Works on the “Prichindelul” Center, almost completed. Among the new facilities, physiotherapy, speech therapy and polysensory stimulation rooms (photo)

The works for the new space of the “Prichindelul” Day Center in Sibiu, located in the building on Bastionului street number 6, within the premises of the “Prichindelul” Placement Center, have been largely completed. The official opening will take place in the fall of 2024.

The investment presentation event took place on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, marking an important stage in the evolution of the infrastructure for the care and education of children with disabilities. The investment costs amounted to over 5.5 million lei, the project being realized through European funds.

The modernization and rehabilitation project was carried out by the Sibiu County Council, in partnership with the General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection. Daniela Cîmpean, president of the Sibiu County Council, stated that the rehabilitation works have now been completed. The day center is to begin its activity after obtaining the necessary approvals and licensing, in the fall of 2024.

“Now we present you the investment. Its operationalization and the beneficiaries’ access to this building will be done after all the stages regarding the approval and licensing of the center have been completed (…) I would like to thank everyone for their dedication and for making it possible for the children who will soon step over the threshold of this center to be able to feel that they live with dignity in a county that aims to offer equal opportunities to everyone, including Social Assistance,” said Daniela Cîmpean.

The pavilion is structured as follows: in the basement are the technical spaces, on the ground floor there are medical and therapeutic offices, a waiting room, rooms for child preparation, sanitary groups, storage spaces and administrative offices, and on the first floor are located the psychopedagogy rooms, the offices of speech therapy, sensory integration room, psychotherapy room, polysensory stimulation room, parental counseling room and a terrace.

New elevator, physical therapy room, speech therapy, sensory integration, and other recovery activities

The modernization work focused on replacing the roof, carpentry, water, sewage, electricity and heating networks. At the same time, the new elevator brings a plus in terms of safety and accessibility facilities for the beneficiaries.

Apart from modernization works, the new space of the placement center currently has the possibility of offering free medical services of physiotherapy, massage, balneotherapy, electrotherapy, as well as psychotherapy or speech therapy services. The building has a space for sensory integration, a polysensory stimulation room, and an occupational therapy office. These new facilities will give the specialists from the “Prichindelul” Day Center the opportunity to provide support for children suffering from various forms of disability.

New electrotherapy equipment

A significant innovation in electrotherapy recovery is the introduction of an innovative device that uses both low and high frequency magnetic waves. The device is a recent purchase and is designed primarily for the recovery of wrist and joint ailments.

74 children with disabilities will benefit from the new conditions

The beneficiaries of the Day Center will be 74 children with disabilities. Of these, 24 are enrolled in the special protection system, and 50 places will serve children with special needs in the community.

“It is a moment of great significance. It is the first objective that the County Council and DGASPC have committed to, the first physical objective completely rehabilitated through European funds. It is a historic step for Sibiu Social Assistance. This center which until now was a placement center and also offered some recovery services, will henceforth be strictly a Day Center for Recovery. It will serve both children with various conditions in the Casuțe residential area, as well as those from the community,” said Vlad Vasiu, the vice-president of the Sibiu County Council, during the conference.

Also, within the project, other technical rooms were modernized that are useful for preparing children before the start of recovery activities, changing rooms, or the generous waiting spaces for parents. The administrative offices received new furniture and IT equipment.

Admission to the center will be based on an admission request submitted by the legal representative who will receive approval through the signature of the head of the center. We also need the recommendations of specialists regarding the type of recovery services needed contained in the Recovery/Services Plan, a document attached to the Disability Classification Certificate issued by the Child Protection Commission.

These services are free and will be provided on the basis of a Service Provision Agreement, signed by the social service provider, the social service and the child’s legal representative.

In a month, the reception of the family-type houses will take place

During the conference, the executive director of the Strategy, Projects Department of the Sibiu County Council, said that the seven family-type houses for children with disabilities will be ready starting next month. In family-type homes, children will have access to a wide range of services and activities designed to ensure their harmonious development and adequate care. (Details here)
“They will be ready in the next period. Some will be completed in early April, some in late April. We will probably have a first reception in a month”, said Oana Popa, executive director of the Project Strategy Directorate.

The value of the rehabilitation project of the “Prichindelul” Center is 5,519,420 lei including VAT, of which 4,639,710 lei including VAT are eligible expenses (secured from non-refundable funds), and the amount of 879,710 lei including VAT is the contribution of DGASPC Sibiu as partnership leader, through the Sibiu County Council, of which 94,680 lei with VAT represents 2% of the total value of ineligible expenses, and 785,020 lei with VAT is the value of ineligible expenses.