A discussion was held at the National Press Club of the Bulgarian News Agency in Svishtov on Monday, as part of “Accept Me,” a joint national initiative by BTA and the Social Assistance Agency focused on promoting foster care. The event commenced with a video showcasing the experiences of foster families in Svishtov who are raising children, including a seven-year-old boy and his twin sisters. Deputy Mayor Anelia Dimitrova, overseeing education, social, and youth policies, emphasized the critical role of foster care.
She highlighted that it serves as a vital social service, offering children without parental support, those at risk, or with disabilities the chance to develop within a family setting supported by professionally trained foster parents. Milena Ilieva, head of the local Social Assistance Directorate, reported that in Svishtov and Polski Trambesh, 17 children are currently in foster care with 14 professional foster families. She described foster care as both a duty and a significant opportunity for the future well-being of vulnerable children.
Anelia Dimitrova added that over nearly 15 years, dozens of families have registered as professional foster parents in Svishtov, providing care to close to 30 children. Iskra Gaydarova, Director of the Centre for Public Support in Svishtov, stated that society has the power to determine the standard of care provided to children. The “Accept Me” initiative is part of a larger project designed to strengthen staff capacity within the Social Assistance Agency and enhance social protection systems, specifically targeting the development of foster care in Bulgaria.
This project is funded under the Human Resources Development Programme, co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus.
Topics: #foster #promoting #care
This initiative seems like a valuable step toward strengthening community support for foster families.
What specific resources or support systems are available to families interested in becoming foster parents through the “Accept Me” initiative?