The French Ministry of Justice visits “Smile”

Representatives of the French Ministry of Justice, wanted to get to know the "Smile", in the context of their study visit to Greece.

The three representatives who visited the Organization are from the French Judicial Youth Protection service of the French Ministry of Justice,  responsible for all matters relating to juvenile justice.

The representatives of the Ministry visited the Organization’s Day Center, "The House of the Child", in order to be further informed about the Greek juvenile justice system, as well as the practices in our country, as they will assume the management of three centers for delinquent youth in the cities of Rennes, Paris and Lille, respectively. These Centers employ educators, social workers and psychologists, and accommodate young offenders, 13-18 years old, with a view to their education and their eventual reintegration into society. The youth there work, study and receive training.

Their interest was focused on the provision of mental health services to these young people as the "House of the Child", the Organization's Day Center, provides customized mental health services to children and adolescents, victims of abuse, neglect, domestic violence, victimized minors, children involved in bullying incidents and generally children who have recently or in the past have been exposed to severe psycho-traumatic experiences and suffering resulting to mental health, adaptation or behavioral problems.

A specialized service, unique in Greece and innovative both in Europe and internationally, whose operating costs are covered by the Ministry of Health, with specialized psychologists, social workers and created by "The Smile of the Child", in the context of the many years of actions, experience and expertise it has acquired in the field of Child Protection.

In this context, the staff of the Organization presented the history and the holistic actions of “Smile”, the collaboration with French organizations - Droit d' Enfance, Apprentis d'Auteuil, La Mouette etc.- but also the services and the operation of the Day Center, as well as general information about the system in Greece. Among other things, they spoke about the history of the Day Center, the collaboration with the US’s National Children's Advocacy Center, the effort made by the Organization to operate an Advocacy Center, and the state-run “House of the Child”. Of particular interest were both the common challenges and problems in mental health issues, as well as the good practices of the “Smile” in this field.

The visit was concluded with a tour of the premises of the Day Center and a common agreement for further communication and possible partnership.

Thank you for this lovely meeting, your kind words about the work of the Organization and the exchange of experiences in the field of providing mental health services to young people.