Previously, we featured the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP), an initiative of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for children. In this article, we will focus on another important program — or rather, a facility — Haven for Children.
Ideally, the best place for children is with their families… with parents or relatives who can provide for their needs and protect them from harm. However, it cannot be denied that there are children today who are neglected, abandoned, and abused. Many of them run away and end up on the streets, with some getting addicted to drugs and other vices. These children are the target beneficiaries of the DSWD’s Haven for Children.
What is Haven for Children?
Haven for Children is a a residential care center that is designed to provide healing and empowerment to street children who have been exposed to or are recovering from substance abuse. It aims to equip them with intellectual, emotional, and productive skills. Eventually, the program seeks to reunite them with their families, or empower them to become independent/self-reliant.
At present, there are three “Haven for Children” centers operated by the DSWD: one in the National Capital Region (NCR), and one each in Regions 1 and 3. This article focuses on the center in NCR.
Haven for Children in NCR is located along Alabang-Zapote Road in Muntinlupa City, beside the Elsie Gaches Village (EGV). The center consists of eight buildings and one gymnasium; it can accommodate 150 children at any given time. The center was inaugurated on January 15, 2004.
Vision and Mission
Haven for Children is envisioned to be a center where street children who are recovering from substance abuse are empowered, free from substance dependence, well-being protected, rights promoted, and living a healthy lifestyle.
The mission of the center is “to provide therapeutic and rehabilitative services that bring holistic recovery and development of the children through teamwork, strengthened by professionalism and commitment of the center’s staff.”
Objectives
Generally, the objective of Haven for Children is to provide therapeutic interventions to children’s recovery from substance abuse, geared towards family reunification or productive independent living, and for them to become contributing members for the good of the community.
Specifically, the center seeks to:
- Provide a temporary, supportive, and nurturing home that will constitute for easier and immediate recovery of the residents;
- Provide bio-psychosocial activities that will help the residents cope with the cravings of substance abuse and prevent relapse;
- Ensure individual case management of residents, geared towards a permanent placement;
- Enhance the character of residents, geared towards the development of better and wholesome life skills to ensure successful living; and
- Maintain and sustain alliances with partner government and non-government organizations (NGOs), volunteers, private groups, and individuals who are supportive of the center’s mission.
Target Beneficiaries
The target beneficiaries of Haven for Children are male street children who are exposed to and are recovering from substance abuse, whose ages are between 7 and 13 years old. Most of these children are engaged in begging, scavenging, and other inappropriate activities on the streets.
The center receives referrals from local government units (LGUs) and NGOs in Metro Manila.
Guidelines and Procedures
Here are some information regarding guidelines and procedures in Haven for Children:
Admission
A child who is recovering from substance abuse may be considered for admission into the center if: (a) he is not ready to be reintegrated with his family; or (b) his immediate family could not anymore provide him with the necessary guidance, protection, and emotional support.
When making a referral, the referring party (i.e. LGU or NGO) needs to submit the following documents: Referral Letter, Barangay Blotter, Social Case Study Report, Medical Certificate, School Records, and Birth Certificate.
As for the child’s length of stay in Haven for Children, this will be based on a combination of the achievement of his treatment goals, as well as his overall behavior inside the center.
A pre-admission conference will be conducted by the referring party and rehabilitation team to talk about the issues and concerns with regard to the child’s admission. Before he is discharged from the center, careful and thorough discharge planning will be done.
After the child is discharged, the center will ensure that appropriate “after care” services will provided to the child and his family, in coordination with the City/Municipal Social Welfare Office concerned.
Re-Admission
A child who leaves without permission from the center for almost one month may be re-admitted, depending on the assessment and recommendation of the social worker.
A child who habitually (3 times) leaves without permission will no longer be re-admitted due to various reasons (e.g. he is unwilling to participate in the rehabilitation process; his violation of the rules could affect or be imitated by other residents, etc). That being said, the child may be referred to other child-caring facilities.
Meanwhile, a child who has been reunited with his family may be referred again for admission into the center, as long as he still falls within the age category required.
Visitation
In the center, children may be visited by their parents, siblings, relatives, and friends. The visiting hours are between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm daily. Visitors must present IDs as proof of consanguinity and/or affinity to the children, and fill up the visitor’s slip and registration logbook, and duly approved by the staff in charge.
Discipline
To address misbehavior in the center, disciplinary action is imposed. Haven for Children has a “Disciplining Committee” and follows guidelines regarding disciplinary action.
Disciplinary action includes community service and additional cottage “assignments.” It also includes deprivation of privileges such as use of telephone, TV viewing, and participating in social activities (e.g. educational trips, outreach programs, etc.).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Meanwhile, here are some frequently asked questions about the Haven for Children:
1. What is Haven for Children?
Haven for Children is a residential care center managed by the DSWD. It is designed to provide healing and empowerment to street children who have been exposed to or are recovering from substance abuse.
2. What are its vision and mission?
Haven for Children is envisioned to be a place where street children who are recovering from substance abuse are empowered, free from substance dependence, well-being protected, rights promoted, and living a healthy lifestyle.
Its mission is to provide therapeutic and rehabilitative services that being holistic recovery and development of the children.
3. What its objectives?
The center’s main objective is to provide therapeutic interventions to children’s recovery from substance abuse.
4. Who are its target beneficiaries?
The center’s target beneficiaries are male street children, 7 to 13 years old, who are exposed to and are recovering from substance abuse.
5. How can I learn more about it?
You can learn more about Haven for Children by getting in touch with the center through its contact details, which are given below.
Contact Information: Haven for Children
Address: 1771 Alabang–Zapote Rd, Cupang, Muntinlupa, 1771 Metro Manila
Telephone: 02 8807 1591
Website: https://ncr.dswd.gov.ph/centers-and-institution/haven-for-children-hc/
Google Map:
Final Thoughts
Children roaming the streets, begging, getting addicted to illegal substances — this is a sad reality today, especially in urban areas. Fortunately, there are centers like Haven for Children where they can receive the care, protection, and rehabilitation that they need.
Aside from the center, another DSWD facility for young people is the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC). Check out this article to read all about it!