Jagodina Strengthens Support for Children with Developmental Difficulties through Family-Oriented Early Intervention

On 1 July 2026, the City of Jagodina received IT and educational equipment to enhance the integrated Family-Oriented Early Intervention (FOEI) service, intended for children up to six years of age with developmental delays and disabilities, as well as their families.

Family-Oriented Early Intervention is a modern support model based on international and European standards that places the family at the centre of the child support process. Its development in Serbia began in 2018, when the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry for Family Welfare and Demography, and the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs signed the “Call to Action for the Improvement of Early Childhood Development in the Republic of Serbia”, confirming their joint commitment to strengthening cross-sectoral support for children and families.

Through the FOEI model, professionals from the health, education and social protection sectors work as a single transdisciplinary team to provide families with timely and coordinated support in their natural environment – at home, in preschool and in the community.

In Serbia, around 12 per cent of young children face developmental risks and difficulties, while approximately five per cent of children under the age of six require more intensive developmental support. Although around 4,000 children and their families benefit from Family-Oriented Early Intervention services each year, it is estimated that the need for this type of support is many times greater. Expanding the network of FOEI teams therefore remains one of the priorities for improving early childhood development in Serbia.

Nikola Tarbuk, Secretary General of the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM), emphasized the key role of local self-governments in developing integrated services for children and families.

“Local self-government has a unique position in connecting and coordinating the work of the health, social protection and preschool education systems. Through cross-sectoral cooperation, we create the conditions for delivering integrated, innovative and high-quality services that place the user at the centre of attention. This is precisely why the role of local government is irreplaceable – it is the driving force that enables different systems to function as one,” said Tarbuk.

Since the beginning of the development of the Family-Oriented Early Intervention network in Serbia, capacities for delivering this service have been strengthened in 20 administrative districts. Through the cooperation of UNICEF, the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities and the Belgrade Psychological Centre, within the programme “PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature”, support has been provided to 25 towns and municipalities across Serbia, including nine administrative district centres and 16 smaller municipalities. Equipment has been provided for institutions from the health, education and social protection systems participating in the delivery of FOEI services.

“It is encouraging to see so many partners working together to improve support for children and their families. I would like to thank the City of Jagodina, our partner SCTM, all institutions participating in the programme, and especially the members of the FOEI team for their dedication. As these services continue to expand, we must ensure that they reach the children who need them most – children with developmental difficulties, children living at risk of poverty and children from the Roma community. Outreach services and continued investment are essential to ensure that no child is left behind,” said Carol Vinyo, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Serbia.

The FOEI team in Jagodina completed its training at the end of 2025 and has been providing intensive support to families since the beginning of this year. The team consists of nine professionals from the primary healthcare centre, preschool institution, social welfare centre and resource centre. So far, 12 families have been included in intensive support, while the Development Counselling Centre additionally monitors and provides support to around eight more families every day.

“I first learned about this service at the preschool, where I was advised to contact the team. Since we joined the programme, I have noticed progress in my child, but it has also made things much easier for me as a parent because I always have support and know who I can turn to. I am very satisfied with the team's work and believe this service is extremely valuable. I would recommend it to all parents who need additional support,” said Jovana Novaković, the mother of a child receiving FOEI services.

Family-Oriented Early Intervention is based on a partnership between professionals and parents, who jointly define priorities and tailor support to the needs of each child and family.

“Family-Oriented Early Intervention means that we see every family as a partner and adapt support to its needs. Thanks to the cooperation of the local self-government, institutions and our partners, we now have the conditions to provide children and their families with timely, coordinated and high-quality support during the most important period of their development,” said Katarina Mihajlović, Coordinator of the FOEI Team in Jagodina.

In addition to the support of national institutions, local self-governments play a key role in the development of FOEI services. So far, four local self-governments have signed protocols regulating the provision of FOEI services, while more than 16 local self-governments have, during this year, adopted measures and allocated a total of RSD 15.6 million to ensure their sustainability and further development.

The equipment was provided within the programme “PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature”, jointly implemented by UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA and UNEP with the support of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and financial assistance from the Government of Switzerland, in cooperation with the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities and the Belgrade Psychological Centre.