Revista Ciência em Extensão (Dec 2013)
A proposal for psychosocial intervention in a social assistance reference center in Minas Gerais
Abstract
The goal of this work is to reflect on the role of social psychologist at the Reference Center for Social Assistance (CRAS), considering the recent creation of the Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS) in Brazil. The research is based on the experiences acquired during the Scrap project – a public outreach program developed by the Research Laboratory for Psychosocial Intervention (Lapip) of the Department of Psychology of the University of São João del-Rei, in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The project has been in progress since 2008, in partnership with the CRAS of São João del-Rei. Its goals are to guarantee the right to play and to provide contributions in the area of environmental awareness. The program uses the methodology of workshops to develop construction of toys from scrap material that is zero cost, providing education based on affection in a group of children placed in a context of social vulnerability. The individuals involved are provided with a space for reconsidering their experiences and feelings, as well as for the exploration of conflicts in interpersonal relationships. It is our contention that in the context of public social assistance policies, the delivery of psychosocial intervention activities should have a focus on group care.
