The Casa Ana Center, Better Future International´s family care program in Azua, Dominican Republic, opened up its doors in July 2009. During the summer it served the needs of 30 orphaned children ages 6-16 and their families. Eventually one hundred children will benefit from the after school program throughout the year. Casa Ana will serve as a family care center that will provide assistance and support to the children´s caretakers by maintaining family structures through our Family Care Model. The model applies the concept of kinship care while supporting extended family members´s ability to provide care for orphaned children.
Provision of Basic Needs:
Casa Ana will be a safe haven where family values and individual empowerment will help to nurture responsible and productive citizens. The children will benefit from a quality education and gain a greater respect for social responsibility. As Casa Ana grows, we hope for it to become a resource center for all children in Azua. The Casa Ana Center will facilitate enrollment in the school system and also focus on cultural and social education. The program also supplements the resources of each enrolled family by distributing nutritious food and covering health care costs.
Access to Education:
The Casa Ana Center facilitates the children´s enrollment into public schools and provides them the materials needed for proper education. At the center, the program offers instruction in:
- After school homework help
- Courses in Reading and Writing, Math, History, and Science
- Computer, Art, Dance, and Photography Classes
- Educational field trips to interactive museums
The Casa Ana Center is equipped with a computer lab and a small library accessible to the children attending our program.
Caregiver support:
Caregivers benefit from support groups and educational workshops on topics such as health. Family Counseling is an important aspect of the program as it will address prevalent issues which affect the children´s emotional health and well being.
Home Visits:
Home visits are an opportunity for caregivers to receive additional support and a means for staff to ensure that the children are properly cared for and that caregivers are meeting all expectations.
Upon acceptance into the program, the Program Director conducts an initial Family Needs Assessment, explains program goals and regulations, and refers family members to needed services. Staff provide written documentation of monthly home visits to record the child´s progress at home, as well as evidence that the caretakers are following guidelines and that referrals were followed through on. In addition, program staff regularly meet with each child´s teachers to monitor and document behavior and progress in school.
Staff:
The Casa Ana Foundation has three staff members that are always on duty including the program director and two academic instructors.