TIC Process CNF Ecuador

18-07-2010 - 

In 7 months, we have developed a clear reunification process in the Temporary Institutional Custody program of our center.

Beginning this year, the Child 'N Family center started its Temporary Institutional Custody program; in the first seven months we have received 18 children. The reasons for their admission vary, but for all of them an extreme at-risk situation made the Children's Judge decide to remove them out of their homes.

When the children enter our program, the technical team immediately approaches the parents. On both sides they work hard to finally replace the child with its family. First therapies are done in a separated way and after a month the real reunification process starts. For example, the parents can see their children for 15 minutes in the presence of the therapist. When clear progress is made, the children can go home for a day or a weekend. The therapist or social worker will visit them to see with their own eyes if the family situation has improved and if the discussed rules of life are being implemented in the home environment. Poverty should never be the cause of a broken family; so if we see explicit positive attitude changes, we sometimes support a poor family with healthy food or second hand clothes or furniture. On average, it takes three months for the circumstances to change in such a way that the Children's Judge agrees to replace the child. In our program this has been the case for 11 children.

After reunification the family still forms part of our Child 'N Family center. They continue to attend individual sessions or come to weekly organized workshops. 

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