Strengthening Child and Family Systems in Georgia

Abstract

The social work profession took root in Georgia during the latter half of the 20th century,primarily in response to the need for reform in child welfare. Significant milestones includethe establishment of professional social work association, the inception of social workacademic programs, and the enactment of Georgian laws specifically pertaining to socialwork. Development of social work practice has extended into various areas, includingchild welfare, education, and justice. Collaboration among professionals, state entities,and international donors has been instrumental in advancing both social work educationand practice, ensuring alignment with global standards. Despite facing numerous challenges, it is important to underscore the variousachievements highlighted in the presentation titled "Strengthening Child and FamilySystems in Georgia," as well as in this article. This presentation was delivered on March19, 2024, at the Social Work International Scientific & Practice-Based Conference onTransformative Change for Child and Family Well-Being. The conference was dedicatedto the enduring memory of one of the pioneering social workers, Maya Mgliashvili, andcoincided with the Global Day of Social Work. This article discusses the development of social work specializations within the state childcare system, unified approaches to assessing and responding to the risk of child andadolescent suicide across all state sectors, and the modernization of social work practiceswithin the education system. These initiatives establish a strong foundation for advancing certain aspects outlined in the Georgian law on social work and serve as a promisingmodel for other countries seeking similar reforms.