Space for Communication
Project "Integrative programs for children/young adults with developmental disabilities and support for their families"
Main values
Geography: Moscow
CSS contribution, rubles
Total budget, rubles
Implementation period, months
Project idea
The “Space for Communication” Centre offers a comprehensive project to support families with children who have mental disabilities. It is aimed at overcoming isolation and normalizing the lives of children and their families within Russian society.
The project includes various socialization programs for children, adolescents, and young adults with mental disabilities, which complement each other and collectively lead to qualitative and sustainable changes in the lives of the beneficiaries.
The project will include group sessions, winter and summer inclusive family camps.
Additionally, psychological and legal support for families raising children with developmental disabilities, group and individual psychological consultations, and online legal assistance will be provided.
Relevance
The significance of the project is driven by the acute problem of social isolation faced by families raising children with developmental disabilities and/or mental disabilities.
Children and young people with such characteristics often encounter communication difficulties, leading to a narrowing of their social circle and limited opportunities for integration into society.
Isolation, lack of sensory and emotional experiences, as well as limited participation in activities available to peers, exacerbate the situation, leading to secondary socialization disorders, reduced motivation, and behavioral problems.
As a result, the life trajectory of a person with developmental disabilities deviates from conventional, and the family becomes trapped in the situation.
Unfortunately, in Russian society, there is still widespread rejection and blame directed at people with mental disorders, which further complicates the situation.
The lack of sufficient social support, particularly accessible social services and facilities, often leads to one parent (usually the mother) leaving active life to dedicate herself to caring for the child. This changes the family's way of life, leading to psychological problems, parental exhaustion, intra-family tension, and conflicts.
Thus, developmental disorders, especially mental or psychological disorders, affect both the person with functional limitations and their immediate environment.
In this regard, there is an urgent need for special efforts and programs aimed at supporting the socialization and integration of children and young adults with developmental disorders, as well as providing psychological, legal, and social assistance to their families.
Social effect
Contributing to solving the isolation problems of families with children who have mental disorders and creating conditions for their full life in society.
KPI
KPI
Project Results
The functioning of children and young adults in the areas of communication, socialization, self-care, household activities, and the execution of daily activities improved (specific results depended on the initial condition of each child).
The quality of life for families improved due to the availability of psychological and legal assistance, as well as an increase in their resilience (evaluation was based on family feedback).
The competence of specialists in building partnerships with families, using family-oriented practices, and applying social models in the rehabilitation and education of people with disabilities increased. (evaluation was based on interviews, specialist feedback, and supervisions).
Project progress after CSS funding
The activities of integrative groups at the “Space for Communication” Centre will continue with the support of the CSS Charity Foundation. Legal activities within the project have shown high demand and will be allocated as a separate project with the support of the CSS Foundation.
The Centre will continue to provide free psychological assistance to families of children and young adults with developmental disabilities (the project is supported by the "Absolute Help" Charitable Foundation).
