Helping Families Cope with Stress and Build Gentle Relationships

Over 200 refugee and local families in Chișinău, as well as the districts of Căușeni and Ștefan Vodă, benefit from a parental education program. Both parents and children participate in the “Parental Education Program for Families Displaced by the War in Ukraine,” developed by the NGO “Partnerships for Every Child” (PPCF). The program’s courses and activities are part of the project “Integrated Humanitarian Response in Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, and Romania for Ukrainians and Third-Country Nationals Affected by Conflict,” funded by the German Federal Foreign Office through Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) and implemented by APSCF in partnership with five NGOs in Moldova, including PPCF.

A Program for Responsive and Sensitive Parenting

The “Parental Education Program for Families Displaced by the War in Ukraine” is a two-day course structured into four sessions for parents, including joint parent-child sessions. These sessions aim to reduce stress and ensure parents’ well-being, encourage responsive and sensitive parenting, and support families in strengthening their relationships and spending more time together in a supportive and enjoyable environment. The program also includes activities parents can try at home and encourages group participants to stay connected between sessions and after the program ends to create a support group.

More Trainers, More Beneficiaries

To reach as many beneficiaries as possible, PPCF has organized several training sessions for specialists who implement the program. Since December 2023, 20 teachers and social workers from the three mentioned regions have benefited from training. These future practitioners will carry out the program in their localities, thus supporting displaced families and strengthening positive relationships with their children.

“This unique program has helped improve the well-being of families and strengthen relationships between parents, grandparents, and children who are experiencing stress and often cannot cope with their problems alone. As we approach the end of the project, we aim to increase the number of trained practitioners to multiply good practices and allow more children and parents to benefit from the program even after the project ends, considering the high number of requests from participants.”

More Receptive and United Families

The program was carried out in the Republic of Moldova from December 2023 to June 2024. Through this program, 250 displaced and local families were supported, including approximately 400 children and 250 parents from Chișinău municipality and the districts of Căușeni and Ștefan Vodă. Parents are encouraged to take care of their emotional and psychological well-being, learn ways to care for their children in crisis situations, and help their children understand their emotions. The program fosters the development of responsive relationships between parent and child.

“Partnerships for Every Child” is one of the five NGOs developing and implementing programs and activities for refugees and locals as part of the project “Integrated Humanitarian Response in Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, and Romania for Ukrainians and Third-Country Nationals Affected by Conflict,” funded by the German Federal Foreign Office through Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) and implemented by APSCF.