The “Develooping Gate-keeping System and Services” project was designed by EveryChild in 2006-2007 to support the reform of the child care system and strengthen gate keeping as a fundamental mechanism of the deinstitutionalisation process in Georgia.

With financial support of UNICEF and Eurasia Foundation and close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia the project proposed development and strengthening relevant government systems and structures, ensuring multisectoral collaboration, establishing efficient emergency care services and supporting further development of other basic childcare alternatives in two pilot sites of Rustavi city (Small Group Home; Day Care Center) and Tianeti Rayon (Day Care Center).

Tianeti Day Care Center

Tianeti Day Care Centre was established in 2006 as a response to the closure of the Tianeti boarding school for children without parental care.

The centre provides support to 52 children from vulnerable families and facilitates development of high standard social services at the local level.

The purpose of the centre is to encourage family and community participation in ensuring the well-being of children and provide friendly environment and adequate support for their education and development.

The beneficiaries of the centre are offered four programme areas:

• Children/youth development
• Academic support and enhancement
• Parents involvement and family support
• Community building

Apart from direct beneficiaries the center undertakes child centered approach within the wider community systems. Community council of the center, composed of local stakeholders, serves as one of the main segments of the centre and offers local programs and assets that are relevant for child welfare, with special emphasys on child protection.

Rustavi Small Group Home

Rustavi Small Group Home provides substitue family care to 8 former residents of Rustavi State Child Care Institution, placed in the service from 2007. The children from age of 6 to 18 are offered safe and loving family environment with 24 hour care provided by houseparents (during week days) and two replacing parents (on week-ends) The service also provides 1 emergency place for children who are in need of temporary care due to family problems or crises.

At Small Group Home children receive individual care and attention and their rights are fully protected. They are promoted to develop physical, emotional, social and intellectual needs and participate in social and recreational activities. The service gives chilren oportunity to acquire and develop life skills and professional abilities which in the future would enable them to establish personal goals and fully develop their potential.

Rustavi Day Care Center

In response to the identified community needs in Rustavi City, EveryChild assisted the government of Georgia in transforming Rustavi State Orphanage into the family type institution with daycare component and family support programs.

With the capacity of 50 beneficiary children in total, including children from residential part of the Orphanage (those children who at this stage could not be placed at other alternative child care services) and 8 beneficiaries of Small Group Home, Rustavi Day Care Centre operates through four main program areas:

• Children/youth development
• Academic support and enhancement
• Parents involvement and family support
• Community building

The purpose of the centre is to facilitate development of strong community at the local level and encourage family and community participation in ensuring the well-being of children.

During the day time the centrel provides socially vulnerable children with friendly environment and adequate support for their education and development.