Published on: 2026-09-03
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
A multi-level support system is being created in the capital for families in difficult life situations. The city provides targeted professional assistance — from emergency and crisis cases to long-term support. The article on mos.ru explains how this system works.
Support for families
The city support ecosystem includes 22 institutions, including 13 family centers, the ‘Otradnoye’ resource center, the Crisis Center for Assistance to Women and Children, social rehabilitation centers, as well as five special family centers that specialize in helping children with developmental disabilities. Specialists work at more than 80 locations.
If a family finds itself in a difficult life situation, employees come to help family centers. Their support is comprehensive: they help to understand the causes of the crisis, establish communication between loved ones, restore resources and an atmosphere of trust. These are individual and family psychological consultations, as well as legal and social support. Work is carried out with both parents and children.
Family mediation holds a special place in the system supporting city residents. Its goal is to help close individuals establish dialogue and resolve contentious situations. If it is not possible to preserve the family, mediators facilitate an amicable divorce without lengthy court proceedings. Consultations are conducted in all districts. Thanks to the work of mediators, in seven out of 10 cases, the parties manage to reach a compromise and agreement.
Moscow became the first region in Russia to implement a mediation mechanism into the city’s social support system. Currently, the capital’s successful experience is being extended to other regions of the country.
Foster families: support at every stage
Moscow does everything possible to ensure that every child grows up and is raised in a loving family. However, there are situations when children lose their loved ones, and in these difficult moments the city takes care of them.
“Our main goal is to ensure that every child grows up in a family, feeling needed and loved. We don’t just help to find a family. We support it at every stage, providing tools and assistance to strengthen relationships. It is important that both parents and children know: they are not alone, the city is always nearby. After all, support is needed not only until the age of 18 but also at the start of adult life,” noted Tatyana Danko, head of guardianship and trusteeship department.
Department of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Moscow.
The foster care mechanisms in the capital are constantly evolving and improving, but the approach remains individualized in each case. Today, about 95 percent of orphans, approximately 16 thousand children, are raised in foster families, and only five percent—less than a thousand—remain in institutions. To help these children find their mothers and fathers as well, the Moscow guardianship has launched the project “Every Child Deserves a Family.” Its essence is the simultaneous preparation of both children and prospective parents. Specialists assist in matching the needs of the children with the competencies of candidates for foster parents to find the most compatible combinations.
An important stage on the path to foster parenting is preparation. There are 18 foster parent schools operating in the city, all following a unified program. Before enrolling in the preparation course, residents attend an informational meeting where specialists help them understand whether becoming a foster parent is truly their conscious desire. This approach helps to avoid impulsive decisions and prepare the family for real challenges.
The city supports foster families at every stage — from the moment the decision is made until the child reaches adulthood. Each foster family has a curator in the guardianship authorities — they are always in contact and ready to assist with any issues. In addition, the family can enter into a support agreement: specialists from family centers will provide legal and psychological assistance, help build relationships, and guide them through the adaptation period.
A wide range of benefits and payments are provided for foster families. You can learn about them in the section “How the city will help” on the “My New Family” portal. This resource has existed for 5.5 years and collects all the necessary information for those interested in the topic of supporting orphaned children.
The project for property support of foster families deserves special attention. According to its terms, parents must take in at least five pupils from the capital’s centers for orphans, with at least three of them being over 10 years old, or having disabilities, or being biological siblings. During participation in the project, the family is provided with an apartment.
After the age of 18, the young people are not left without support: they are accompanied by the post-orphanage patronage service. Specialists help young men and women adapt to independent life, develop necessary social skills, and confidently take their first steps into the adult world.
Support for families with children is provided within the framework of the national project “Family”. More details about Russia’s national projects and the capital’s contribution can be found at special page.
To learn how the capital has changed in recent years, what initiatives aimed at making residents’ lives even more comfortable are currently being implemented, and what awaits Moscow and its inhabitants in the near future, you can visit the large-scale special project on the portal mos.ru, dedicated to the development of the capital’s key sectors. Among them are transport, industry, healthcare, education, sports, and construction.
On the project page “Social support and employment of the population” you can learn about opportunities for citizens in need of support. The capital provides comprehensive assistance to families facing difficult life situations, as well as to people with disabilities and participants in the special military operation. In Moscow Longevity Centers Regular fitness sessions and yoga, lectures and other events take place. In addition, the capital’s employment service offers retraining and the opportunity to acquire a new in-demand profession.
Get the main news promptly on the official Moscow city channels in messengers “Max” and “Telegram”.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the information source. It is an accurate report of what the source asserts and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.