Philippine Children’s Ministries Network

PCMN Conducts PARA-Social Workers’ Training

PCMN did it again! As more children in the Philippines are vulnerable to disaster and emergency situations plus the increasing incidence of abuse, violence and exploitation committed against them, PCMN established alliances with faith-based organizations through the launch of Bearers of Hope (BOH) Project. This initiative aims to reduce risk of disaster and protect children in vulnerable situation with thirty (30) new champions for the protection of children at risk from the provinces of Rizal, Laguna, and NCR.

To address the need for trained social workers who can provide care and support to vulnerable children, the PCMN, with assistance from Tearfund the Netherlands and UNICEF conducted a seminar entitled “Para-Social Workers’ Training on Case Management and Stress De-Briefing of Children in Emergencies”. Held last April 21-23, 2010 at the Gems Hotel and Conference Center in Antipolo City, the seminar was attended by 27 volunteers from the churches and FBOs who are committed to work within their churches and the immediate surrounding and outreach communities in the protection of children in emergencies (CPIE).

The objectives of the seminar are: to provide participants with knowledge and skills in interviewing, recording and referral of distressed children (CPIE) and Children in Need of Special Protection; acquire skills in brief crisis counseling of children after disaster for lay workers in church and communities; identify agencies in the local government and NGOs (in Rizal, Laguna and NCR) for referral purposes; and identify broad strokes of networking or points of collaboration on issues specific to referral and case management.

Seminar participants who were later called Child Protection Officers, committed to identify children at risk, assess their needs, improve and expand delivery of key psycho-social services for children, and engage communities to provide a network of care, support, and protection to children victims of disaster and are needing of protection from abuse and exploitation.

Evelyn Alegre