Sergei Sobyanin told how Moscow supports orphans and foster families

In Moscow, the system of support for orphans and families who accept them for upbringing is expanding. Already in November, the capital’s guardianship will launch the project “Mentoring School”. It will help teenagers find an adult who can support them during important changes and help them decide on their future path. The mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin announced new initiatives in his channel in the messenger “Max” on the World Day of Orphans.

“In the capital for a long time is not limited to just finding a foster family,” — said Sobyanin.

According to him, the city is developing a family system, complementing it with new programs and services. Within the framework of the “Mentoring School”, psychologists will work with teenagers and potential mentors. They will help determine the needs of the child and the opportunities of the adult, find common interests that can become the basis of future friendship, and will accompany the participants at all stages of communication.

Another project, “Every child has his own family”, is aimed at selecting parents taking into account the individual characteristics and needs of children. Psychologists assess the needs of the child and the capabilities of adults, help organize their acquaintance. At the same time, minors are prepared in advance for life in a new family: specialists help them cope with the consequences of injuries, fears and doubts. Expectant parents are also supported to prepare for the birth of a child.

To find the most suitable families, electronic maps are formed - digital profiles, which are placed in a special closed section of the portal "My New Family". The service compares the information contained in them and selects the most compatible options. Thanks to this, specialists can take into account the characteristics of each child when choosing future parents.

City assistance continues after the child has a family. Adoptive parents are provided with benefits and payments, as well as professional support from psychologists, lawyers and family professionals. In addition, within the framework of the project, a personal manager is assigned to each family. He stays in touch with the parents and helps them resolve issues throughout the escort period.

The capital also implements the initiatives “Silver mentoring” and “Let’s make friends!”. As Sobyanin noted, these projects have become part of the culture of support for orphans and allow Muscovites to directly participate in their lives.

“Every family that gives children happiness and the opportunity to be loved is truly priceless,” he wrote.

He also thanked the people who shared their attention and warmth with the children.

In addition to the development of family programs, Moscow is spreading social support practices in other areas, said Yulia Tsukanova, a teacher at the simulation center of the department of labor and social protection of the population of the capital. In particular, the capital shares its experience in caring for the elderly and people with limited mobility with the regions. For specialists from other cities, six-day training lasting 10 academic hours a day was organized. The program includes practical skills in the safe movement of wards, the use of functional beds, lifts, verticalizers and wheelchairs, as well as creating a barrier-free environment.

Earlier, Sergei Sobyanin said that 154 students of the capital’s schools, studying in 8-10 grades, became winners of the All-Russian competition “Big Change”. Four more Muscovites received diplomas of winners. With this event, he congratulated the students.