The goal of the program “Empowering Professionals for Children at Risk” was to strengthen the professional capacities of experts working with children and youth in conflict with the law, family, school, or community, in order to ensure high-quality and sustainable provision of day care services within the social welfare system. The program had a strong preventive focus and aimed to enhance knowledge and skills in psychosocial work with children with behavioral problems.

As part of the program, a specialized professional training was conducted for employees and volunteers of the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Centers for Social Work, and other social welfare institutions. The training “Adolescent Self-Harm – Practical Guidelines for Assessment and Therapeutic Work” covered causes and forms of self-harm, risk assessment, differential diagnosis, the role of the family, and effective therapeutic interventions. The training was led by Dr. Jelena Srdanović Maraš, specialist in medical psychology and family psychotherapist, and Dr. Jasminka Marković, specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry and family psychotherapist.

Through the program, the professional capacities of 20 participants were strengthened, improving competencies in risk factor recognition, conducting interviews with adolescents, involving families in treatment, and applying effective therapeutic approaches. Strengthened professional teams represent a key resource for establishing and sustaining day care services, as well as improving prevention and early intervention for children and youth at risk.

The program “Empowering Professionals for Children at Risk” was implemented by the Center for Missing and Exploited Children in December 2025, with the support of the City of Novi Sad – City Administration for Social and Child Protection.