Prevention:
Interventions in schools are aimed at all children of primary and secondary education, as well as in kindergartens. Our psychologists communicate with students, teachers and parents about each topic they are concerned about, through organized interactive, experiential actions.
To better communicate with students and the adult audience, our psychologists use various tools and methods (social stories-fairy tales, based on bibliotherapy) - European cross media interactive educational tool-Puppet Theater-Shadow Theater-documentary). The main factor in the selection of the appropriate "tools" is the age of the participants in the intervention.
Our team of psychologists visits schools all over Greece, using "Odysseas" ("Ulysses"), the first mobile laboratory of Information, Education & Technology, even in the most remote areas.
Our team of psychologists remotely communicates with children through the interactive education & information platform YouLearn. While "The Smile of the Child" has developed the action "Ask The Smile", with which our psychologists stand next to parents, teachers and the general public through webinars, web seminars and webcasts.
Intervention"
The Homes of "The Smile of the Child" for children at risk are primarily places of safe residence and care for children victims and are intended to offer them a new safe family-type environment, in which they will enjoy everything necessary for their healthy physical, psychological, emotional and social development. The Home provide their services on a 24/7 basis. The model for their operation is family-oriented, while the rule stays to avoid the institutionalization of children. Children are provided with shelter, nutrition, personalized education, entertainment, medical support, and especially warmth and love. All children attend schools in the area and follow extracurricular activities, based on their preferences (language schools, sports activities, etc.). Children also participate in recreational events and activities while maintaining contact with friends and classmates and, if appropriate, with people of their wider family environment or with any foster parents. All children growing up in homes are monitored at regular intervals by pediatricians, carry out all the necessary vaccines for their age as well as the necessary microbiological, dental, etc.examinations, while when indicated by the supervising doctors, they undergo specialized examinations, surgical procedures, etc.
It is noted that "The Smile of the Child" continues to be next to these children as adults, providing them with every necessary support for their smooth transition to independence. The Organization stands next these children and keeps providing valuable support for their studies, their professional integration etc.
The National Helpline SOS1056 operates 365 days a year, 24/7, with a call free of charge from landline or mobile and the possibility of activating immediate on-site intervention for children in immediate danger, as well as receiving anonymous or branded complaints, which are forwarded to the competent prosecutor's Office.
Therapeutic:
The Day Center with its interdisciplinary team provides children with the following services:
- Early intervention-evaluation-counseling support
- Diagnosis and treatment of the whole range of child psychiatric problems
- In children victims of abuse or neglect who have psychopathological disorders, the whole approach also includes the comprehensive treatment of all possible parallel needs including the diagnosis and treatment of specific learning needs and the provision of speech therapy, occupational therapy and special education services
- Counseling to parents, caregivers and other reference persons
- Monitoring-recording-statistical processing of psychosocial rehabilitation needs resulting from child abuse incidents.