Family Care Authority Marks Graduation Of 18 Staff From Professional Development Programme In Abu Dhabi

The Family Care Authority (FCA), in collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi’s Office of Executive Education and NYU’s Silver School of Social Work, celebrated the graduation of 18 employees from the Family Cases Sector. These graduates completed the Case Management Professional Development Programme, which equips them with skills to deliver tailored social care services across Abu Dhabi.

The programme is unique in the region, providing social workers with specialised skills based on global best practices. This empowers participants to offer optimal family care, protect family rights, and enhance community wellbeing throughout Abu Dhabi. The initiative aligns with the UAE Year of Community 2025 theme, Hand in Hand, aiming to strengthen independent and stable families.

Salama Al Ameemi, Director-General of FCA, highlighted that the programme demonstrates FCA's commitment to holistic social sector goals. These include strengthening family cohesion, improving integrated services quality, and building national capacity for Abu Dhabi's diverse community needs. Collaboration with key stakeholders enhances coordination and advances the emirate’s family care system effectiveness.

Dr Michael A. Lindsey, Dean of NYU Silver School of Social Work, stated: "We are proud to partner with NYU Abu Dhabi’s Office of Executive Education and the Family Care Authority in delivering a programme that enables practitioners in Abu Dhabi to acquire the necessary tools, knowledge, and global perspectives for effective social case management. This social work professional development programme is the first of its kind in the UAE, and it reflects our shared commitment to developing compassionate, evidence-based social care systems that respond to the needs of individuals and families. The programme serves as a model for how academic institutions and government entities can work together to create a sustainable social impact."

The graduates have begun applying their new skills at service centres in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra. They focus on integrity, honesty, transparency, respect, accountability, care and compassion—key elements for effective case management—to enhance family care services delivery.

The training programme was launched under a joint agreement between FCA and NYU’s Silver School of Social Work. It aimed to improve case management through targeted professional development focusing on essential skills and best practices. Special attention was given to children, adolescents, the elderly and People of Determination.

Field Visits Enhance Learning

Participants also visited leading social institutions in New York City during their training. These field visits exposed them to global best practices in social care and protection. Such experiences help integrate international expertise into meeting Abu Dhabi's unique community needs effectively.

The graduation ceremony marked a significant milestone for FCA's collaboration with NYUAD OEE partners. Salama Al Ameemi noted that this partnership provides an innovative framework reinforcing their impact by fostering an inclusive community where individuals are supported to thrive.

The nine-month programme concluded with graduates celebrating their acquired knowledge and skills. This reflects FCA's dedication to promoting continuous learning within Abu Dhabi’s social sector.

With inputs from WAM