Armenia’s Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs wants to create a separate program designed to target assistance to young people aged 16-23 who either have disabilities or face socio-economic hardships.

The program, to be called “Towards an Independent Life”, will provide vocational and other training to those participating in the program to increase their capacity of living independtently in society.

The ministry, in a statement, says that orphanages, contrary to regulations, are still providing care for persons over 18 years old, with disabilities, lacking any skills and abilities, for whom living a life on their own is problematic.

As of this year, the ministry also plans to establish crisis support centers for children aged 0-18 who are in urgent need of immediate placement. They will operate in Yerevan, Gyumri and Kapan.

Care for children in these centers will be provided for a maximum of six months.

At the same time, professional work will be done, with both the child and the family, to ensure that children are returned to their biological family. If this is not possible, the child will be placed in foster care.

If it is necessary to remove the child from the biological family setting, care for children 0-3 years of age will be arranged in a foster family or crisis support center.

Top photo: Handicrafts by Spitak Care Center residents