PATRONAGE CARE + IN THE MUNICIPALY OF BERKOVITSA

The project proposal will ensure the provision of integrated social and health services for people with disabilities and people at risk in connection with limiting the spread and overcoming the consequences of COVID - 19.The local administration decides and works on issues related to the daily life of the population of Berkovitsa municipality. The municipality has rich experience in the preparation and management of social projects funded by the national budget and various European and international programs and funds. One of the main activities and responsibilities of the municipality is the provision of appropriate social and health services for the population. According to the Law on Social Assistance, social services are provided by the state, municipalities, etc., as the mayor manages social services in the municipality of Berkovitsa, which are delegated by the state and local activities, also the mayor is responsible for compliance with criteria and standards for providing social services and is the employer of those services. Patronage care is not included in the list of activities delegated by the state, which are financed from the state budget. The municipality maintains some of the services as a local activity, but the capacity of these local activities cannot meet the needs of those in need of health and social services at home environment. Patronage care for vulnerable people, incl. quarantined due to COVID-19, proves to be a well-functioning support mechanism in particularly difficult conditions for people at risk of social exclusion. The adoption of measures to limit the spread of Covid -19, in the process of providing social services by the municipality, leads to additional costs for them. Current funding will provide additional funding for activities directly related to the protection of health of both- users of social services delegated by the state and employees who provide these services.

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