2005-05-17

HISTORY OF MINISTRY FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILY AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA

7^th November 2002 – recently elected 8^th Parliament forms government lead by prime minister Einars Repse. For the first time there is position of Minister for Special Assignments for Children and Family Affairs established.

1^st January 2003 – former Center for protection of children’s rights is transformed to Secretariat of Minister for Special Assignments for Children and Family Affairs. The order “About reorganization of Center for protection of children’s rights and establishment of Ministry for Children and Family Affairs” became valid on 27^th of December 2002.

4^th February 2003 – Regulation of Secretariat of Minister for Special Assignments for Children and Family Affairs is issued under paragraph 1 in Article 16 of State administration structure law.  

January 2004 – State inspecting officers for protection of the rights of the child and advisors for family affairs start their work in all regions of Latvia.

29^th April 2004 – Parliament accepts draft plan for reorganization of Secretariat of Minister for Special Assignments for Children and Family Affairs to Ministry for Children and Family Affairs. The change of legal status of Secretariat is necessary because of increasing amount of work and duties, and because state’s children and family policy development is continuous task.

With an order of Cabinet of Ministers decision to reorganize Secretariat of Minister for Special Assignments for Children and Family Affairs to Ministry for Children and Family Affair is made. 

3^rd August 2004 - “Statute of Ministry for Children and Family Affairs” is published. Ministry for Children and Family Affairs becomes the leading state administration institution protecting children and family rights.

1^st August 2004 - The Maintenance Guarantee fond starts its work. It works under direct accountability of Ministry for Children and Family Affairs. Fond provides minimum maintenance for those children, who do not receive it from own parents. Spent money is recovered in regress procedure; it could be even money deduction from parents’ pension.

1^st October 2004 - Ministry for Children and Family Affairs enter upon duties of Ministry of Education and Science, ie. development, organization and coordination of state youth policy.

March 2005 - the first coordinator of youth affairs begins its work in Kurzeme region.