DSWD6 holds consultation on home-based ECCD
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VI yesterday held a consultation on Home-Based ECCD (Early Childhood Care and Development) Program.
"We are doing this consultation to see to it that the standards that will be set for Home-based ECCD Program is applicable," stressed Delia Bawan, Assistant Bureau Director of the Standards Bureau of the DSWD Central Office who graced the activity. Also present were DSWD OIC Regional Director Teresita S. Rosales; Delilah Fuertes, Chief of the Standards Division-Central Office; Social Welfare Officer III Marlene Beringuel; and Perla Haro, head of Standards Unit-Region VI.
Home-based programs are services at the family level undertaken at home or in the neighborhood which include among others neighborhood-based play groups, Parent Effectiveness Service (PES), family day care programs or child-minding homes, parent education and home visiting programs.
Parent Effectiveness Services (PES) mainly utilizes a strategy in reaching out to parents through the organized Parents Committee or PES volunteers providing them an opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills on early childhood care and development and other child rearing practices. Through this approach young children are provided a nurturing and stimulating home environment that promote the holistic growth and development. It compliments the center-based ECCD program as a follow through activities for children in the home.
Its basic principles consist of: parenting is a tremendous responsibility; parenting is learned; parents are important in the rearing of children; and they have the obligation to promote their child's well-being.
While these programs have commonality in approaches, there are also difference in terms of focus, program management and administration, physical structures and safety.
In view of varying concepts and understanding on the nature, characteristics and helping strategies/approaches on home-based ECCD, there is a need to develop common parameters as basis for setting standards and compliance monitoring particularly for those that are focused on children as direct beneficiaries.
The Standards Bureau of the DSWD sets parameters to enable stakeholders and intermediaries to deliver quality social welfare services, as well as promote and protect the social well-being of the poor.
These standards are strictly observed and applied to all public and private social work agencies, service providers and DSWD-managed residential and center-based facilities. The Standards Bureau and Field Offices monitor compliance to these standards through the issuance of registration, licensing and accreditation certificates.
Before a set of standard is approved, at least five regional consultation is conducted to check if this is doable and viable.
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