In collaboration with the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of the Ministry of Family and Social Services and Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Social Work, an informative meeting titled “Foster Family and Adoption Service Model Presentation” was held as part of the “Year of the Family” activities. The event emphasized the importance of foster family and adoption systems, highlighting the key differences between these service models in detail.
The meeting took place at Üsküdar University’s Çarşı Campus, Emirnebi 1 Conference Hall, with the participation of Ayten Yılmaz, Deputy Provincial Director of the Ministry of Family and Social Services Istanbul Office; Ahmet Emin Baysal, Head of the Foster Family Unit of the Provincial Directorate; Prof. İsmail Barış, Rector’s Advisor and Head of the Department of Social Work at Üsküdar University; as well as faculty members and students.
Ayten Yılmaz: “The family-centered service model is our top priority”
Delivering the opening speech, Deputy Provincial Director Ayten Yılmaz emphasized that a family-centered service model is their top priority for children under protection and care. She stated: “Touching a child’s life, becoming their family, and giving them the chance to grow up in a warm home is truly precious. Some of you will take on this profession in the future, perhaps as social workers or in related fields. Helping every child find a loving home and supporting such a system is incredibly valuable. You may also play a role in reaching families who wish to become foster parents. Through you, many people might hear about this cause. For us, the family-centered service model for children under state protection is our foremost priority.”
Prof. İsmail Barış: “Saving one child’s life means saving the future of Türkiye”
Highlighting the moral significance of being a foster family, Prof. İsmail Barış, Rector’s Advisor and Head of the Department of Social Work, said: “Saving one child’s life means saving the life of Türkiye itself. A foster family welcomes a child with love and provides them a home under suitable conditions, even though sometimes the process can be difficult. Despite the challenges, families who share the honor of raising a child within a family environment deserve heartfelt congratulations. In times when even caring for one’s own children can be difficult, those who take in another child and raise them as their own are people of true merit. Such families deserve recognition they are as honorable as war veterans. Professionally speaking, what you are doing is a valuable, meaningful, and noble duty.”
Ahmet Emin Baysal: “Foster care is a child’s last chance to grow up in a family”
Ahmet Emin Baysal, Head of the Foster Family Unit at the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services, delivered a detailed presentation on the Foster Family and Adoption Service Model. He underlined the importance of a child’s sense of belonging within a family: “Unfortunately, not every child has the opportunity to grow up with their family. Such children are cared for within the scope of state welfare systems according to each country’s resources and social services. Most of these children are victims of neglect or abuse. Foster care represents the last chance for a child to grow up in a family. If the child is not placed with a foster family, they remain in institutional care. The psychosomatic recovery that occurs through the love of a family is clearly visible, and the child begins to feel a true sense of belonging. That is vital.”
The event, organized as part of the Year of the Family, concluded with a question-and-answer session.