Disadvantaged Children – Between Poverty and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Children from disadvantaged socioeconomic and family backgrounds are one of the categories most severely affected by COVID-19. In this article, we analyze the impact of the pandemic on two categories of disadvantaged children: children living with their family of origin and who are the beneficiaries of day center services (DCS) and children living in family-type residential centers (FRC). The data analysis also reveals how public institutions (schools, administrative institutions) and private institutions (NGOs, business areas, representatives of cults, and national minorities) can work together to identify solutions and take action to support disadvantaged children. From the methodological point of view, we opted for qualitative research. Research results reveal that the pandemic affected both categories of children (difficult access to basic needs, and services, risk of dropping out of school, difficulties in the process of family reunification) but also that the intervention and inter-institutional collaboration reduced the negative effects on children, families and the community.