of children with challenges

About this project

<p>In Poland there is no comprehensive health care system addressed to families with children with disabilities. Parents of children hospitalised in neonatal intensive care units do not receive reliable information nor appropriate support. This experience causes them stress comparable to traumatic stress. They often feel despair, guilt or injustice, and even struggle with depression. There is a lack of multi-specialist centres where the child is in the centre of attention, and where professionals work closely together and consult with each other to determine the scope of treatment. In addition, activities aimed at the child with disabilities usually overlook the aspect of functioning of healthy family members. Therefore, families with children with disabilities very often break up (statistically 8 out of 10 marriages break up after the birth of a child with disability). In this project we want to create and test solutions that will improve the support system for families with children with disabilities in the Wielkopolska Region. We will design a web application, launch a specialized forum and create a network of 10 PRO-BABY – Early Childhood Support Information and Consultation Points. We will conduct an evaluation and elaborate a report on the possibility of disseminating the developed solutions throughout Poland. In creating the network of Pro-Baby Points, we cooperate with such organisations and institutions as: the Department of Neonatal Infections of Poznan University of Medical Sciences, the Rysy Foundation, the Association for Children and Adults with Cerebral Palsy "Żurawinka", the Club of Enterprising Women and the Little Pony Clinic in Suchy Las. Our foreign partners include Centre for Applied Social Sciences (CASS) University of Tartu (Estonia), Gerðaskóli, Suðurnesjabær (Iceland) and the Women's Issues Centre (Lithuania).</p>

Bilateral cooperation results

Cooperation with a partner from Iceland significantly enriched the project, contributing unique perspectives and solutions based on Icelandic experiences. Iceland, known for its advanced approach to social policy and systemic support for families, was an inspiration for us in many areas: 1. Understanding the needs of families of children with disabilities The partner from Iceland presented detailed mechanisms for supporting families of children with disabilities, based on an individual approach to each case. We learned how to effectively organize psychological, educational and financial support, which will help us better adapt our activities to the needs of families in Poland. 2. Inter-sectoral integration Thanks to the partner from Iceland, we learned about solutions that facilitate the integration of the medical, educational and social sectors, which allow us to create comprehensive support programs. The Icelandic model of cooperation between institutions has become a model for us, which we want to adapt. 3. Exchange of good practices The partner allowed us to participate in workshops and meetings with Icelandic specialists, who shared their experiences regarding modern forms of rehabilitation, supporting the inclusion of children in social life and inclusive education. This significantly enriched our knowledge and competence resources. Continuation plan: Development of a comprehensive model of support for the family of a child with a disability Based on the experience gathered in Iceland and other activities within the project, we plan to implement a comprehensive model of support for the family of a child with a disability in cooperation with foreign partners. The model will include: Introduction of a support system at the diagnosis stage, including psychological and information care for parents and creation of an early intervention network that will allow for a quick response to the needs of the child and family.

Project partners

• Gerðaskóli Donor project partner· Iceland