Government creates the National Residential Care Service to strengthen child protection
In a strategic move to strengthen the child protection system in the Dominican Republic, President Luis Abinader formalized the creation of the National Residential Care Service (Señar) through Decree 676-26. This new body, which will operate as a decentralized entity under the Ministry of the Presidency, has the central mission of transforming the management of care programs for children and adolescents in vulnerable situations.
A comprehensive and specialized approach
The objective of the Señar is to provide residential care that prioritizes the best interests of the minor, under the principles of exceptionality and temporality. The operational structure of the new service will allow for differentiated and high-quality care, based on technical criteria that include:
- Classification by profiles: age, sex, and developmental stage.
- Assessment of risk levels.
- Personalized attention according to physical and mental health needs.
To guarantee the comprehensive well-being of minors, the Council will work in constant coordination with the Ministry of Public Health and the National Health Service, ensuring that each child receives the necessary clinical treatment and psychosocial rehabilitation during their stay in foster homes and residential centers.
The creation of the Señar represents a fundamental step towards the modernization of the child protection system, ensuring that every minor under State guardianship receives specialized, dignified, and efficient treatment.
Alofoke Deportes Editorial Team
Roadmap: Transition and goals by 2027
To ensure a smooth transition, a Transition and Implementation Commission has been established. This multidisciplinary team, coordinated by the Ministry of the Presidency and composed of various ministerial portfolios and Conani, will be tasked with designing the new national network of residential services. Among its main objectives is the goal of increasing the system’s installed capacity by 30% by the year 2027.
Conani, for its part, will maintain its unalterable role as the governing body of the National Protection System, technically supervising that the operation of the Señar complies with the required standards. The formal commencement of operations for this institution is scheduled for January 1, 2027, ensuring the continuity of services and the legal protection of all files and the personnel involved.
With this measure, the current administration reaffirms its commitment to providing the State with modern tools that guarantee a secure future for children and adolescents at risk throughout the national territory.
