Completed Projects
Along with the ongoing work with children and parents, the Karin Dom Foundation has successfully completed a considerable number of projects, funded by the EU Phare Programme, as well as by British, Japanese and other international and local municipal programmes. Here are some of the projects in chronological order:
«Montessori therapy for children with special needs»
The project objective is to refresh and enrich the professional knowledge of 6 specialists from Karin Dom in the field of Montessori therapy through attending a training in working environment organized by the University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam – our project partner organization. The project aims also at improving the skills of the specialists as trainers and special teachers of the Montessori therapy method.
The expected result is quality mobility that advances the direct individual work with the children with special needs and the group and multidisciplinary sessions and training practices hold at the Center.
Activities:
Preparation of the selected 6 specialists from the Karin Dom Team for the Mobility: attending course for improving the English language knowledge in the field of Montessori therapy and intercultural preparation for the mobility in the Netherlands;
Financed by: Human Resources Development Center, Lifelong Learning Programme, sector programme Mobility - Leonardo Da Vinci
Implementation period: 12/2009 - 04/2010
CREATIVE COLLABORATION - Partnership in the Arts
MAD – Mixed Ability Dance
Lead partner: StopGAP Dance Company - UK
Art forms involved: Dance
Countries involved: UK, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania
Secondary partners:
Little People, Romania
Karin dom Foundation, Bulgaria
Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sport, Albania
Project Description:
A multi-country training programme, conference event and performance in Romania, and country-based residencies introducing Integrated Dance to Romania, Bulgaria and Albania. MAD will develop a network for intercultural dialogue, using dance as tool for promoting inclusion of disabled people in society. The project aims to leave a legacy of trained professionals who can pass on their skills to other disability and dance professionals in their country, setting up satellite community dance groups at their base and sharing and reviewing peer learning experiences through the network across country borders.
Contact information for further details on project: info@stopgap.uk.com
Best practices for early intervention for children with mental disabilities
The main objective of the project is to provide quality services to children with special needs from their earliest age and to their families in order to prevent children from being abandoned in institutions and to promote their successful inclusion into the life of the community.
The specific objective is to disseminate good practice by providing training and consultations in techniques for early intervention to professionals and parents of children with mental disabilities all over the country, adhering to the international standards.
Activities:
1) studying the interest and the necessity of holding trainings for different techniques in the region of Varna and other regions in Bulgaria; defining and setting up the target groups (parents, specialists);
2) training of trainers and specialists from Karin Dom (trainings held by international trainers and local consultants);
3) holding specialized trainings for therapists and specialists from the region of Varna and other regions in the country in the therapy techniques for early intervention;
4) preparing, publishing and distribution of “Manual for Trainers”.
Financed by: Open Society Institute
Implementation period: 02/2009 - 09/2009
2006/2007 - Norwegian Garden
Creating a garden with an eco-hut for the children – financed by the Norwegian Embassy in Bulgaria.
2008 - Best practices for early intervention for children with mental disabilities
Project description: To acquire knowledge on the following techniques for early
intervention: method for alternative communication, TEACH and sensory stimulation. To train trainers and to cascade the training to the parents NGO community in the region.
Stages:
1) Three 5 days sessions led by international consultants on TEACH, alternative communication method and sensory stimulation method. The target groups - all members of Karin Dom team.
2) Train the trainers. Selection of trainers /mixed group of therapists from Karin Dom and parents/ preparation for cascading of the trainings to the NGO parents organization in the region and delivering the training.
3) Delivering of the training for the selected techniques to the parents from Karin Dom and Varna, Dobrich and Shumen NGO parents organizations.
Financed by: Open Society Institute
Implementation Period: 6 months - 03.2008 - 09.2008
2005/2007 - CONTIEMPO CONtinuous Training for Innovation and EMPOwerment
A two-year pilot project, funded by the Leonardo da Vinci Programme of the European Commission. Project Partners: 8 European NGOs. Innovative approach (“Accelerated Learning”) to training for trainers and for frontline staff, supporting people with intellectual disabilities. The training courses are based on the values of inclusion, empowerment and the right to a quality of life for disabled service users and the empowerment of staff themselves.
For more information please visit the Project’s Webpage www.contiempo.info
2004/2006 Future for All
Introducing a structured programme for children with communicative problems and more specifically for children with autism, including PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), to overcome social isolation and help social inclusion.
A 10-month Training Project whereby Karin Dom worked with staff from two daycare centres and one residential institution for children with mental problems.
2004/05/06 - Happy Summer
Social integration of children and young people with physical disabilities, learning and mental disorders. Group activities for children and young people with physical and mental disabilities at the age of 7 to 24 years with the participation of pupils from mainstream schools: musical games, art classes, visits to museums, to the rail way station, bus station, airport, pony riding, eco-programme – eco patrol and visits to Eco Park, zoo, terrarium, dolphinarium.
2004 -Training for Professionals to open the First Daycare Centre for Children with Disabilities in Bjelo Polje, Montenegro
Needs Assessment and two Training Modules – one in Bjelo Polje, Montenegro and one at Karin Dom in Varna.
2004 - Equal Opportunities
Teaching social skills in children with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) from an early age and preparatory work for successful integration in kindergartens and schools.
2003 - Training for Professionals in Skopje, Macedonia
Training for Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists and parents in Skopje on feeding, drinking, breathing and salivation control.