In Kstovo, a rehabilitation and social adaptation center for children with disabilities and special needs has opened at the "Scarlet Sail" center.

      Photo: Ministry of Social Development and Family Policy of the Nizhny Novgorod Region

      New opportunities for rehabilitation and social adaptation of children with disabilities and health limitations have emerged in the Kstovo district of Nizhny Novgorod. On March 31, a specialized department opened at the social rehabilitation center "Scarlet Sail" (Kstovo, Kstovskaya St., 5).

      The new department was visited by Elena Leonova, Deputy Minister of Social Development and Family Policy of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Margarita Ushakova, Commissioner for Children's Rights in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, and Svetlana Meller, Director of the ANO "Resource Center 'Children in the Family'." The Ministry of Social Development and Family Policy of the Nizhny Novgorod Region noted that there is currently a significant need for rehabilitation and social adaptation services for children with disabilities in the region. Currently, there are six centers operating in the social sphere of the region that specialize in providing assistance to such children. Previously, the "Scarlet Sail" center could accommodate only about 30 children per year, but with the opening of the new department, specialists will now be able to direct up to 150 young residents of Nizhny Novgorod.

      "It is important for us to make assistance to families raising children with health limitations accessible. Thanks to the support of the Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Gleb Nikitin, funds from the regional budget were allocated for the opening of this department within the framework of the Unified Model of Assistance to Children. Now the institution will be able to accept five times more children," emphasized Svetlana Meller. The new department is equipped with all necessary equipment, furniture, and educational materials. The premises include a classroom for school preparation, a salt cave, and a sensory room for psychological relaxation, rooms for teaching social and everyday skills, a training kitchen, creative workshops, a playroom, an adaptive and therapeutic physical culture room with a climbing wall, as well as offices for narrow-profile specialists for individual work.

      At the "Scarlet Sail" center, it was noted that equine therapy classes are also available for young visitors, organized in collaboration with one of the equestrian clubs. Additionally, adapted swimming classes are held for children at the local sports and recreation center.

      "It is difficult to overestimate the significance of opening this department. There is a need for such facilities in our region, and I am glad that Kstovo residents will no longer have to travel to Nizhny Novgorod for these services. I would like to highlight the importance of the family-preserving approach that we observe here," said Margarita Ushakova.

      The center is aimed at young residents of Nizhny Novgorod aged 2 to 18 with autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, speech disorders, and developmental delays. They work with speech therapists, defectologists, psychologists, neuropsychologists, specialists in adaptive and therapeutic physical culture and sensory integration, tutors, psychiatrists, as well as social work specialists.

      The center also has a rental point for essential rehabilitation, play, and developmental equipment for children aged 0 to 4 years. For families who have undergone rehabilitation at the center, post-support is provided, meaning further consultation and assistance from the institution's specialists.

      "It has always been important for us that the Nizhny Novgorod Region develops as a territory of equal opportunities. The opening of such departments as in Kstovo shows that families with special children are in the focus of our attention. We want them to feel our support. We are creating an environment where children can grow, learn, and feel needed. And the region is consistently moving towards ensuring that families with children with disabilities feel our support," commented Anton Greben, a deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, a member of the "United Russia" faction.

      The Ministry of Social Development and Family Policy of the region added that this year similar departments will also open at social rehabilitation centers for minors in the Sechenovsky and Balakhna districts, children's homes in Dzerzhinsk and Vyksa, as well as in the Gorodets municipal district. In total, about 70 million rubles have been allocated from the regional budget for this work in 2026.

      It was reminded that the reorganization of social institutions is being implemented within the framework of the "Unified Model of Assistance to Children" concept, which was developed by the Ministry of Social Development and Family Policy of the region in collaboration with the People's Front project "Region of Care." Supporting families raising children with health limitations and disabilities is one of the priority tasks within the framework of the implementation of the national project "Family."

      The national project "Family" started in the country in 2025 by the order of the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. The new national project is a successor to the previously active national projects "Demography" and "Culture." It includes activities aimed at the comprehensive development of families: expanding support measures, creating conditions for active longevity of the older generation, and ensuring quality and accessible medical care.

      Anna Imenova