Rinat Akhmetov Foundation took part in seminar of the Ministry of Social Policy arranged for employees of children services

Through September 12-14 Kyiv hosted a three-day seminar to upgrade the qualification of children services in regional, Kyiv city and district state administrations. The event was organized by the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine. The subject of the seminar was: "Enforcement of rights and best interests of orphans and children deprived of parental care when placing them in families (adoption, custody, foster families, family-type orphanages)".

The specialists of "Say No to Orphanhood" program also took part in the training.

"As part of "Say No to Orphanhood" program implementation Rinat Akhmetov Foundation supported the training event for employees of children services arranged by the Ministry of Social Policy. Lately, there are many conversations about such forms of family upbringing as a foster family and family-type orphanage. The Foundation employees also face the questions from adoptive parents and foster parents regarding changes in legislation. The seminar is relevant for all state services and organizations that are intended to protect the interests of orphans", – Yevheniia Rzaieva, Manager of "Say No to Orphanhood" program, shared.

Representatives of the Ministry of Social Policy commented on the latest changes in legislation and shared the near-term plans. As before, the priority for the state and society shall be enforcement of rights and best interests of orphans and children deprived of parental care.

"After adoption of Resolution #458 by the Cabinet of Ministers, there are many questions coming from adoptive parents, that is why we will clarify them and arrange these collective seminars to upgrade qualifications", – Ruslan Kolbasa, Director of Department for children's rights protection and adoption at the Ministry of Social Policy, commented.

Also children service specialists listened to Maryna Sorokina, Coordinator of Psychological service at Rinat Akhmetov Humanitarian Center, who took the floor and held training on emotional burnout prevention among specialists.

Information. Rinat Akhmetov Foundation helps orphans for eight years now. 8,140 orphaned children found their new families thanks to "Say No to Orphanhood" project. This result became possible thanks to cooperation of the Foundation with the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine and children services. Now there are more than 9,000 profiles on www.sirotstvy.net. In 2016 the Foundation launched a new project called "Mentorship", due to which teenage orphans can rely on adult mentors and friends to find their way in life.