YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, NOYAN TAPAN. There are now 8 state orphanages in Armenia, with nearly 900 children living there. 5 charitable orphanages operate in the country. During the November 28 press conference, Lala Ghazarian, the head of the department on problems of families, women and children of the RA ministry of labor and social issues, said that these orphanages take bnot only children left without parental care but also those from vulnerable families. According to her, every year 200 children return to their parents thanks to the policy adopted by the government - the assistance provided to such families. L. Ghazarian said that the order of admission to orphanages has been made stricter as there are currently 7 boarding institutions for children from vulnerable families. She expressed an opinion that the number of orphanages should be reduced because children should live and receive upbringing in their families. With this aim the government is implementing a number of programs, aimed, in particular, at creating the institution of guardian family in Armenia. She said that such pilot programs have already been implemented in Lori and Gegharkunik marzes, as a result of which 25 children were placed in gurdian families. The department head attached importance to programs on state assistance to orphanage leavers. Under these programs, orphanage leavers receive the necessary work, education and medical aid. Over the past two years, 120 leavers of orphanages got apartments thanks to state assistance.

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