Service Name
to spread the message of inclusiveness and independent living in the community.
COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICE CENTRE FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
The average time of inclusion in the service of a beneficiary is 2 sessions per week. All cases addressed at the centre attend services that are tailored to their age and development level throughout their lives.
Service Provider
Durrës Municipality Contact Information Address: L.17, Rruga “Dalip Peza”, Banesat sociale,
Durrës. Telefon: +355(0) 52201845 E-mail: alda.agolli@durres.gov.al Service description This community-based services Centre for children with disabilities aged 2-21, works with children and their families to ensure inclusion in kindergartens, schools and the community. The Centre provides: Direct services for children with disabilities on behavioural issues, communication, autonomy, education, and academic and motor skills. The service is provided from Monday to Friday, through group and individual programmes. Training for the families of children with disabilities to work with their children at home and advocate for their inclusion into the education system and the community. Parents also have the opportunity to benefit from counselling sessions from the centre’s psychologist. Awareness raising opportunities for the community to support the inclusion of children with disabilities. The Centre organizes a series of awareness raising activities 032
Service development history The Centre was established in 2016, in response to the need to provide services for children with disabilities and their families in Durrës. To this end, Durrës municipality has cooperated with the organization Save the Children that, through a 3-year project implemented in partnership with the “Help The Life” Association, did provide for the restoration of the premises whereby the Centre would operate, training of the staff, delivery of services for children and their families, and the creation of a network of collaborators. Upon completion of the project that laid the foundations of the Centre, its administration was completely assigned to Durrës municipality which has provided maximum support to maintain the set standards. Professional service providers The services are provided by a multidisciplinary staff consisting of 1 social worker, 1 psychologist, 1 speech therapist, 1 physiotherapist and 2 developmental therapists. Innovation The Centre is the only one of its kind in Durrës offering this model of public services, whereby the whole family benefits the services. The creation of self-help groups with children with disabilities and their siblings, who meet every month with the centre’s psychologist sharing common emotions, feelings and experiences, is a new element of the service. Advantages This service’s model has the advantage of focusing on the whole family and its support. Particular attention is paid to the
