Community Level Access to Social Services (CLASS) Project Quarterly Progress Report

The project aims to strengthen Armenia's social protection system through community-based social work and improve the lives of vulnerable children and their families in all communities in ten regions and Yerevan. The project's three main objectives are to establish community-based social workers within local government, enhance communities' ability to identify, prevent, and address social issues, and support the psychosocial recovery and build resilience of women affected by conflict. To achieve the first objective, the project supports the adoption and enforcement of legislation regulating community social workers' positions and promotes the establishment of sustainable mechanisms for capacity building and integration into local self-government. During the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2024, CLASS successfully completed educational component activities aimed at raising awareness about violence against children among school staff, Community Social Workers, and children. The project conducted a final evaluation to assess the effectiveness of these activities and documented achievements and challenges. In response to the crisis caused by Azerbaijan in September 2023, CLASS continued its trainings on the prevention of psychological and emotional burnout for Community Social Workers, equipping them with specialized techniques and tools to assist traumatized individuals while safeguarding against their own emotional burnout. The supervision manual, endorsed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and printed during the previous quarter, was produced in greater quantities based on feedback from the Yerevan Municipality and Marzpetarans. This manual aims to facilitate a conducive atmosphere for reflection, inquiry, and guidance and has been incorporated into the draft law on Social Assistance. The Disaster Risk Reduction National Platform Foundation continued proactive engagement in the development of DRR plans in different communities, leading to the finalization and approval of a plan for the Meghri community. Within the framework of the Women, Peace, Security component, a training was organized for Community Social Workers of Lori and Shirak regions on providing psychological first aid and preventing emotional burnout. The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has officially circulated the triage model developed within the program framework, which has been announced as a useful tool for social workers. The project will continue to support Community Social Workers through ongoing trainings and individual and group consultations, providing essential supervisory services. The CLASS project has made significant progress in achieving its objectives, including the establishment of community-based social workers, enhancement of communities' ability to identify and address social issues, and support for the psychosocial recovery and build resilience of women affected by conflict. The project's activities have been well-received by stakeholders, including the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the Yerevan Municipality, and Marzpetarans. The project's supervision manual has been endorsed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and has been incorporated into the draft law on Social Assistance. The CLASS project has also made significant progress in the development of DRR plans in different communities, leading to the finalization and approval of a plan for the Meghri community. The project's Women, Peace, Security component has organized a training for Community Social Workers of Lori and Shirak regions on providing psychological first aid and preventing emotional burnout. The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has officially circulated the triage model developed within the program framework, which has been announced as a useful tool for social workers. Overall, the CLASS project has made significant progress in achieving its objectives and has been well-received by stakeholders. The project's activities have been effective in strengthening Armenia's social protection system and improving the lives of vulnerable children and their families. The project will continue to support Community Social Workers through ongoing trainings and individual and group consultations, providing essential supervisory services.