Public Organization “Bryansk Regional Jewish Community and Charity Center Hesed Tikva”
Family Center “Joy School”
Main values
Geography: Bryansk Oblast
CSS contribution, rubles
Total budget, rubles
Implementation period, months
Project idea
The public organization, Bryansk Regional Jewish Community and Charity Center Hesed Tikva, assists Jewish families with children who have developmental disabilities and supports families facing challenging circumstances.
The "Joy School" project was established to assist children of early and preschool age with special health needs from families facing challenging circumstances. Its aim is to prepare these children for school, address and remediate existing developmental disorders, and cultivate the skills essential for their educational journey.
The course comprises both individual and group sessions tailored for children with special needs. The participation is not limited to Jewish families.
All children will be grouped according to their age: the Early Development Group (up to 3 years old), the Middle Preschool Group (4-5 years old), and the Senior Preschool Group (6-7-8 years old).
The group classes will be conducted in the following areas:
- Early development
- ABC Fun
- Counting Made Fun
- The World Around Us
- Kaleidoscope of Colors
- Walking Together With Fun
For the early development group, classes will be held once a week, consisting of two 20-minute sessions. For preschool children, classes will take place twice a week, with three 25-minute sessions each time.
Individual lessons are provided by a psychologist, a special education teacher, and a speech therapist. Additionally, the project encompasses novel work areas with children, including corrective rhythmic exercises. Lesson duration varies based on age and lesson type, ranging from 25 to 50 minutes, and occurs weekly.
The project also provides parents with the opportunity to receive professional counseling.
Relevance
Research in child psychology indicates that by the ages of 7 to 8, children have developed up to 70% of the fundamental skills and abilities that later facilitate success in academic pursuits, professional growth, and their social roles within society. Children with special health needs represent a unique group that urgently requires the support of specialized professionals. The compensation for impaired functions is essential, and the sooner it begins, the more effective the outcomes will be.
The issue of supporting children during their preschool years has consistently been of importance for various reasons. Specialized groups in kindergartens typically start accepting children from the age of 5, less frequently from the age of 4, and only for specific disorders such as those affecting the locomotor system or hearing do they admit children as young as 2 to 3 years old. The shortage of qualified educators complicates the situation.
According to Anna Bitova of the "Center for Curative Pedagogy,” Regional Charitable Public Organization, the early intervention system will help to mitigate the issue of abandonment of children with developmental disorders. The scarcity of spots in specialized programs must not be overlooked. Parents seeking assistance can visit fee-based developmental centers. However, not all children have access to this service, as not every family possesses the financial resources required. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the number of families facing challenging circumstances has significantly increased, resulting in a greater number of children with special health needs who require both accessible and specialized assistance.
The "Joy School" project aims to offer prompt corrective and developmental support to children, as well as counseling and educational services to parents on current issues related to child development and parenting. It seeks to enhance the relationship between children and parents, thereby contributing to the strengthening of family bonds and, in some instances, potentially preventing the breakdown of families.
Social effect
Enhancing family support to prevent the abandonment of children with special health needs. Enhancing the integration of children with special health needs into society.
KPI
KPI
Project Results
All planned objectives were successfully achieved.
Children involved in the project received extensive preschool education, while parents were provided with essential knowledge and guidance.
In the initial phase of the project, children underwent preliminary diagnostics, and a series of sessions across various disciplines with highly qualified experts enabled them to address developmental delays in multiple areas simultaneously:
- Cognitive, speech, emotional, and volitional domains;
- Enhancement of cognitive processes, including perception, attention, memory, and thinking;
- Enhancement of speech development, refinement of pronunciation, and expansion of vocabulary;
- Enhancement of spatial awareness concepts;
- Enhancement of gross and fine motor skills through the application of visual arts, music, and movement techniques;
- Enhancement of play and communication abilities.
The classes expanded the children's horizons and enriched their understanding of the world, helping them to become better integrated into society.
The social worker engaged with families throughout the project period regarding organizational matters and observed the dynamics of their
family circumstances.
The most significant result of the project was the enhancement of interactions between family members and their children, leading to an improved quality of life for the entire family.
Project progress after CSS funding
The project's advancement is anticipated through engagement in competitive grant opportunities within the selected field, alongside the recruitment of volunteers and the procurement of sponsorships. A parental contribution towards the fees for certain classes can be introduced.
