On 22 July, 2015, a roundtable on “Systemic problems in state subprograms on reintegration and foster care and experience of social service” was held within the framework of “Strengthening of Public Defender's Center for Child's Rights” – a joint project of UNICEF and the Public Defender’s Office of Georgia.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Social Service Agency of the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Science, the United Nations Children's Fund, the Association of Social Workers, the Regional Council for Custody and Care of Tbilisi and non-governmental organizations working on the rights of beneficiaries involved in various foster care/reintegration subprograms, as well as social workers of regional centers of social service.

At the roundtable, Maia Gedevanishvili, Head of the Center for Child’s Rights of the Public Defender's Office, invited consultant Ia Shekriladze and project monitors Mariam Botchorishvili and Mariam Janiashvili presented reports on the legal regulation of state subprograms on reintegration and foster care, problems of implementation of the programs and the Public Defender’s monitoring instruments and mechanisms.

Mari Tsereteli, Head of the Department of Custody-Care and Social Programs of the Social Service Agency of the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs, presented draft standards on foster care. Discussion was held about the problems of access to social and psychological services, raising awareness among beneficiaries and other relevant issues.

Active discussion was held about the problems of effective practical implementation of the state subprograms on reintegration and foster care, gaps in regulation of the issue at the normative level, reforms of support services, timeliness of provision of alternative care for homeless children, introduction of training packages and registration of foster families, geographical coverage and service availability, necessity for promotion of the subprograms among the population and the needs of regional councils for custody/care.

The second roundtable on the mentioned issue will be held on 20 November 2015.