New care homes to open for children with disabilities under state care

The Georgian Government, international organisations and the business sector are joining their efforts to develop better services for children with disabilities under state care.

Georgia’s Health Ministry announced a new family type small-scale alternative care facility will be established in capital Tbilisi by the end of 2016.

The facility will be adapted and fully adjusted to meet the needs of children with disabilities.

The small-scale alternative care facility will accommodate the children who are currently under state care and reside in the Tbilisi Infant House.

The project was supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

Meanwhile the initiative was joined by the M2 Real Estate developer which committed to fund construction of another small-scale alternative care facility for children with disabilities.

M2 will fully cover the construction costs and the second small-scale alternative care facility will open in early 2107.

UNICEF Georgia said the establishment of two small scale alternative care facilities would allow the Georgian Government to expand the alternative services for children with disabilities and end use of institutional care for these children.

To date 59 children with severe and profound disabilities reside in the Tbilisi Infant House.