Miona Gajić
COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS AND IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW: THE IDEA AND REALIZATION OF A DAY CARE CENTER
The daycare service for children with behavioral problems is one of the services in social care that are based on an ecosystem approach and user participation, and that develop cooperation between all actors and systems in the community and pluralism of services. Ten years ago, there were several active day care centers for children and youth with behavioral problems (in Novi Sad, Kragujevac, Knjazevac, Pozarevac) that had clearly articulated work programs, while according to data for 2022, there are only two licensed ones in the Republic of Serbia provider of this daycare service (in Bor and Kragujevac). A survey was conducted among daycare service providers in both licensed daycare centers. Based on the respondents' answers, we can conclude that the daycare service has multiple positive effects on both users and their families, as well as on the local community. The existence of this type of service contributes to respecting the basic principles of social protection, respecting the recommendations of international instruments and implementing the provisions of domestic legislation. Day care provides opportunities to apply such methods aimed at supporting and empowering young people, gaining insight into the problem, correcting behavior and increasing personal responsibility. A special advantage is the formation of a more intensive relationship between the professional worker and the user as well as his family. Time commitment and a wide range of activities that can be realized in immediate work, but also in the community together with the user, give positive results. The results of the research indicate the importance of children and young people with behavioral problems remaining in the natural environment, that is, their families and communities with the aim of preventing institutionalization. The results of questionnaires and interviews with service providers, on the other hand, point to the need for further improvement of this service in the context of developing mechanisms for the sustainability of its quality and efficiency. Funding, availability and cross–sector networking continue to be a challenge in the implementation and functioning of day care. As one of the results of the research, the importance of adequate training of experts, the need for external supervision and the fight against prejudices that are common in smaller local communities emerges. The lack of this type of service as well as other incidental services of a preventive nature in the community increases the risk of continued antisocial behavior of this group of children and youth, stigmatization and institutionalization.
ON THE POSITION OF ROMA CHILDREN IN THE SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEM IN SERBIA
The aim of this paper is to analyze research that deals with the impact of ethnic and racial prejudices on the psychosocial development of children and members of marginalized groups and to provide evidence-based recommendations that indicate the need for change to improve their position. The paper is based on the analysis of the existing scientific literature, and the method of work used is the analysis of the content of documents. In order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to first define basic concepts such as ethnic group, race, prejudice and discrimination. After that, we will give a brief overview of the sources of prejudice as well as the function of stereotypes and prejudices. We will pay special attention to the impact of racial and ethnic prejudices on the psychosocial development of children belonging to the Roma national minority with an analysis of their position in the social protection system in the Republic of Serbia. In conclusion, we will point out the need to change the social protection system, improve the legislative framework, adopt new skills and methods of work for employees, as well as the need to empower users and include them in new work programs for children and families from marginalized social groups.
