A workshop focusing on abused and abandoned children was recently held in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, to discuss the role of local authorities, orphanages, foster parent homes, and other organizations to support the needs of these young people who need adult guidance.

The workshop was entitled “Children’s Dream Network,” the second in a regional series sponsored by The Nippon Foundation to study what
can be done for children in need of foster parents or community welfare assistance.

About 90% of abused and abandoned children currently live in orphanages, where they require on-going care, education, and guidance.

The workshop looked at ways that the children could better experience
a family-like home environment in which to grow up, even if this were to be facilitated within an institutional setting.

The main aspects of current child care providers were reviewed -- foster child consultation centers, orphanage care, social needs, and the best ways to facilitate children’s healthy growth and independence.

Workshop talks by child care experts included these themes: 1) More foster homes are needed to support the growth and independence of children, 2) The decline in foster parent care, 3) Orphanage care, 4) The nature and challenges of foster care.

These regional children’s welfare workshops are sponsored throughout Japan by The Nippon Foundation.