President and the First Lady took a tour of the Centre and facilities reconstructed in scope of a project launched in late 2018. Two large, modern and comfortable flats were reconstructed in scope of the project. To provide family-like, loving, trusting and mutually supporting environment that facilitates child’s development, each flat is a home to three children and a ‘mum’. If project is successful, this family-based care model will be implemented by other state social care centres for children.
After the tour, Egils Levits and Andra Levite discussed the current priorities of the sector with the staff of institutions and families raising children with disabilities. Main topics of discussion included adoption procedures, infrastructure development and environmental accessibility, public attitude and role of government in improving the system.
After listening to various views and experiences, President Levits underlined that ‘Latvia lacks coherent institutional response and all issues are addressed at a sectoral level instead of horizontal and cross-institutional level’.
‘We need to change the governance model to be able to offer better social care. We need to link all sectors together. Education, economy, finance, welfare and others. Issues should not be tackled by single authorities. We need integrated, long-term solutions to problems. We need a clear vision of where we want to be and what steps we need to take. We do not have that vision. That is why system cannot change,’ said President Levits.
Participants of the discussion also agreed that further efforts to change the attitude of the society towards greater solidarity are needed. To build a modern and sustainable Latvia, everyone living here must be included and equally appreciated.
