Medina launches ambitious program to protect children

Santo Domingo. – President Danilo Medina on Tuesday launched the National Comprehensive Early Childhood Protection Plan, with five major initiatives to protect and care for children from birth to 5 years of age, to ensure their education, nourishment and health.

The first phase of the plan "Quisqueya starts with you" expands childcare centers and aims to build 100 new facilities to attend 22,500 children during this year.

The second phase seeks to implement a comprehensive care model in communities including the creation of Community Child Care Centers, and to accompany families in their own homes.

A third initiative trains and certifies for nannies and caregivers to help households, whose goal is to train around 47,000 caregivers in this administration.

In the National Palace ceremony, Medina also announced the first ever network of care centers for children with special needs, from birth to 10 years of age.

He said in coordination with the Office of the First Lady, five senior and technical capacity centers will be built in various regions, the first of which is already being built in Santo Domingo.