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Changes in Adoption and Foster Care Payments in Ukraine

Overview of Upcoming Changes

• Starting January 1, 2026, Ukraine will increase payments to foster families and parents of family-type children's homes. The state is adopting a "money follows the child" formula.

• The new payment structure includes 2 living minimums for the first child in a family and 1.5 for each subsequent child, with higher amounts for children with disabilities.

Current State of Adoption During War

• There are pressing questions about how adoption works during wartime, including whether interest in fostering has increased or decreased.

• Concerns exist regarding state control to prevent exploitation of children by foster parents who receive financial support.

Financial Challenges Faced by Foster Families

• Recent research indicates that current state assistance only covers 51% of children's needs, leaving significant gaps (49%) that must be met through other means.

• Essential needs include education, clothing, and household items; many foster homes require repairs and additional furniture.

Perceptions and Stereotypes Surrounding Foster Care

• There is a stigma associated with foster parenting as some believe it is merely a way to profit from children. This perception can deter potential foster parents.

• The economic situation exacerbates challenges faced by foster families due to rising costs amid ongoing conflict.

Impact on Children Without Parental Care

• A reduction in willing foster families leads to more children being placed in institutional care settings, which negatively impacts their psychological well-being.

• Many prospective adoptive parents prefer healthier children, making it difficult for those from institutions—often facing various issues—to find homes.

Understanding Different Child Care Terms

Definitions of Key Terms

• Adoption occurs through court decisions where the child gains full rights as a biological member of the adoptive family after legal proceedings are finalized.

Types of Family-Based Care

• Foster care involves temporary arrangements often made by relatives when biological parents lose custody or pass away.

• Guardianship typically involves relatives taking responsibility for a child's upbringing under specific legal frameworks.

This structured overview captures key insights from the transcript while providing timestamps for easy reference.

Overview of Family Care Systems for Children

Types of Family Care

• The discussion begins with the context of family support, highlighting that guardians do not receive compensation for raising children. This often leads to quicker placements in care systems.

• A foster family is defined as one that takes in children who are orphans or deprived of parental care, typically ranging from one to five children. Foster parents receive compensation for their caregiving roles.

• Children maintain their status as orphans until they are legally adopted; thus, foster families and caregivers can adopt these children if desired.

• Foster parents receive social assistance for each child, ensuring that the children's social benefits remain intact while under their care.

• Larger foster families can take in between five to ten children, which is beneficial for keeping sibling groups together during placements.

Legal and Social Framework

• It is noted that individuals do not need to be married to become foster parents; single individuals can also provide care based on their resources and capabilities.

• The state may provide housing for foster parents, allowing them to use this accommodation while caring for the children without owning it outright.

Alternative Care Options

• The concept of "patronage families" is introduced as a service aimed at providing a family environment for children, preventing them from entering institutional care settings.

• Patronage aims to minimize trauma associated with removing a child from their biological family by placing them in a familiar environment where they can continue attending local schools and maintaining community ties.

Challenges and Needs

• There is an ongoing shortage of patronage families due to increasing numbers of orphaned children resulting from various crises, including war-related casualties and accidents affecting parents.

• The discussion highlights the urgent need for alternative family structures as many children will inevitably require such services due to complex life circumstances faced by their biological families.

Special Considerations for Displaced Children

• Questions arise regarding procedures for integrating displaced children from conflict zones into Ukrainian society. Various organizations work collaboratively on this issue under government programs aimed at facilitating these transitions.

• Typically, displaced children either return directly to familial care or enter educational institutions depending on individual circumstances managed by relevant authorities and organizations involved in child welfare.

Challenges and Changes in Child Reintegration and Adoption Procedures

Reintegration of Children from Temporary Occupation

• The practice typically involves returning children to family-based care rather than institutional settings, with preparation by charities or state organizations for foster families.

• There are significant challenges in reintegrating children who have experienced occupation or deportation compared to those without such experiences.

• Over 20,000 children remain under temporary occupation or deported; however, more than 500 have returned this year, indicating progress in Ukraine's efforts.

Adoption Procedures During Wartime

• Initially, adoption processes were halted for all citizens due to the war but have since resumed for Ukrainian citizens living in government-controlled areas and certain foreign relatives.

• International adoptions are currently suspended due to martial law; however, domestic adoption processes continue despite the challenging circumstances.

Innovations in Adoption Processes

• The introduction of electronic applications through a digital platform has improved the efficiency of the adoption process during wartime.

• Candidates can now interact with children before court decisions are made, reducing waiting times that previously caused trauma for children awaiting placement.

Community Involvement and Decentralization

• Responsibilities for creating foster families have shifted from regional child services to local communities as part of decentralization efforts.

• Some communities resist taking on these responsibilities despite potential benefits, leading to lost opportunities for candidates seeking to become foster parents.

Societal Support and Integration Strategies

• Inter-territorial arrangements allow for better integration of children into family-based care across different regions.

• Society is encouraged to avoid stereotypes about foster care and support families adopting children by fostering understanding rather than stigma.

Support for Orphaned Children and Foster Families

Importance of Avoiding Stereotypes

• Emphasizes the need to avoid stereotypes regarding orphaned children, advocating for support and understanding from the community.

• Suggests asking how one can help, such as offering assistance with children or engaging in educational activities like tutoring.

Integration of Orphaned Children into Society

• Highlights the importance of integrating orphaned children into schools and kindergartens, encouraging interaction with peers.

• Discusses challenges faced by foster parents who care for multiple orphaned children, including developmental issues stemming from trauma.

Role of Educators and Psychologists

• Advocates for training teachers on how to handle behavioral issues related to trauma in children.

• Encourages community members to contribute resources, such as funding extracurricular activities or providing gifts during holidays.

Supporting Foster Families

• Stresses that supporting foster families is crucial to prevent children from entering institutional care.

• Warns against generalizing negative perceptions about all foster families based on a few bad experiences; many provide loving homes.

Community Responsibility Towards All Children

• Calls for society to treat every child as their own, reinforcing the idea that there are no "other people's children."

• Concludes with a reminder that fostering a sense of responsibility towards all children is essential for societal well-being.