CRC/C/GEO/CO/3 page 8 b) Use these recommendations as a tool for action in partnership with civil society and in particular with the involvement of children, to ensure that every child is protected from all forms of physical, sexual and mental violence and to gain momentum for concrete and, where appropriate, time-bound actions to prevent and respond to such violence and abuse; and (c) Seek technical assistance from UNICEF, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the World Health Organization (WHO) for the above- mentioned purposes. 4. Family environment and alternative care (arts. 5; 18 (paras. 1-2); 9-11; 19-21; 25; 27 (para. 4); and 39 of the Convention) Family environment 34. The Committee is deeply concerned that a large number of children are customarily placed in institutions due to the lack of adequate services and financial support to families or the absence of social service alternatives and effective gate-keeping mechanisms, and that most of the children placed in residential care are in fact not orphans. The Committee is also concerned that the social services network remains underdeveloped and that qualified social workers and social services are in short supply. The Committee also notes with concern that the current reforms focus mainly on children in institutions, and have not dealt with social exclusion issues such as poverty and domestic violence which could adequately address the needs of children and families at risk and effectively prevent the abandonment and institutionalization of children. 35. The Committee encourages the State party to allocate sufficient resources to provide adequate support and assistance through its social services system for all families, particularly those economically disadvantaged, up to the age of 18 years and their families, and those in rural and remote areas. The Committee further recommends that the Special Project on Poverty be expanded so that no child is placed under State care as a result of the poverty of his/her parents. Alternative care 36. While welcoming the progress achieved under the 2005-2008 National Plan of Action on the Protection of Children and Deinstitutionalization, the Committee remains concerned about the current state of institutional care and the pace of reunification of children with families. Furthermore, the Committee, while noting the adoption in 2006 of the national standards of childcare for alternative care institutions, remains concerned at the number of children in institutions that are neither State- funded nor regulated. The Committee is also concerned about the absence of any State mechanism monitoring and providing follow-up assistance for those leaving institutional care. 37. The Committee recommends that the State party expedite the deinstitutionalization programme, including reunification with families and the recruitment of foster parents. At the same time, the Committee recommends that the conditions in existing institutions be improved in the areas of nutrition, sanitation, training of staff, monitoring and visitation,