Unusual public-private collaboration strongly advocated by Medacta for Life Foundation, the project originates from the need expressed by key players in the local area: the municipalities of Chiasso and Mendrisio, who perceive the absence of preventive support for families in vulnerable situations. The aim is to offer parent guidance to prevent (or anticipate) the risk of children neglect, including their developmental needs. The service, supported by local, organised network, aims to prevent the institutionalisation of the most fragile cases, supporting families with parenting weaknesses; the focus is on families with children between 5 and 10 years of age, although there are often siblings in other age groups who can benefit from the work of the home educators, the increased resources, and the social network.
There are two project phases: experimental phase, 2021-2022, and pilot phase, 2022-2025. The start-up (experimental phase) was financially supported by Medacta for Life Foundation, directly to the two municipalities involved. As a result, the ConTatto Organisation was founded for this purpose in March 2022. Through the newly founded ConTatto, Medacta for Life Foundation is committed to provide support in the next project phase, 2022-2025. The aim is to strengthen and develop the service launched and to increase the number of families and minors supported.
15 families were taken on for a total of 35 minors between July and December 2022.
35 families benefited from the service, with 72 minors involved in 2023.
