In a momentous event underscoring the commitment to social welfare, the هيئة الرعاية الأسرية celebrated the graduation of 18 employees who participated in a specialized professional development program in case management. This program, conducted in collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi‘s Executive Education Office and the Silver School of Social Work, has been instrumental in enhancing the skills of these professionals, enabling them to provide tailored social support services to families and individuals in Abu Dhabi.
Enhancing Professional Skills for Family Welfare
The case management development program is notably the first of its kind in the region, emphasizing its unique importance. It equips employees with specialized scientific knowledge based on best practices, empowering them to fulfill their duties as the first line of defense in delivering family care. This program not only safeguards the fundamental rights of families but also promotes the overall welfare of individuals in Abu Dhabi.
A Milestone for Social Welfare
Salama Al Ameri, Director General of the هيئة الرعاية الأسرية, stated, “This program represents a qualitative leap toward achieving our social welfare objectives and showcases the الهيئة’s commitment to enhancing the efficiency of the family care system. It reflects our ongoing efforts to foster cooperation among various entities to build national capacities that meet the evolving needs of Abu Dhabi’s diverse community.”
A Shared Vision for Community Development
During the ceremony, Al Ameri highlighted that “today, we celebrate the graduation of this cohort of specialists, contributing to the development of a sustainable social care model that places families at the core of our priorities.” The partnership with NYU Abu Dhabi’s Executive Education Office has created a robust foundation that the الهيئة can expand upon, working towards building a more inclusive, compassionate, and resilient community where every individual not only receives support but is also empowered to thrive.
Collaborative Efforts for a Better Future
In alignment with the “Community Year 2025” initiative, this celebration embodies the objectives outlined by the Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi to enhance the well-being of independent and stable families. The الهيئة’s commitment to unifying joint efforts significantly contributes to developing an integrated social case management system, improving service delivery quality for targeted groups.
Dr. Michael Lindsey, Dean of the Silver School of Social Work at NYU, remarked, “We take pride in our partnership with NYU Abu Dhabi’s Executive Education Office and the هيئة الرعاية الأسرية to provide a program that enables practitioners in Abu Dhabi to acquire the essential tools, knowledge, and global perspectives necessary for effective social case management.” He affirmed that this collaboration exemplifies a commendable model of how academic institutions and governmental bodies can synergize their efforts to create a sustainable social impact.
The graduation of these participants marks the culmination of an intensive training path designed to deliver a comprehensive professional program. Emphasizing organized scientific methodologies, the program aims to develop core competencies and enhance the professional efficiency of case management practitioners in Abu Dhabi. The graduates have already begun applying their newfound skills in service centers across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, integrating essential principles of compassion, respect, transparency, integrity, and responsibility into their daily practice, thus enriching the quality of family welfare.
The training program, delivered by the Silver School of Social Work at NYU, was launched under a mutual agreement aimed at enhancing case management efficiency through specialized training opportunities focused on core skills and global best practices. It included three main units addressing issues related to children, adolescents, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. The program also organized field visits to several social institutions in New York City, allowing participants to explore global best practices in social welfare and adapt these insights to meet the unique needs of the Abu Dhabi community.
Graduates expressed gratitude during the ceremony for the knowledge and skills acquired over nine months, reflecting the هيئة الرعاية الأسرية’s dedication to promoting a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing within the social sector of the emirate.