The National Institute for Technical and Vocational Training (Infotep), with the support of the International Labor Organization (ILO) presented the training program “Personal Assistance to Persons with Disabilities in Need of Support”, as part of the project “Communities of Care: design and implementation of the pilot of the National Care Policy in priority territories of the Dominican Republic”, financed through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Fund.
This project seeks to support the Dominican Government in the construction of a National Caregiving Policy, through its pilot strategy that unites the efforts of 10 government institutions: Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development (MEPyD), Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Women, the Supérate Program, the Single System of Beneficiaries (Siuben), the National Institute for Technical-Professional Training (Infotep), the National Institute for Comprehensive Early Childhood Care (Inaipi), the National Council for the Aging Person (Conape), the National Council for Disability (Conadis) and the National Council for Children and Adolescents (Conani).
This initiative, which begins with a pilot plan in Azua and Santo Domingo Este, aims to train professionals with the skills to provide assistance to people with disabilities who require support to be able to carry out their daily activities with independence and autonomy, within the framework of the country’s strategy to move towards the construction of a National Care System.
In addition, it contributes to the long-term national objectives, which are contained in the National Constitution, the National Development Strategy, the Government Program 2020-2024 and the Dominican Republic’s commitment to Agenda 20-30, which seeks to leave no one behind.
The event was presided over by Professor Rafael Santos Badía, general director of Infotep, together with Gloria Reyes, director of the Supérate Program, and Juan Hunt, director of the ILO for Central America, Haiti, Panama and Dominican Republic.
Also present were Rosa Cañete Alonzo, director of Analysis of Poverty, Inequality and Democratic Culture of the MEPyD, Larraitz Lexartza, who gave a lecture on “Care Policies”, as well as ILO consultant and teacher of the program, Damaris Solano, who gave a virtual lecture on “Modern Approach to Personal Assistance”.
The training program and didactic guides were presented by Kenia Peña and Sonia Sánchez, respectively.
Also present were the Vice Minister of MEPyD Olaya Dotel and Maira Morla, Deputy Director General of Infotep.
Guidelines Manuals to execute the program
For the development of this project, Infotep has developed four Manuals Guides that will be the starting point for program participants to provide support services to people with disabilities who have demands for support, to perform activities of daily living, in order to achieve independent living and personal autonomy.
This support material is focused on the Social and Human Rights Model, Dominican Sign Language (LSRD), Personal Assistance to Persons with Disabilities and Instrumental Activities of Personal Assistance.
Graduate Profile
Upon graduation, participants will have the skills to work as personal assistants for people with disabilities, care assistants, home care assistants, companions for the elderly, caregivers for the elderly, home care assistants for the elderly and dependent people, caregivers in residential centers for children and adolescents at social risk (caretakers of foster homes), caregivers in geriatric residential centers.
To access the training
Participants who can access the program must be between 18 and 60 years old, have a high school or higher education degree, and preferably be a student of a technical or higher degree in nursing or other related areas.
Communities of Care
The aim of the Communities of Care is to reduce the gap between the demand and the public supply of care services and promote the dignified labor insertion of certified caregivers, thus enhancing the capabilities of each territory.
Source: presidencia.gov.do
