Four Teams from Three Countries Took Part in Family-Mediated Intervention Training at Karin Dom
In the practical training in Karin Dom took part: a representative of EASPD and early intervention services – two teams from Theotokos Foundation and Amimoni Association, Greece and two representatives of the Dutch organization Cordaan.
Four teams from three countries participated in family-mediated intervention training at Karin Dom, led by our colleagues Dr. Nicoleta Yoncheva and Andreas Andreu.
“We would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts and express our deepest gratitude for this amazing visit to your organization, to the beautiful Karin Dom. We have gained so much valuable knowledge by observing your outstanding work and innovative protocols for working with families. The exchange of good practices and the fruitful conversations we had together will be useful for us for a long time. We returned home with great inspiration to implement the good practices of Karin Dom and change our services for the better. Karin Dom and its people are a unique example of what happens when forces are joined together for a good cause. A true beacon for early childhood intervention in Europe. We consider all of you dear and valuable colleagues and believe that this is the beginning of a beautiful collaboration and exchange of ideas between our organizations for many years to come.” – Feedback shared by our colleagues at Theotokos Foundation
The training took place under the Lighthouse project of EASPD (European Association of Social Service Providers). The Lighthouse Network was created to encourage EASPD members to share solutions and learn from each other. The network promotes peer learning by bringing together EASPD members with specific expertise and others who would like to build on their knowledge and capacity. Involved: EASPD representative and early intervention services – two teams from Theotokos Foundation and Amimoni Association, Greece and two representatives from the Dutch organization Cordaan.
The Theotokos Foundation is one of the oldest non-governmental organizations in Greece, with a 60-year history. Their services include support for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and on the autism spectrum, including therapy and special education for children from 2.5 to 5 years of age. Amimoni Association supports children and visually impaired people with or without other special needs. They provide early intervention services in a home environment throughout Greece.
Cordaan provides health services and palliative care in a home environment, therapeutic services and temporary accommodation for around 20,000 people of all ages with the help of 6,000 staff and 2,500 volunteers. The inspiring motto of the Dutch organization is “With love for life.” In the field of early intervention, they also provide support with the help of behavioral therapists, who advise both families and caregivers, as well as childcare staff, for the successful inclusion of children.
The two-day training program was saturated with opportunities for practical observation of the work in the different groups of family-mediated intervention and Montessori therapy group, discussion of what was seen, the path of families, shared through the eyes of therapists, social workers and parents. At the end of their visit, the guests shared their experiences and practices in the field of early intervention.
The project is part of efforts to build an early childhood intervention system in Greece, through which all young children in need and their families receive timely, affordable and quality services throughout the country.
We created valuable partnerships, exchanged experiences and ideas, and our colleagues left inspired to implement Karin Dom’s innovative practices in their work with children. We wish them success and plan opportunities for future joint projects.
