Supporting Families: Training for Foster Parents Held in Ternopil

On April 29–30, 2025, a training session for foster parents and caregivers was held at the Ternopil Regional Center for Social Services. The event aimed to support families in raising children, strengthen communication skills, and provide up-to-date information on legislative changes and psychological support.

Representatives of the Ukrainian Academy of Mediation, trainers Yana Sovyk and Oksana Yaremko, joined the program. They conducted sessions on effective communication skills, introduced participants to mediation as a service for families experiencing tension or conflict, and shared insights on how to use dialogue in parenting.

Participants also met with specialists from the Regional Children’s Services of the Ternopil Regional Military Administration, who explained upcoming legislative changes affecting foster families and family-type children's homes.

In addition, there was a session with Natalia Sulypa, a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist from the Ternopil Regional Children's Hospital. She offered guidance on sexual education for teenagers, emphasizing a sensitive and trust-based communication approach.

During group training activities, participants discussed signs of stress, learned coping techniques, and reflected on personal resources to prevent emotional burnout.

The event reached 34 foster parents and caregivers from 11 territorial communities of Ternopil Oblast.

The training was organized with the involvement of the Ukrainian Academy of Mediation as part of the project “CONSENT: Strengthening the Role of Alternative Dispute Resolution in Ukraine with a Focus on Mediation,” implemented with financial support from the European Union.