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In-depth Research of Innovative Practices
Zero Project Analysis
presented by:
EASPD and
Essl Foundation
Edition #1, April 2016
A growing network of private
support centres
Country:
Slovakia, Bratislava and four other cities
Organisation:
SOCIA – Social Reform Foundation
MANAGEMENT SUMMARY:
The private SOCIA Foundation is establishing Early Childhood In-
tervention (ECI) centres to support families in Slovakia, located in 5 regional cities and the capi-
tal, Bratislava (Slovakia is divided into eight regions). SOCIA aims to open another three centres
to cover the entire Slovak territory and thus create a network of early childhood intervention
centres on a regional level. The services of SOCIA are open to all families with children aged
seven and under, both with and without disabilities and irrespective of ethnic background.
• The SOCIA foundation has invested 1,237,000 Euro to establish five ECI centres and to
cover their operating costs for two years (2015 to 2017).
• Early intervention as a social service is now defined in the national “Act on Social
Services,” and came into effect on 1 January 2014, due to the lobbying efforts of SOCIA.
Developing a network of
ECI centres
In-home services are preferred, with most services
being delivered in the child’s natural surroundings.
Edition #1 | published April 2016