Speaker Series Event Report: Dr.  Toby Long on "The Status of Services to Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities in Ukraine"

On April 18nd, 2024, the Global Mental Health Initiative hosted Dr. Toby Long, a professor at Georgetown University's Department of Pediatrics and Center for Child and Human Development. In light of the Russia-Ukraine war, her lecture, titled "The Status of Services to Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities in Ukraine," highlighted the profound effects of war on vulnerable populations in Ukraine, particularly children with disabilities (CwD). She reports that since the onset of the conflict, over 11 million Ukrainians have been displaced, including 4 million children. Among those affected, 165,000 children with disabilities face heightened challenges, especially in institutional settings that are often poorly resourced, overcrowded, and lacking adequate medical care. The war has also created significant barriers for evacuating children with disabilities due to limited access to accessible transport and shelters.

The hardships extend to families and early childhood intervention (ECI) professionals, who work to provide support amid intense stress, displacement, and resource scarcity. Forced migration has left many families in unstable living conditions, and those with children requiring specialized care face a higher risk of separation during evacuations. ECI providers continue to offer remote support despite disruptions due to power outages and safety concerns. Mutual support between families and professionals has strengthened, as shared challenges create a unique partnership within the community.

Dr. Long emphasized the resilience of Ukraine’s early childhood intervention (ECI) system, which is adapting to meet these urgent needs. Despite difficult circumstances, ECI professionals continue supporting families, often through remote services, to maintain stability and continuity for children. The Ukrainian Association of Early Intervention has implemented new standards focused on family-centered, routines-based care and transdisciplinary teamwork, all aligned with international best practices. Recent initiatives also include training programs and the development of community-based family homes as alternatives to institutional care. In face of the war, Ukraine's ECI community exemplifies the resilience needed to provide ongoing, meaningful support to families and children with disabilities, helping them regain a sense of stability and control amidst the turmoil.