乌克兰孤儿院体系【英文】

U.S. – Ukraine Foundation, Washington D.C.

CASE STUDY OF UKRAINIAN ORPHANAGE SYSTEM: MYTHS AND REALITYAugust, 26 2009 Darya Trushkina

IntroductionA child temporarily or permanently deprived of his or her family environment, or in whose own best interests cannot be allowed to remain in that environment, shall be entitled to special protection and assistance provided by the State (Article, 20 United Nations Convention of Rights of the Child) Orphan – a child, under age of 18, who has no alive biological parents. Social orphan – a child, under age of 18, who has one or both biological parents alive, but who are unable to provide necessary care for a child and who’s parental rights have been terminated.

Reasons for placing child in care: “… poverty, unemployment, alcoholism and drug abuse are leading reasons why parents [in Ukraine] abandon their children – many of whom arrive at the facilities without any documents at all.” (UNICEF, Degun 2007).

SOME FACTS Approximately 103,000 children live in Ukrainian orphanages/children homes and baby homes; Approximately 50,000 children live on the streets; Only 9,000 of those children are biological orphans; More than 90,000 children are “social orphans”; Approximately 60% increase over last 10 years;

Almost 80% of orphans/abandoned children end up in prisons,prostitution or become a criminal; Almost 10% of orphans/abandoned children commit suicide before age of 21; Only 10% of orphans/abandoned children graduate from Universities/ colleges/ professional schools; Only 27% of orphans will find job after graduation from orphanage.

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According to Administration of President of Ukraine, Annual Report – 2006

SOME FACTS Every year, more than 2,000 mothers abandon their babies in maternity hospitals. Many social orphans have experienced abuse and violence from parents. Many children run away from orphanages, preferring to live on the street. Every year about 1,500 orphans leave orphanage system in Ukraine. Usually children who graduate from orphanages at age of 18, are turned out, unprepared for life outside an orphanage…….

STATE ORPHANAGE SYSTEM IN UKRAINEMinistry of Health of Ukraine Ministry of Education and Science Baby Homes (0-3)

Children Homes (3-7) Ministry of Family, Youth and Sport

State institutions for children are financed based on cost-sharing principle: - State budget; - Region budget; - Local budget.

Orphanages (7-18)

Key LegislationUnited Nations Convention of the Rights of a Child is ratified Policy regarding welfare of orphans and abandoned children Take a child to your home UNICEF – Ukrainian Ministry of Youth, Family and Sport Agreement Family Code Amendments

Constitution

Prevention of Domestic Violence in a Family Act Children's’ Safety Act

Financial Aid to Families in Need Act Domestic and Intercountry Adoption Act

1991

1996

2000

2002

2005

2006

2007

2007 – National Plan to Reform of Child Care System in Ukraine through the Development of Family Foster Care (International Project, Deadline 2017)

__________________________________________________________________ Census Bureau of Ukraine

Changes2003 – Orphans are qualified as “underprivileged category of students” and are eligible to receive stipend from government even if their grades are lower than average. 2004 – Ukraine imposes new flat tax rate (13%) on any donation over $95 per year. 2004 – adoption procedures become more complicated, which decrease overall inter country adoption rate significantly. 2005 – the law "On state aid to families with children“; Program “Take a Child into Your Home”; 2007 – National Orphanage System Reform Plan.

“Take a child into your home”This program was intended to encourage domestic adoptions. This policy was expected to be successful because:Approximately every fourth Ukrainian family cannot have their own children and approximately 20% of such families seriously consider adoption. This means the number potential adoptive parents in Ukraine equals approximately 2,500,000 families.

WHY UKRAINE STILL HAS ORPHANS?

“Take a child into your home”The Ukrainian government provides financial support (which usually is higher than the gross family’s income) to temporary or foster parents, but not to adoptive parents. The procedures for foster parents are faster and easier than for prospective adoptive parents. Children do not lose the status of a legal “orphan” when they live in foster family, but they do lose it when they are adopted. Foster parents have no strict responsibilities, but are able to control the status of children by giving (or usually not giving) permission to adopt the children they foster by third parties. There is almost no control of foster parents, except the requirement to provide an annual report to the State Department of Adoption and Protection of Child’s Rights, but there are strict requirements for adoptive parents to provide such reports more often.

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