A Holistic Approach Enables People to Live in the Community

Community for All Moldova Program, together with the government at local and national level, takes a holistic approach to enabling people with intellectual disabilities to live in the community. In addition to supporting those moving out of institutions, the programme also offers comprehensive services to people at risk of institutionalisation. Keystone Moldova purchases from donor funds housing for those moving out of institutions who cannot go back to family homes. A maximum of six people live in each house, where they also benefit from the programme’s support services to help them live more independently.

Keystone Moldova works with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Protection to evaluate the needs of children, adults, and their families. Together, they map existing social services while setting up new ones, such as personal assistance, respite care, inclusive education, community homes, mobile teams, supported employment, and self-determination training. Progress of beneficiaries is then monitored, and adjustments are made as necessary. As of 2018, 100 people had moved out of institutions, with 40 living in seven houses provided by the project. Some 2,000 people are benefitting from new community-based services each year, and 2,625 have been trained in self-determination, including about 2,000 still living in institutions.