According to the Public Relations and International Affairs Office, the key programs and plans of the Office of Care and Empowerment for Children and Adolescents of the State Welfare Organization of Iran have been announced. These programs are designed to improve the quality of care, reduce social harms, empower children under guardianship, and establish standardized structures in the care sector.
1. Foundational and Developmental Programs in the Field of Care
The Office of Care and Empowerment has designed and developed a set of fundamental initiatives, the most important of which include:
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Future Investment Support Plan for Children: Establishing a sustainable financial foundation for children under guardianship on the path to independence.
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Comprehensive Care and Transition Guide: Standardizing the preparation, entry, and post-transition processes for youth approaching independence.
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Educational System and Guidelines for Cultural, Artistic, Educational, and Sports Activities: Developing holistic growth programs emphasizing mental health, communication skills, and self-care.
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Child and Family Support Centers: Reducing the need for residential care and strengthening family foundations through specialized, supportive, and educational services.
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Daycare Centers: Providing daily care for 7–13% of children eligible to return to their families, reducing harms associated with overnight residential care.
2. Development of Specialized Systems and Standards
To enhance the care system, the following actions have been undertaken:
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Comprehensive Child Database: Based on Article 44 of the Temporary Care Guidelines, this system is being finalized to consolidate information, monitor conditions, and enable data-driven planning.
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Social Services Referral System: A structure to reduce client confusion, improve service quality, and integrate processes nationwide.
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Guidelines for Ranking and Standardizing Residential Centers: To assess and improve the quality of child and adolescent homes.
3. Specialized Medium-Term (Transitional) Centers
The Office has developed guidelines for transitional centers, serving as an intermediate step between crisis and discharge. These centers provide specialized rehabilitation for children over 6–9 months, offering psychosocial interventions to prevent the continuation of harm and facilitate the controlled, sustainable return of children to their families or society.
4. Programs for Adolescents Over 15 Years
In 1404 (2025), special focus has been placed on the professional empowerment of adolescents:
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Professional Skills Enhancement Guide: Outlines training, needs assessment, vocational education, empowerment of adolescents with emotional or mood disorders, and specialized supervision.
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Transition Mentorship Program: A national plan to train specialized personnel to support adolescents through their path to independence. This program is currently in the pilot phase with UNICEF cooperation.
5. Programs to Address Threats and Special Conditions
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Guidelines for Care During Wartime: Including instructions for caring for children in nurseries, care centers, and foster families during crises.
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Assessment Tools for Independent Youth: To scientifically evaluate the status of youth post-transition and plan necessary interventions.
6. Innovative Supportive Initiatives
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“Kind Embrace” Program: Connecting volunteer seniors with children in residential centers to enhance mental health, reduce loneliness, and strengthen social capital.
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45% Increase in Financial Support for Independent Living: Strengthening financial stability and reducing vulnerabilities for youth after leaving care centers.
7. Development of a Comprehensive Care and Empowerment Document
This document, now 50% complete, will serve as the national roadmap for the care and development of children under guardianship, encompassing vision, values, mission, objectives, and a national monitoring and evaluation framework.
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