Ex-Yugoslavia was a country with developed system of foster care. In the second half of twentieth century, foster care system and institutional system were equally represented in child protection system. After the war in former Yugoslavia, foster care, as other fields of life was in crisis and large number of children was placed in institutions. Then, it was about 4000 children in institutions and something more than 1000 in foster care. At the beginning of 2000 and following years especially in 2005, there was very intensive process of finding ways to develop foster care again. Serbia invested great efforts to develop quality system of taking care of children through foster care.
Beside the efforts to develop national practice, Ministry for social affairs decided to implement PRIDE Model of Practice as a practice in foster parenting with high references which provides qualified foster parents and good results in practice related to wellbeing of children. Process of implementation of PRIDE Model of Practice started in 2007. The transfer of knowledge came in Serbia through Association of professionals for children and family support “FICE Srbija”. Implementation of the program was provided through MATRA grant (Dutch Ministry for Foreign affairs). Results of first training, which was held by Mr. Rob van Pagee (OKS Foundation Netherlands) were: 60 PRIDE trainers and 421 trained families. “FICE Srbija” accredited training program in Serbia in 2008, and still is the only authorized organization for implementation of the PRIDE Model of Practice in Serbia.
Today in Serbia, we have more than 7500 children who are not living with their parents. About 6000 are in foster care in a little bit more than 4300 families. Process of increasing representation of foster care as a dominant way of child protection is 10% per year. Also, 35 PRIDE trainers for foster parents are still active in implementing PRIDE program. Some of trainers changed job, left the social care system, or are not involved in the process of foster care. Trainings for foster parents are held continuously and for instance in last two years 83 families are assessed and chosen to be foster parents.
In period of 2009 until 2014, several centers for foster care and adoption were established, and there are several which are preparing to be open. They are familiar with the PRIDE program and showed need and interest for new round of PRIDE training for trainers. At the moment foster care professionals are using PRIDE program and program called “Safe steps towards foster parenting” in assessment and training of the foster parents. Beside pre service and family assessment PRIDE program professionals are using in service modules especially MODUL ONE which is processed in several sessions. When it comes to the PRIDE steps in use is step number 8, as well as other steps from 9 to 14, but modified (related to national procedures). PRIDE Model of Practice influenced strongly at the process of creation of standards for foster care in Serbia. It especially indicated the significance of continuous in service support to foster parents. Of course, related to assessment in general as well as self-assessment PRIDE Model of Practice changed the point of view about foster parents as partners in the process of taking care.
PRIDE program, professionals in Serbia need and appreciate because it provides mutual frame of understanding the children and family’s needs, and empowers them. It goals, principles, and terminology are becoming a base for whole foster care system. Other professionals and other foster parents who were not trained according to PRIDE step by step retrieve concept, terminology, and the model of understanding the process and mutual influences from the people who are trained in PRIDE spirit. In the last seven years of practice we could not see any problem except the fact that it is more demanding and requires commitment, time and professionalism. Now it for sure necessary to train more trainers and we hope that we shall make it possible.
Master PRIDE trainer – Ċ½eljka Burgund, President of FICE Srbija, zeljka.burgund@sbb.rs