What is the impact of the Omama program?
In 2022, we completed pilot research with Oxford University. Using the INTER-NDA method, we evaluated the neurodevelopment of children at the age of 2 in the areas of cognition, speech, fine and gross motor skills, and social behavior. We compared children from the Omama program with children from excluded communities who did not receive any intervention and with children from the majority. A total of 251 children took part in the measurement. We further use the methodology for continuous evaluation of the neurodevelopment of omama’s children in order to record their progress.
The return on an invested euro is highest at an early age
A lot of research proves that supporting the development of children at the youngest age has the highest return for society. A child’s early development multiplies his potential for later success in studies and employability as an adult. Instead of being dependent on support and receiving various benefits, a person can become a successful and fully integrated member of society, a contributor and a tax payer.
We strive to promote support for every child born into poverty
In Slovakia, despite the high return, systematic early care is implemented, or early intervention only to a limited extent, and only for children with medical disabilities. In The Way Out, we try to promote change at the national level. We are part of working groups in ministries. Omamas were mentioned in the Recovery and Resilience Plan. The planned changes should strengthen the inclusion of socially and medically disadvantaged children in early childhood education. The Recovery Plan also provides for funding support.
In June 2022, the Government of the Slovak Republic approved the National Strategy for the Development of Coordinated Early Intervention and Early Care Services for the years 2022-2030. A new early childhood education support network for families in excluded communities is emerging. We will certainly be a part of it in the coming years as well.
Outputs for one omama:
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3-4 hourly home visits provided per day, 18 per week
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1 parent club per month
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1 woman with developed skills and work habits
Outputs for the community:
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18-50 families with young children with early care
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better readiness of children for kindergarten and school
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parents’ more active approach to their children’s education, greater confidence in their abilities
Change/long-term impact:
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better results of children from generational poverty in schools
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higher employability/employment/income
They said about us
On my travels, I am interested in concrete solutions that help families and children escape from poverty. While visiting Zborov, I watched with admiration the lesson of the Omama program, which supports the development and education of young Roma children from birth and is based on cooperation with mothers. … Zobraziť viac
On my travels, I am interested in concrete solutions that help families and children escape from poverty. While visiting Zborov, I watched with admiration the lesson of the Omama program, which supports the development and education of young Roma children from birth and is based on cooperation with mothers. I will advocate for the valuable experience and models of operation of the Omama program, as well as other similar initiatives, to be transformed into systemic state policies.
