18-year-olds who receive care in round-the-clock institutions operating under the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia have started a new and independent life in a small community house in the village of Aknashen.
“Armenpress”the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (LSA) has been discussing for a long time the process of creating a long-term deinstitutionalization road map and the task of thoroughly presenting these steps in one document, because, according to LSA Deputy Minister Tatevik Stepanyan, without community services on the path of deinstitutionalization, it will be impossible to talk about the closure of large institutions and the transformation of services.
“A big process of assessment of the needs of the dependents living in all our institutions will be started, which is one of the very first steps in creating a road map for deinstitutionalization, so that the state can have a clear idea of how the removal process from large institutions to the community should take place in accordance with the relevant programs,” Stepanyan said.
According to his information, the expert team of the Ministry of ASR with the support of the Izmirlian Foundation was able to create a whole system package, including the needs assessment formats. Based on the assessment of the person’s functioning and in order to develop the necessary abilities to live or live at home, an environment and conditions are created for each resident in accordance with their abilities and skills.
There are defined targets for each resident, what steps to take, so that, for example, the knowledge and skills used in the daily routine of every house living in the village of Aknashen develop sufficiently among the residents as well.
“These are just transitional residences, based on which we will be able to integrate the residents into the communities on the basis of an apartment allocated in a social housing fund, on a rental basis or with apartment certificates, we will be able to create sufficient grounds for the residents’ independent residence in the communities,” said Stepanyan.
After the acquisition of the Aknasheni community small group house, the reconstruction and renovation was completely based on the issue of ensuring accessibility. Along with the reconstruction and repair, the process of designing and developing the complete furniture of the house was carried out. Not only the observance of construction standards, the quality of the works, but also the functional comfort of the area was emphasized. In all rooms of the house, the furnishing, design, and functionality of the furniture are adapted for the use of people with disabilities. The ergotherapy specialists helped a lot in that matter.
During the evaluation, special attention was also paid to environmental factors, in particular, the presence and accessibility of services in the community, as well as community support, because it is not possible to observe a person outside of his environment and surroundings. One of the most important issues of the deinstitutionalization process is how accurately and systematically it is possible to assess the needs of each person and develop services in accordance with these needs.
According to ASR Minister Arsen Torosyan, a new phase of life begins for the beneficiaries over 18 years old, transferred from the institution to Aknasheni’s house, in a more community-friendly, more independent, more dignified environment.
“Our goal is not only the physical transfer of people, but the creation of such an environment where every person will have support, care, development and the opportunity to fully participate in public life. Each such step brings us closer to having an inclusive and human-centered social protection system,” said Torosyan.
