Partnership for reforming residential system for looking after disabled persons

The Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family and a number of international organizations Friday signed a cooperation agreement for 2012-2016, pledging to cooperate in implementing the initiatives concerning the reformation of the residential system for ensuring the social protection and looking after disabled persons, put forward by the Government of Moldova, Info-Prim Neo reports. “The Ministry committed itself to promoting polices on the social inclusion of persons with disabilities, preventing institutionalization and improving the legislation regulating the social services provided for these persons,” said Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Valentina Buliga. The Ministry’s partners – Soros Foundation Moldova, Keystone Human Services International Moldova Association and Open Society Mental Health Initiative – pledged to support the creation of new community services for persons with disabilities within the Inclusive Community – Moldova Project that was launched at the end of 2008. They will also provide technical assistance to the Ministry and will contribute to developing the abilities of the persons working in the social protection system. Open Society Mental Health Initiative manager Raluca Bunea said one organization has limited possibilities of achieving objectives, while in partnership it is much easier. “The whole society will benefit if the objectives of this agreement are achieved. If the persons with disabilities are held in an institution, all the costs for maintaining them are covered by the state. But if they are integrated into society, they are able to study and learn skills. A part of them work and can pay for the services provided for them,” said Raluca Bunea. Soros Moldova executive director Victor Ursu said that Moldova gives a good example to other states. “We cooperated with other ministries and our initiatives were often limited to the formulation of policies. I’m impressed by how things develop within this program,” he stated. The signatories of the agreement said about US$5 million will be spent to achieve the set objectives during four years.