Foster Care
&
Professional Foster Care

Because every child deserves more than care.
They deserve a family.

Every child deserves to grow up in a home, in a family, within an environment of care, love, and stability

Institutions cannot replace the daily human connection, the sense of belonging, and the personal care that every child needs to develop. Institutions are not the solution.

Deinstitutionalization is the transition from long-term institutional care to care forms based on family and community. At the same time, the development of community-based services to support vulnerable families and to address the biological, psychological, educational, recreational, and medical needs of vulnerable populations is required.

The goal is for children to grow up and live in conditions that respect their rights, dignity, and needs.

Foster Care

One of the most important practices for both preventing and addressing institutionalization is foster care. Foster care is a form of family-based care where a child is temporarily placed with a family when their biological family is unable, for a period of time, to care for them. The foster family provides daily care, stability, and support, while efforts are made to reunite the child with their biological family whenever possible.

Professional Foster Care

A more specialized form of foster care is professional foster care. This involves foster parents who are trained and systematically supported to care for children with higher needs, such as disabled children. Professional foster care is a critical tool to ensure that children who might otherwise end up in institutions can grow up in a family environment.

Strengthening foster care and professional foster care is a key step in preventing institutionalization and in gradually transitioning to a care system based on family and community.

Learn more about foster care and professional foster care in Greece