Poland

The mission of the Child and Family Foundation is to support children and families in crisis   undertaking activities and initiatives aimed at the strengthening of families and the prevention of separation of children from families – based on the interest of the child. The Foundation undertakes also activities aimed at the protection of child rights focusing on the right of the child to safe development in a family and its protection against violence.

The Department of General Sociology at the University of Lodz conducts research on the children welfare and the inter generational transmission of inequalities. The main research fields include child wellbeing, child poverty, children’s rights, social policies and social services for families and children.

The Polish Foster Care Coalition is a group of individuals from all over Poland representing local and nationwide non-governmental organisations. Their mission is to safeguard a child’s legal right to be brought up in a family environment. The Coalition mainly focuses on lowering the number of children placed in institutions, placing children who cannot be brought up by their biological parents in foster families, raising standards in foster care and breaking foster care stereotypes. It also provides support to former foster children and foster parents.

One World Association aims at improving the economic, social, educational and cultural situation of children and young people with disabilities and their families. They act by developing and strengthening natural interests and take care of the disabled children and their relatives.

Happy Kids Foundation is an NGO that creates and runs childcare centers of family type  each with up to 8 children. The Foundation commits to build relations with the biological families. It aims at raising the quality standard of foster care in Poland and the awareness on this issue through social events, conferences and seminars. The Foundation provides the children with self-confidence and self-determination through professional parents who give them care and primarily education; it provides the children with financial and material assistance, training and courses.