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project info
Start date: 1 October 2021
End date: 31 December 2027
funding
Fund: European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)
Total budget: 6 000 000,00 €
EU contribution: 5 700 000,00 € (95%)
programme
Programming period: 2021-2027
European Commission Topic
European Commission Topic

Center for Family Intervention and Support for Autism

The project was approved by Decision of the Council of Ministers No 87.345 dated 6/5/2019 and is implemented under the Cohesion Policy Programme "THALIA 2021-2027" with co-financing from the European Social Fund. The Center operated in October 2021 by a contractor, after signing a public contract (TKEAA 05/2020) with the Department of Social Integration of People with Disabilities, in renovated building facilities in the building complex of the Christos Stelios Ioannou Foundation in Strovolos. The aim is the early intervention and support of both the child and the family, in the context of a family-centered, multidisciplinary and individualized intervention, to alleviate the symptoms of autism and develop maximum autonomy while maintaining family cohesion, unity and harmony, avoiding isolation and social exclusion of either the child or the family. The Centre's services consist of and aim at the following:A) Psychological Support Service: It is addressed to parents/guardians and/or other family members where necessary. Psycho-emotional support and empowerment of family members is provided for managing the situation, maintaining family balance and cohesion, quality of life, prevention of marital or other crises. Provided by Registered Psychologists at the Centre’s offices and other provincial premises.(B) Home Education Service: It is addressed to children with ASD and their parents and/or carers and is provided at home or in another appropriate place as appropriate. The child is trained in necessary activities for skills development and behavior regulation in order to better adapt and integrate into the school environment and the community. At the same time, parents are trained in methods of education, employment and communication with the child, aiming at the best possible generalization of the skills acquired in other clinical or educational contexts (therapists and / or special teachers). The aim is the smoothest possible flow of the everyday life of the family and the effective participation of the child in family life and other activities within society. Provided by graduates of Social Sciences, Psychology and Special Education.C) Social Support Service: It is addressed to parents/guardians by social workers who are employed as social inclusion workers for a certain period of time. Information, information and support for the family are provided as well as their interconnection with all the competent services/organisations. After evaluation and targeting by each department, a personalized intervention plan is prepared which sets out the goals for each child and his family. The Services cooperate closely with each other, with frequent multidisciplinary meetings, but also with other specialists and services attending the child and/or the family who are also invited to the multidisciplinary meetings, as appropriate. In addition, Officers of the Centre and the three Services participate in multidisciplinary meetings of other services and organisations such as school, doctors, etc. The aim is to complement the existing institutional framework in Cyprus with these services so that the family benefits and is supported as a whole to provide a healthy and safe environment in which the child can develop and progress. In addition, it aims to prevent other social problems by focusing on supporting parents so that they can effectively perform their role and maintain a high quality of life for themselves as well as for all family members. It is very important that the Center operates decentralized and provides its services at home, in the natural environment of the child and the family, to maximize the results. Through this, parents become familiar with the presence of experts in their lives, they feel more comfortable and the child's space is shaped according to their needs for better learning and adaptation, as well as encouraging communication and healthy interaction with all family members. Brotherly relationships are promoted (where they exist) since the Trainer can involve siblings in the educational process there and where appropriate through play or other creative activities, while the Psychologist through psychoeducation and other methods strengthens the position of siblings in the family alongside the child. Finally, focusing on the mental well-being of parents is an innovation and works more holistically to support the child and the whole family as effectively as possible.

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