Three projects supported by Switzerland:
Modern and humane social services
The region of Košice has 14 institutions in total for 1,838 children and adults with disabilities. The "Please come and join us…" project is ensuring the renovation and modernisation of the "Domco" centre and the training of 70 social workers. It promotes the inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in Slovakian society. The project is intended to help move care for people with disabilities away from institutions and put it on a more human level by breaking down organisational structures into smaller units, reducing the number of patients per room, building more sanitary facilities and introducing a varied choice of modern therapies.
Switzerland is helping fund the project with a contribution of CHF 1,342,000. Most of the funding is being spent on construction.
Supporting the inclusion of children and young people with disabilities
"Comprehensive social services for children and young people in Stará L'ubovňa" is a project to offer children and young people with disabilities and their parents counselling services, modern therapies and means of transport. Young people with disabilities will also receive better coaching and advice to enable them to enter employment. Finally, information and lobbying activities will help improve acceptance of children and young people with disabilities among the general public and in the workplace. Training and motivating social workers is also vital. Surveys among staff have shown that day-to-day stress can negatively affect motivation and emphasised the need for life-long learning.
Switzerland is helping to fund the project with a contribution of CHF 1,110,000 CHF. It is being run by the NGO "Greek-Catholic Charity".
High-quality complex social services for children with disabilities
In the Košice region, the Slovak Red Cross is working closely with the local authorities to implement the ROAD project for disabled children. The project is increasing the care centre's capacity by 30% and improving its infrastructure by creating new therapy and patient rooms, as well as offices and a new kitchen. Specialists are being trained in the areas of psychology and neurology, and care staff are also receiving continuing training. Furthermore, the families of the disabled children receive comprehensive advice and support through the project.
Switzerland is helping to fund the project with a contribution of CHF 949,000. The Swiss foundation for young disabled people, Bärenmoos, is also contributing valuable experience to the project.
