On April 23, 2025, a conference focusing on early intervention was held in Odessa. Representatives from local authorities, healthcare institutions, social services, psychologists, and parents of children receiving assistance in this area participated in the event.
The conference was opened by the Mayor of Odessa, Gennadiy Trukhanov, who emphasized that the city is actively developing a comprehensive support system for children with developmental challenges and their families.
«Early intervention is a partnership with families. Specialists provide support during difficult times and help organize daily life. The main goal is to ensure a happy childhood and opportunities for self-realization. This is a crucial part of the city's efforts to create a barrier-free environment in Odessa for all residents,» said Gennadiy Trukhanov.
Early intervention is a comprehensive service provided to families raising children with developmental disabilities or at risk of such disabilities at an early age.
This service allows for the timely identification of developmental issues in children and creates conditions for their correction and adaptation to society.
Odessa was one of the first cities to join the pilot project of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine «Creating a System of Early Intervention Services to Ensure Child Development». Currently, this service is included in the Municipal Target Program «Barrier-Free Odessa».
The Health Department of Odessa has implemented developmental screenings for children under three years old at all city pediatric clinics and the Children's Consulting and Diagnostic Center named after academician B.Ya. Reznik.
In 2024, screenings were conducted for 10,396 children, allowing for the identification of developmental issues in 1,279 children, of whom 512 were referred for early intervention services.
Early intervention centers operate in four children's medical facilities. In 2024, 197 families were under the supervision of early intervention specialists, with all children showing positive developmental dynamics.
Last year, multidisciplinary teams conducted 1,713 interactions with families, including 349 home visits, 705 online meetings, and 659 outpatient visits.
Considering the growing demand for the service, further development of the early intervention center network is planned for 2025, aiming to assist 350 families.
For the first time in 2025, the Municipal Target Program «Barrier-Free Odessa» will include salaries for early intervention team members.
The program also plans to conduct educational events for members of multidisciplinary teams, parents, medical and social workers, as well as initiatives to raise public awareness about the accessibility of early intervention services in Odessa.