The Cabildo of Lanzarote has formalized the final awarding of the Social Agreements for a total value of 35.5 million euros, for a period of 7 years, with the aim of improving and expanding the services aimed at dependent and vulnerable people of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, through social initiative entities without profit, such as AFA, the Association of Relatives of Alzheimer's Patients and other dementias of Lanzarote; ADISLAN, the Association of People with Disabilities of Lanzarote and CRIBO, the Mental Health Association of Lanzarote.
During the press conference offered this Thursday, the president of the Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort, highlighted that "this action marks a milestone in the social policy of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, allowing to guarantee the continuity and improvement of care through social entities that have been carrying out an extraordinary work with the Third Sector for decades. We have made possible what they said was impossible."
Betancort stressed that "after years of incomprehensible disagreements, today is a particularly emotional day because, after just over a year of management, we repaired the institutional mistreatment suffered by these entities which have worked every day, tirelessly, for the most vulnerable. It is only fair to restore dignity to these people, their families and the hundreds of professionals who make these services possible," said the president.
For his part, the Minister of Social Welfare and Inclusion, Marci Acuña, thanked the joint work that has allowed the process to move forward. "This achievement is the result of collaboration between the Cabildo and social entities, restoring a relationship that was neglected in the past. Now we can ensure that quality care will be provided, guaranteeing fundamental services to those who need it most."
Acuña also stressed that these social agreements, approved by the Governing Council, "include the management of 228 public social and healthcare places, which represents an increase of 78 places compared to the current situation and cover areas such as the promotion of personal autonomy, psychosocial rehabilitation and support for people with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems."
An island model focused on people's well-being
During the press conference, the Minister of Social Welfare pointed out that "the Social Agreement is a legal tool available since 2019 and, thanks to the political will of the new Government group, today a giant step has been taken to consolidate the island model we want, focused on the care and social well-being of people."
"In addition," added Marci Acuña, "the more than 35 million euros of investment will directly impact the social development of Lanzarote and La Graciosa and will favor the generation of new jobs in the niche of care and social care, such as psychologists, physiotherapists or social workers."
The representatives of the entities benefiting from these awards were also present at the event. Thus, the president of AFA Lanzarote, Tina García; the president of ADISLAN, Loyola Hernández, and the president of CRIBO, Rosa González, agreed in highlighting that "after very difficult years, finally a stage begins where we will be able to continue working in the care of people with disabilities and counting on the best professionals."
Awarded services
The services awarded thanks to the social agreements include the Service for the promotion of personal autonomy for elderly people in a situation of dependency (SPAP), with a total of 100 places and with improvements such as complementary hairdressing, podiatry services and a program to combat unwanted loneliness; in addition to the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Center (CRPS), with 70 places, which incorporates training in gender perspective, suicide prevention and sports activities to support rehabilitation.
Likewise, the social agreements also include the management of the Residence for people with intellectual disabilities with a total of 35 places that will have programs of assisted therapies with animals and training for professionals and the program of Housing in community specialized in Mental Health with 23 places and that includes activities of dynamization of leisure and support to social integration.
With these definitive awards, the Cabildo of Lanzarote guarantees the provision of quality public services through social entities for the next seven years, strengthening the support network for the most vulnerable people and restoring tranquility to families and the more than 250 professionals who depend on these services.