Two Day Workshop in Belgrade on the Transformation Process of Residential Institutions for the Mentally Disabled and Disordered

A two day workshop to discuss in detail the transformation process for the 13 Residential Institutions involved in the Open Arms project and to initiate the process of developing transformation plans for each institution was attended by more than 30 representatives from Residential Institutions. The workshop was held in Belgrade on July 16^th and 17^th 2013.

Dr Monika Gabanyi, the project Team Leader opened the workshop proceedings and held an introductory speech regarding the transformation process in Serbia. The first day of the workshop was devoted mainly on financial issues. Mr. George Boulton, Senior Expert in Finance presented a summary baseline analysis of 2012 financial data from all social care institutions and in addition a flow of funds model regarding the current financial mechanisms for Residential Institutions, Community Based Social Services and Psychiatric Services in Serbia. The afternoon session continued with financial issues discussion and was concluded with personnel and manpower issues under the guidance of Ms. Ivana Pupic, Senior Human Resources Expert.

Participants acknowledged that the process of transformation of institutions would take some time before all conditions would be in place at the national and local level for deinstitutionalization of persons with mental disorders and disabilities. In addition they argued that there were both long term and short term financing and resource issues that had to be addressed during the planning process. Mr. Boulton stressed that the overriding consideration throughout the transformation process was the principle of social inclusion and all plans need to be coasted against this principle.

Both during the first day and the second day of the workshop, under the guidance of Dr. Jan Pfeiffer, Senior Expert in Psychiatry and Miroslav Brkic, Senior Social Inclusion Expert, discussion was focused on possible methods and strategies to initiate and sustain the transformation process underlining the need to conform to the current legal framework and in some cases to further develop that framework in order to facilitate the process. They discussed the various opportunities and also the barriers transformation and how these might be addressed. The key role of local municipalities throughout Serbia was particularly emphasised in view of the random non geographical distribution of residents currently housed in Residential Institutions.

During day two, Mr. Anastasios Rentoumis, Key Health Care Expert, presented the contents of a draft transformation plan. The draft plan had been prepared in close collaboration between project experts, representatives from Residential Institution and the representatives of the both Ministries.

As a result of work during the workshop a modified baseline data sheet will be forwarded to each institution together with a draft transformation plan for completion.

The event proved to be a valuable development experience for all and the benefit of such collaborative events bringing together all the Residential Institutions was emphasised. It is anticipated that other similar in structure workshops will follow in the future.