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june 2009 - "civil society best practices network" web portal

The UN-NGO Informal Regional network was initiated by the NGO section of the UN Department of Economic & Social Affairs (DESA) to accommodate the increasing number and diversity of NGO's worldwide in order to help consolidate NGO effort towards the implementation of the UN's Millennium Development Goals in partnership with the United Nations and the governments.

In 2008, the UN-NGO-IRENE launched a new web portal entitled "Civil Society Best Practices Network" with the goal to act as an engaging and interactive electronic forum allowing organizations in consultative status with ECOSOC to share best practices and success stories. All featured projects stand out as innovative initiatives as far as methodology, evidence of results and impact on surrounding environment are concerned.

The "Civil Society Best Practices Network" web portal aims to empower the awareness in regards to the work being carried out by NGO's worldwide, and to further reinforce the relationships between civil society and the United Nations

http://esango.un.org/irene/Index

program for women and children

A Gender Oriented Residential Treatment Program for Women with Dependant Children

Program Description

The residential treatment and rehabilitation program for women with and without children, and/or pregnant, with problematic use of alcohol and other drugs, has been operated since 2005 by the NGO, Dianova in Chile, in two therapeutic communities, located respectively in the Metropolitan Area of Santiago and the Maule region of Chile, situated within the Latin American & Caribbean Best Practices Network. The program is conducted in accordance with the guidelines of government-funded support programs for drug treatment initiatives, through the CONACE (Chilean National Council for Drug Control) and the requirements of the Health Ministry's other plans and programs. The program addresses two Millennium Development Goals, “Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women” and “Improve Maternal Health”. In addition, it demonstrates innovative solutions and best practices in the area of global public health.
Gender perspective's main concept is based on the fact that gender differences are cultural constructs which are derived from the fashion in which biological differences have been perceived and experienced. Every society's gender categorization accordingly induces a series of perceptions and determined behavior rules for men and women, whether permitted or prohibited, which are reflected in the various socialization areas. (Women and Drug Treatment, Technical Orientations, CONACE, 2004)

The program is based on an integrative model, including a biopsychosocial approach to addiction treatment which implements specific orientation principles such as affective instruction, and the philosophy of living together, while utilizing motivational strategies not relying on confrontational or moralistic techniques.

Some therapeutic issues appear to be especially relevant to these women, including the necessity to address domestic violence (physical, psychological and sexual abuse), renewing emotional ties with their children, and achieving self-reliance.
Treatment objectives consist of: abstinence, individual self-esteem, self-care, renewal of family ties, renewal of the mother-child ties, the development of supportive social networks and the reinforcement of protection factors, for the woman herself, her family and the community – all of this in order to achieve genuine social integration. The methodology entails the realization of an individual treatment plan, the therapeutic objectives of which are defined by the resident herself, while implementing, from the very beginning of the process, an itinerary towards social and vocational integration.

One critical element of the methodology utilized is the development of a therapeutic alliance between the treatment team and the resident, a trust-based emotional tie which will include the possibility of strengthening the resident's motivation to change.

The therapeutic process consists of 5 phases: pre-intake, intake and evaluation, reinforcement, reintegration and follow-up.

Resident profiles

Resident profiles include the following classifications: adult women over 18 years old, with or without children and/or pregnant (living in the residential center), with a problematic use of alcohol and/or other drugs and a moderate-to-severe level of biopsychosocial repercussions, with or without family support and presenting compensated psychiatric comorbidity.

Innovation   

Until the year 2005 no specific program had been specifically designed for this population, which represented an obstacle to treatment access and compliance, because no approved methodology was provided for their healthcare needs.

The inclusion of a gender perspective in the treatment of women with problematic drug use creates an adequate response to this population's specific needs. The possibility of accommodating their children on the treatment premises helps maintain affection, reconstitutes mother-child ties and reconnects the individuals with their friends and family. By the same token it provides a multiplier preventive effect for the individual's other children and for her peers.
Likewise, the treatment specificity engenders a synergetic reinforcement of the gender-oriented, social and healthcare categories, both during the admission phase, throughout the program and at its completion.

Impact and results

Since the program was implemented in 2005, it has cared-for 321 women and 91 children in the program’s two centers. Since the beginning of 2009, pregnant women have been welcome to enter the treatment program, and three of them have enrolled.

Since 2008, at the request of CONACE, the San Bernardo Dianova therapeutic community, located in the Santiago Metropolitan area, has become a national vocational training center for addiction professionals

More information on www.Dianova.cl