Government of the Azores extends programme designed to reinforce parental skills and emotional ties
The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity announced today in Ponta Delgada that the Regional Government will reinforce the "Vinca" programme on the island of São Miguel and extend implementation to the islands of Terceira and Faial.
"It is with great pleasure that I announce that the "Vinca" programme will be reinforced on São Miguel and extended to the islands of Faial and Terceira in September," said Andreia Cardoso. This project aims to promote the development of emotional ties in children with promotion and protection measures applied by the Court of Family and Children and the Commission for Protection of Children and Youth.
"Vinca" covers children up to six years of age and their families. This programme works to strengthen parental skills in the areas of emotional interaction and sensitivity with the basic needs of children, behaviour management, definition of limits and well-being, and mobilisation of resources. It will allow families to approach children and prevent emotional distancing; the latter causes irreparable damage to establishment of ties.
Andreia Cardoso spoke at the opening of the building that will house the Family Therapy and Systemic Intervention Centre, an investment of 730 thousand Euros. Promoted by the Government of the Azores, it intended to create an integrated solution that combines all the intervention actions carried out by the institution in a single building, ensuring a better use of spaces for therapy. It has several offices, a training room and a playground in the outdoor area.
This opening falls within a wide range of initiatives promoted by the Government of the Azores to mark the International Family Day, raising the awareness of the community for the need and importance of ensuring the healthy involvement of family in the daily life of children.
The initiatives promoted in this area include the Meeting of Family and Parental Education Groups, already in its 7th edition. The initiative involved the participation of 17 partner entities and about 200 children, parents and caregivers who attended the Parental education programmes "More Family, More Children" and "In Search of the Treasure of Families" and "Stronger Parents."
On the same day, Andreia Cardoso also attended the opening of Coopera+ Fair, an initiative developed in partnership with the Nossa Senhora da Oliveira Social and Parish Centre and Cecília Meireles Elementary School and Kindergarten with the aim of raising the awareness for parental responsibility in the school path and emotional development of children.
"The investment made in the development of infrastructures, training and reinforcement of human resources in the Region as well as in innovative and transdisciplinary projects directed to youngsters and their families and to caregivers has been our main priority," said Andreia Cardoso.