Author:
Mariia Kucova
Representatives from the European Paediatric Psychology Network (EPPN) — Prof. Rikard K Wicksell, a psychotherapist at the Karolinska Institute, and Dr. Lauren M Potthoff, a pediatric psychologist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago — recently visited Ukraine. During their visit, they met with the team at the “Voices of Children” headquarters, learned about the Foundation’s work in Kyiv and Lviv, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize their collaboration.
We valued learning about the important work that “Voices of Children” is doing and were impressed with the ways in which they are supporting children living through the war. “Voices of Children” plays a central role in supporting resilience for children and families and we look forward to continuing the European Paediatric Psychology Network’s partnership with “Voices of Children” to further their mission,
said the visitors.
said the visitors.
Foundation’s work on the ground
Rikard and Lauren witnessed firsthand how the “Voices of Children” team works with children at its centers in Kyiv and Lviv, as well as at a modular village for internally displaced families near Liubymivka in the Kyiv Oblast (Region).
They also traveled to the recently liberated village of Katiuzhanka in the Kyiv Oblast, where the Foundation’s mobile team provided support to children, parents, and teachers for seven months in 2022–2023. The community warmly welcomed the “Voices of Children” team, expressing deep appreciation for the psychological support they received and the techniques the community continues to use for emotional stability. The children even tried communicating with Rikard and Lauren in English and gifted them drawings.
In the case of Katyuzhanka, we saw how the work of psychologists helps facilitate post-traumatic growth,
emphasized Nataliia Sosnovenko, a psychologist and head of the Foundation’s Center for Psychological Expertise and Methodology.
emphasized Nataliia Sosnovenko, a psychologist and head of the Foundation’s Center for Psychological Expertise and Methodology.
Additionally, the foreign partners were shown the site where the Foundation plans to build a rehabilitation facility called “Childhood Center”. It will be designed by the AIMM architectural bureau, with children involved in the visualization process.
We have long dreamed of creating a dedicated space where we can carry out all of our psychosocial and rehabilitation programs. From the experience we have gained worldwide, we understand that for rehabilitation, not only trained personnel and program content are crucial, but also the appropriate space,
said Olena Rozvadovska, head of the “Voices of Children” Foundation.
said Olena Rozvadovska, head of the “Voices of Children” Foundation.
Foundation's contribution to psychological science
The international guests were given an in-depth presentation of how “Voices of Children” selects and trains its specialists, as well as monitors the quality of their work. They were particularly impressed by the Center for Psychological Expertise and Methodology (CPEM), which professionally supports the Foundation's staff, develops and evaluates programs, and selects diagnostic methodologies to assess effectiveness, and more.
In the midst of active warfare, we are not just helping people, but also analyzing the effectiveness of our work. Our Foundation can make a significant contribution to Ukrainian psychological science,
asserted Ruslana Moroz, a psychologist and member of CPEM.
asserted Ruslana Moroz, a psychologist and member of CPEM.
“Voices of Children” has become a key part of Ukraine’s mental health system, working closely with specialized medical centers. One such facility is the Western Ukrainian Specialized Children’s Medical Centre (WUSCMC), which Rikard and Lauren visited while in Lviv. There, they met with child psychiatrist Nataliia Masiak, head of the Medical and Social Center “Dialogue” at the WUSCMC, and a member of CPEM, along with her team.
In addition, Rikard and Lauren met with representatives from the Ukrainian Catholic University, which collaborates with the Foundation on educational courses, and with the leadership of Lviv National Medical University, where future collaboration with the Foundation is also a possibility.
Memorandum of Understanding: terms and conditions
Rikard K Wicksell and Olena Rozvadovska signed the “Memorandum of Understanding” between the European Paediatric Psychology Network and the “Voices of Children” Foundation. The purpose of the memorandum is to strengthen cooperation and promote mutual understanding between the two organizations. The agreement focuses on:
- training Ukrainian mental health professionals through joint projects, international conferences, seminars, and workshops;
- conducting collaborative research projects.
The memorandum will remain in effect for four years, with the possibility of further extension.
It is also worth mentioning that from April to August 2023, “Voices of Children”, in partnership with the European Paediatric Psychology Network, held a series of webinars on “Children’s Mental Health”. This project received high praise at The Society of Pediatric Psychology in New Orleans and at the EPPN conference in Stirling, Scotland.
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