VDC Zasavje

Zasavje Occupational Activity Centre (Varstveno delovni center Zasavje, VDC) is a public social welfare institution in the Upper Sava Valley, which provides social inclusion, work and daycare to 150 mentally and physically challenged adults. Housing in two residential units and community is provided to 30 persons. There are 50 regular full-time employees. Operating the E-Qalin quality management system in team spirit, the organization encourages development and inclusion of its users and their relatives, employees and volunteers in the planning, improvement projects and final results of the institution’s operations. The institution operates transparently and economically. The key interest groups (users, relatives and employees) express high levels of satisfaction with the facility in question. Since the very foundation of the organization on January 6, 1984, the key principal has been based on a social model grounded on a complete integration of an individual into society. Mission: The users are given different alternatives, individual treatment, safe environment and socialization. Their weaknesses are minimized and overshadowed by their strengths which are strengthened and emphasized. Their relatives are included in every step of the way. Greatly encouraged are personal development and team work of employees. Assets provided are managed responsibly and economically. Vision: The organization strives toward keeping and improving a qualitative, innovative and well known Occupational Activity Centre in Slovenia as well as abroad. Social assistance activities which, in accordance with Social Assistance Act, include care, guidance and employment under special conditions, are carried out by the organization in question. Institutional care is provided in residential units and communities. EMPLOYMENT UNDER SPECIAL CONDITIONS is provided by following programs: 1. VDC program (handworks, sewing, packaging, innovative gifts …) 2. Cooperation program (work for other companies’ needs) 3. Other works (housework, maintenance work, marketplace sales …). DAYCARE is provided every working day from Monday to Friday. It comprises activities which encourage physical development, protection and safety of the entitled persons. Furthermore, it includes personal care, organized meals and protection of an individual, implementation of hygiene measures, social care which enables normal, healthy and safe way of living, company and support, organization of transportation, etc. INSTITUTIONAL CARE is provided to the users living in residential units and communities all year round. This type of care replaces and fulfills functions of family and home. GUIDANCE is provided on daily basis by employees. It comprises: preserving and developing independence, providing help with personal/individual plans and solving personal and social distress, preserving and developing communication skills as well as applying already acquired knowledge and skills, ensuring active leisure time, encouraging development of social relations, active integration into society, therapies and correction of disorders, social welfare, counseling with parents. Of great importance as part of the guidance are above standard activities, which take place on daily basis according to a schedule that is beforehand prepared by employees and users. On a regular basis, more than 40 activities are carried out: - sports activities (soccer, basketball, Nordic walking, swimming, skiing, table tennis …), - cultural activities (dramatic society, library, choir, music and dancing workshops …) - project activities (summer and winter holidays, virtue project …) - rehabilitation activities (hydro massage, hand massage, electrical stimulation …) - cooperation with local environment (cooperation with different organizations and societies in organizing sports, cultural and social events with a common goal of increased integration of the users in local environment …) The program also provides educational workshops