On April 23, 2025, an important conference dedicated to early intervention took place in Odessa. The event was attended by representatives of local authorities, healthcare institutions, social services, psychologists, and parents of children benefiting from early intervention services.
The conference was opened by the Mayor of Odessa, Hennadiy Trukhanov, who emphasized that the city is actively developing a support system for children with developmental disorders and their families.
«Early intervention is a vital form of partnership with families. Our specialists are ready to provide support in challenging situations and assist in organizing daily life. The main goal is for every child to be happy, to develop, and to have all the necessary conditions for self-realization. This is an important step towards creating a barrier-free environment for all residents of Odessa», — noted Hennadiy Trukhanov.
Early intervention is a comprehensive service offered to families raising children with developmental disorders at early stages of their lives.
This service allows for the timely detection of potential developmental issues and creates conditions for their correction, which is essential for adaptation to society.
Odessa became one of the pioneers in implementing the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine's project «Creating a System for Early Intervention to Ensure Child Development and Health». Currently, this service is integrated into the City Target Program «Barrier-Free Odessa».
The Department of Health of the Odessa City Council has introduced developmental screenings for children under three years old in all city pediatric clinics and the Children's Consultative and Diagnostic Center.
In 2024, 10,396 screenings were conducted, which identified developmental disorders in 1,279 children, of which 512 were referred for early intervention.
Early intervention centers operate in four children's medical institutions. In 2024, 197 families were under the supervision of early intervention specialists, with all children showing positive development dynamics.
Last year, multidisciplinary teams conducted 1,713 interactions with families, including 349 home visits, 705 online meetings, and 659 outpatient visits.
Considering the growing demand for this service, further expansion of early intervention centers is planned for 2025, enabling assistance to 350 families.
For the first time in 2025, the City Target Program «Barrier-Free Odessa» will provide salaries for early intervention team members.
The program also includes educational events for members of interdisciplinary teams, parents, medical and social workers, as well as initiatives to raise public awareness about the availability of early intervention services in Odessa.
