The Moldova Transformation Guidance aims to support the transformation process of residential care facilities (RCF) to models that promote family support and community-based services, or to safely close them and redirect their resources. The transformation process involves multiple steps and has been informed by international child rights instruments, global best practices, and existing Moldovan legal frameworks, tools and practices. This guidance aligns with Moldova’s efforts to ensure that all children have their right to family environment respected, including moving those from residential care facilities to family care and to meet obligations related to strengthening families, in line with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection’s (MLSP) vision and objectives. The guidance is intended for government authorities at all levels with responsibility for child placement, social services, and alternative care. National and local authorities can use this guidance to design, plan, budget, communicate, and coordinate transformation at both individual and system levels. It also serves professionals involved in specific phases or steps of transformation, such as social workers, child protection specialists, psychologists, and technical assistance staff from government and non-governmental organizations. Residential care facility staff, including directors, administrative, operational, programmatic, and support staff, can benefit from it. The guidance supports the design of communication strategies and messaging, coordination mechanisms and working as a team, child and family assessments, reintegration and family placement efforts involving health, education, justice, social protection, and social services sectors. This guidance can be used by non-governmental organizations who operate private residential care facilities in Moldova and are transitioning to community-based family support.
