FICE International, a global network of professionals dedicated to child and youth care, launched the "Hand in Hand" Task Force in August 2022 in response to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. The task force focuses on providing emotional, educational, and psychological support to children and families severely impacted by the war. Many of these children have faced displacement, loss, trauma, and disruption of their education.

Working closely with partners like the Ukrainian Educational Platform (UEP) and the Revived Gymnasiums of Ukraine Association (RGU), the task force plays a crucial role in addressing the unique needs of these vulnerable children, ensuring that they receive the care, protection, and services they need to cope with the effects of the conflict.

Mission and Objectives

The primary mission of the "Hand in Hand" Task Force is to ensure the safety, well-being, and development of children affected by the Ukraine war. This is achieved by:

• Providing emotional and psychological support for children dealing with trauma, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

• Ensuring access to education by addressing disruptions caused by displacement, remote learning challenges, and school closures.

• Training social workers and educators on how to support traumatized children and deliver care in emergencies.

• Developing resilience centers to promote long-term recovery and emotional well-being for children and their families.

Key Initiatives and Programs

The "Hand in Hand" Task Force has implemented several impactful programs to support Ukrainian children:

1. Roundtable Discussions: Regular discussions with educators, teachers, and social workers address the challenges of providing education during wartime. These sessions also focus on emotional support and dealing with trauma in children.

2. Training and Professional Development: Specialized training programs for social workers, psychologists, and educators have been conducted to improve their skills in working with traumatized children. These sessions are designed to help professionals understand and address the psychological and emotional needs of children affected by war.

3. Resilience Centers: The task force assists in establishing resilience centers to provide children with safe spaces to receive emotional, psychological, and social support. These centers aim to help children rebuild their sense of normalcy and hope amidst the chaos of war.

4. Educational Support: By working with Ukrainian and international educational institutions, the task force is helping to ensure continuity in children's education despite the challenges posed by displacement and remote learning interruptions. This includes developing educational tools, monitoring children’s progress, and creating systems to reintegrate displaced children back into Ukrainian schools when the time comes.

5. Psycho-social Interventions: Programs have been launched to address the mental health needs of children, including workshops and therapy sessions that focus on emotional literacy, coping mechanisms, and building resilience.

Task Force Leaders

Alexander Schneider, Ph.D., An Educator and Educational Researcher, Co-chair of Hand in Hand FICE Special Task Force Email: drschneidera@gmail.com ++972542300671

Marianna Bilyk, Program Director at Ukrainian Educational Platform (UEP) and Co-chair of Hand in Hand FICE Special Task Force Email: director.hds@ukredu.org ++380985771131

International Collaboration and Partnerships

FICE’s "Hand in Hand" Task Force works with various international partners to strengthen its efforts. Collaborations with organizations like Mulberry Bush (UK), FICE Israel, and FICE Netherlands have allowed for the exchange of best practices, joint training initiatives, and the establishment of resources to support children and educators.

For example, the "Lifebook for Youth" project, developed by FICE Netherlands, is being distributed to Ukrainian children in Poland, Italy, and other host countries. This project helps children document their experiences, which can foster emotional healing and build resilience.

Seminars and lectures aimed at improving educators' ability to manage trauma have been held, and partnerships with humanitarian organizations have provided essential services like food, healthcare, and safe spaces for children in crisis.

Looking Ahead: Future Plans (2024-2026)

The task force outlined several future goals to continue supporting children affected by the crisis:

• Conducting more roundtable discussions to address pressing issues such as emotional support for educators, anti-bullying strategies, and the inclusion of children with special needs.

• Conducting Research on the main challenges Ukrainian children face in other countries' education and welfare systems.

• Provide recommendations for the educational processes of Ukrainian children in other countries.

• Host an open discussion on the topic of institutionalization in Ukraine.

• Establishing long-term resilience centers focused on emotional literacy  that will provide children with the tools they need to understand and manage their emotions.

• Hosting international internships and training exchanges to improve the skills of educators and social workers who work with war-affected children.

The task force will continue its efforts to ensure that children receive the psychological, educational, and emotional support they need, whether they remain in Ukraine or are displaced to other countries.

Conclusion

FICE International’s "Hand in Hand" Task Force is making a profound impact on the lives of Ukrainian children affected by war. Through its comprehensive programs, international collaborations, and long-term support initiatives, the task force is helping to restore a sense of normalcy, hope, and stability to the most vulnerable children.

For more detailed information, please click on the link below to access the full document and learn more about the task force’s ongoing work and future plans.

https://www.ficeinter.net/_files/ugd/4c31a3_e88a7e1b700a4adc89c32781cc49fb33.pdf