The Association of Social Services SCUT as a partner and the Association for People with Physical Disabilities St. Haralambie Brașov, as an applicant will develop between 03.08.2020 - 02.08.2023 the project OUR HOUSE, Call code: POCU/738/4/20 Composite operation OS 4.12, OS 4.13, First Chamber component - Innovative tools for the socio-professional integration of young people leaving the special protection system - Less developed regions, Priority Axis: Social inclusion and combating poverty.

The main objective of the OUR HOUSE project is to provide integrated support services to facilitate the transition of young people from the institutionalized care system to independent living in the community with a focus on increasing the chances of socio-professional integration.

The specific objectives of the project

To provide integrated support services in order to ensure the transition from institutionalized care services (residential type) to community-level services that increase their chances of socio-professional integration, for a number of 63 children and young people in Alba counties, Brașov and Covasna.

The integrated services will include, but are not limited to, the following: counseling and vocational guidance services, vocational training and return to the education system.

To provide assistance programs for 126 young people from residential institutions in Alba, Brașov and Covasna counties in order to prepare for an easy transition and an independent life after leaving the protection system.

This will be achieved through the development of complex programs and socio-economic integration at the community level, which will also promote cooperation with the local community to ensure the needs of housing, care, health, social assistance, education and training, etc.

The target group of the project consists of 126 people, children and young people from the state protection system or who have left the system, divided according to the indicators:

1. Children and young people supported by the ESF who benefit from community services (social, medical, socio-professional, etc.) - 63
2. Previously institutionalized persons receiving Community services - 63

The project proposes the following activities:

1. For institutionalized children and young people:

   • Educational modules for the development of independent living skills (DVI) aimed at completing a complex DVI program that includes self-care modules, financial management, health education, community relations/social skills, self-management, etc.
   • Personal development/empowerment groups for the preparation of the transition from the center outside it;
   • Psychological counseling/individual therapy according to the identified needs;
   • Peer-education: pilot program, monthly meetings between young people who have left placement centers and have an experience of at least 1 year of independent living and have acquired, proven good skills for social and labor market integration and institutionalized children/youth.

2. For de-institutionalized young people:

   • Individual and/or group counseling/psychotherapy;
   • Medical services package;
   • Educational modules for developing independent living skills (depending on needs, by modules): self-care, financial management, health education, community relations/social skills, self-management, parenting skills, etc.;
   • Mentoring: pilot program for 30 young people - one-on-one relationship of emotional and informational support with people from the community with experience of independent living (on a voluntary basis), for a period of at least 3 months;
   • Socio-recreational and social activities: encouraging talents, hobbies by participating in an elective course, camps, etc.
   • Support for the support of young people who have left the institutionalized child protection system by providing financial support for the provision of housing and payment for utilities.

3. For both categories of beneficiaries:

   • Vocational assessment and guidance: psycho-aptitude assessment with tests and counseling for vocational guidance;
   • Vocational training course;
   • Education for work: modules for the development of work skills (DVI) (eg. interview presentation, adaptation to work, relationships with bosses/colleagues, attitude towards work, etc.);
   • Counseling for the prevention of school dropout or return to school in existing second chance programs in the education system;
   • Integration in internship and assisted employment programs during the holidays (Social innovation);
   • Activities to combat stigma and discrimination (anti-stigma and anti-discrimination program): mixed camps, living library, campaign in schools, PhotoVoice and other public events.

By achieving the general objective of our project, we will contribute to reducing the number of institutionalized children and young people, we will provide new services at the community level in Alba, Brasov and Covasna, to ensure the transition from institutionalized system to community level services and we will increase the number of institutionalized young people who acquire the necessary skills to be able to live an independent life when leaving the residential institution.