Canadian University Projects in International Development Database (CUPID)
Program details
Americas
Dominican Republic
Child Protection and Interfamilial Safety, Dominican Republic
| Canadian partner: | Ryerson University | |
|---|---|---|
| Developing country partner: | Autonomous University of Santo Domingo | |
| Project duration: | March 2005 - September 2011 |
Project purpose:
The project aims to build the capacity within the faculty of social sciences of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, the Ministry of Women's Affairs, the National Council for the Protection of Children, and the Ministry of the Attorney General to design, implement and evaluate effective and sustainable programs and services for children and women at risk. The project will also establish a model for ongoing collaboration among these institutions to increase the effectiveness and impact of services delivered to these vulnerable groups.
Key results to date:
Three programs have been strengthened or created to strengthen social work in the Dominican Republic, including a Bachelor of Social Work, a Graduate Diploma of Social Work and a Certificate of Social Work. At closing date, 218 students were enrolled in the revised Bachelor of Social Work. Thirty-one Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (AUSD) professors completed the new Graduate Diploma of Social Work and 60 employees of the National Council for the Protection of Children (CONANI) have graduated from a new Certificate of Social Work.
A number of important applied research projects engaging key stakeholders from the Dominican government, civil society and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have been completed: the Law protecting the rights of children has been evaluated and national consultations were held to develop National Protocols of Standards and Practices; institutions in the Dominican Republic engaged in child welfare have been mapped; institutional child welfare practices across the country have been assessed; data on the incidence of child maltreatment and risk factors has been gathered and a report on findings disseminated to stakeholders. For instance, a total of 1,683 cases of child abuse have been reported and are being analyzed. Further data collection has been launched with the participation of 11 offices of the Ministry of the Attorney General. Over $400,000 USD additional funds have been raised to extend project results.