Experience of early childhood intervention in Ukraine: Possibilities of intersectoral cooperation and internationally recognized practices during the war

The development of early childhood intervention (ECI) for families with young children with developmental delays, disabilities and at risk in Ukraine has a long history. This story began in the early 2000s, but gained special dynamics from 2008-2009, thanks to partnerships with international experts, starting with those from Dutch organization SOFT tulip. ECI in Ukraine developed into a routinely oriented service, which is based on a transdisciplinary model of the work of a team of specialists in various fields, in partnership with parents. Modern ECI has a focus on the comprehensive well-being of children by integrating medical, social, and environmental factors that influence their development and strengthening parents in their ability to raise a child. Crucial in the successful development of the child in its family is the intersectoral cooperation and referral between the ECI-service and the early detection and treatment from the medical and rehabilitation services. In Ukraine this intersectoral cooperation is still challenging. After the start of russia's large-scale aggression in February 2022, new challenges arose for families with children and ECI specialists: traumatic experiences over a long period of time, exhaustion, losses, frequent forced changes of circumstances, lack of stability, security, predictability, regression in children's development, mental health problems. The results of the study "Lace of Life. The functioning of the ECI network in Ukraine during the war", which was conducted in 2022-2024, showed the effectiveness of ECI during the war based on such basic things as partnership and mutual support with parents, building long-term relationships, the strength of the daily routine, and developing the ability to control one's life.

Dr. Anna Kukuruza is medical psychologist, chair of the Department of Developmental Psychology of the Institute of Children and Juvenile Health Protection of National Academy of Medical Science of Ukraine. She is one of the leaders of the development the ECI system in Ukraine for families with early age children with developmental delays, disabilities and at risk.