Activity of Maternal Center for the Prevention of Infant Abandonment (Illustrated by the Work of “Sharmiran centre”, Grenoble, France)

The article presents the description of the organized support system aimed at prevention of infant abandonment that has been implemented in France for more than half a century. The system includes a range of services providing complex support for pregnant women and mothers of infants and toddlers in adverse situations throughout the country. Special institutions provide security, shelter, commodity assistance and food for socially excluded women within the period from the seventh month of pregnancy to the child’s third birthday. The structure and staffing of the maternity centre, the terms and conditions of providing shelter for the needy are presented. The professional tasks of the centre staff – pedagogues, social and medical workers, psychologists – are outlined. The contents of social, psychological and educational work with the women at risk of deviant mothering are described. The French experience is provided in comparison with the Russian one, recommendations on the possibilities of using this technology in Russia are provided.

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