Vasco Cordeiro announces creation of specialised service for children and young people
The President of the Government announced the creation of a specialised family care service. It will provide for the establishment of a group of Azorean families available to foster children and young people, thus avoiding their admission into temporary shelters.
"This specialised fostering service aimed at children and young people is something that the Regional Government wants to implement and may be also regarded as a challenge to our society on how we, as a People, can give this example of solidarity," said Vasco Cordeiro.
The President of the Government spoke Tuesday during a visit to the Temporary Shelter Centre run by Madre Maria Clara Social Work. It included the signing of a cooperation agreement to fund the expansion of the centre, being one the main points of the Government's programme on the first day of the statutory visit to Pico Island.
According to him, this family foster service involves the creation of a group of Azorean families who are available to foster children and young people in cases of legal decisions concerning the protection of minors.
"I believe this is an idea that can strengthen us as a Region and as a People", the President of the Government stressed, adding that this measure intends to take the role that temporary shelters already play in the Region to another level.
On the first day of the visit to Pico, Vasco Cordeiro also highlighted the role played by the Madre Maria Clara Social Work, which is an example of the several responses implemented throughout the archipelago in the area of social support.
"All these institutions deserve the Regional Government's recognition insofar as they have helped making the Azores what they are today. Despite the turmoil of the modern world, we are a land where we still find people and institutions willing to leave no one behind," said Vasco Cordeiro.