In implementation of the project "Rehabilitation Center for Children with Oncohematological Diseases", implemented under the program "Local Development, Poverty Reduction and Improved Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups", funded by the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area 2014-2021, in October 2020 d. initial / introductory training of the staff of the Rehabilitation Center.
Lecturer on the introductory topic - legal framework for working with children - was Dr. Sabina Sabeva - former director of the Directorates "State Policy for Child Protection" and "International Cooperation and Programs" in the State Agency for Child Protection, with extensive practical experience in the development, provision and management of social services for children and families - counseling and residency, actively participated in the development of methodologies of social services - Community Support Center, Mother and Baby Unit and Foster Care. Dr. Sabeva acquainted in detail the team of the center with the Child Protection Act, Ordinance on the criteria and standards for social services for children, Voluntary European Framework for the Quality of Social Services and presented his presentation on the Social Services Act, effective from 1 July 2020 year.
The team was also acquainted in detail with the specifics of oncohematological diseases in children by Prof. Iskra Hristozova - pediatrician and pediatric oncohematologist with over 45 years of experience, with 185 scientific papers in this field with 65 citations and 60 reports presented at congresses. The subject of discussions are both the diagnosis and treatment of this type of disease in children and the subsequent need for rehabilitation and dealing with the consequences of treatment.
Psychological problems in children with oncohematological diseases and their parents were presented by Ivayla Georgieva, doctor, clinical psychologist at the Clinic of Pediatric Clinical Hematology and Oncology at the University General Hospital for Active Treatment "Queen Joanna - ISUL", member of the Bulgarian Psychology Association The Bulgarian Society of Psychosomatic Medicine, entered in the public register of practicing psychologists, a full member of the Bulgarian Association of Psychooncology and its chairman from 2017 to 2019. The team of the center was acquainted in detail with the development of perceptions of the disease in young patients and their relatives, changes in the relationship between children and parents, the mechanisms for dealing with difficulties during treatment and the recovery process.
The work in the formed team of the Rehabilitation Center was discussed with Nadezhda Mileva - part-time lecturer at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", certified positive psychologist, basic coach in positive psychotherapy. The following topics were presented and discussed: Team - definition; Difference between team and group; Team building and teamwork; Phases, roles, team management.
As a leading expert, Ms. Mileva also presented the Strategy, Methodology and programs for work with children with oncohematological diseases developed for the purposes of the activity of the Rehabilitation Center. The methodology contains the main guidelines for the construction and operation of the service provided - a description of the specifics, target groups, the administrative mechanism for receiving users of the service, working methods, the necessary documentation, facilities and other resources. The emphasis in the training was also the programs for work with the children themselves, with the teenagers, with the whole family and with the brothers and sisters of children with oncohematological diseases. In addition to the invited specialists, the members of the newly formed team of employees of the Rehabilitation Center were also active participants in the training.
The specifics of the provided service and the characteristics of the main users of the service require and oblige all employees of the Rehabilitation Center for Children with Oncohematological Diseases both with thorough and precise knowledge of the activities performed and with continuous enrichment of acquired knowledge and experience, including through the upcoming upgrading trainings.
