Final evaluation of the Future of Romania (FOR) Children Project (7/92-11/96), designed to reduce child abandonment and unnecessary institutionalization of children. The project was implemented by Holt International (HI). HI’s International Children’s Services used both a development (capacity building) and a modeling (demonstration) approach in implementing the FOR Children project. Due to the paucity of trained social assistants in Romania in 1992, Holt initiated a program to train Social Assistants in local Romanian child-welfare institutions to provide direct services to children at risk of abandonment according to professional standards of social work practice. Efforts were made to network within the greater social welfare community in Romania and to share experience gained and lessons learned over the life of the project. Special emphasis was placed on strengthening cooperation with and support to the European Commission’s PHARE Child Protection Project, UNICEF, and other NGO programs offering services to children and families. To date, over 3,500 children have been served. New concepts in permanency planning for homeless children have been modeled and innovative social services demonstrated. These services include: temporary foster care, domestic adoption, support to families with HIV+ children, foster care for HIV+ children, shelter care, support to mothers at risk of abandoning their children, and pregnancy counseling. One of the objectives of HI has been to create a Romanian NGO. Holt Romania’s strength lies in its human resources and the quality of its service delivery. The program staff of Holt are dedicated, hardworking individuals who bring enthusiasm and commitment to the families and children with whom they work. Their individual and collective efforts have enabled Holt to establish a reputation among clients and in the community as leaders in assisting children and families in difficult circumstances. Lessons learned are as follows: (1) PVOs engaged in capacity-building activities in Romania are playing a significant role in building civil society in the country. (2) Combining a development with a modeling approach has been very successful in prevention and permanency planning activities in Romania. Such efforts should now be replicated at the district level across sectors and should involve as many governmental and nongovernmental entities as possible. (3) The impact of the political and economic changes in Romania are having unanticipated social repercussions. Adequate time and resources must be made available to make the necessary modifications and to reallocate or develop the material and human resources required to make the transition to a democratic society with a free-market economy. (5) Due to the past isolation of Romanian professionals and decisionmakers, pilot projects may play a greater role in Romania than in other parts of the world. Models adapted to the local context and particular needs demonstrate the feasibility of certain innovative approaches. Exposure to practices in other countries can also convey new ideas and methods. Given the low level of education among the population, adoptions are easily made when coupled with the motivation to make the changes. (6) Although continued advocacy with those who resist reform is needed, donors should give greater emphasis to identifying and backing individuals and institutions committed to and working toward change for families and children. Such a strategy presupposes increased collaboration with grassroots, NGO, and private groups as well as selected government programs. (7) Collaborative projects are facilitated at the outset if partners clarify roles, responsibilities, and lines of authority and establish collaborative mechanisms for communication and decisionmaking. (8) Projects will meet their objectives and facilitate broader systemic change only when they understand and build upon the local system and its context. (Author abstract, modified)
