With the support of the GCF, Milan will enhance its reception for migrant children and their caregivers by providing them with personalized educational and psychosocial services. The First Steps in Milan project will focus on families with children aged zero to six, especially recently reunified families or those who have recently been granted asylum in Italy.
Through the project, these families will have access to a team of education, psycho-pedagogical and neuropsychiatric experts who will define personalized educational plans for their children. These experts will also support children’s enrollment into existing educational services, including Milan’s school system. Children in the program will also participate in creative workshops and visit local playgrounds.
While children participate in early childhood education and care services, the project will provide caregivers job readiness, job placement, and Italian language courses. Caregivers will also attend workshops on how to access essential educational, health, and social services.
In implementing First Steps in Milan, the Comune di Milano is building its capacity to deliver early childhood development services to migrant families. The city is training its education and social affairs service providers to better assess the needs of and carry out activities with the target groups; enhancing the cooperation between the Welfare, Health and Education Departments of Milan, and promoting the long-term socioeconomic inclusion of migrant families by taking a two-generational approach focused on both children and caregivers.