A small group of Russian health care workers, professionals and advocates have spent this week in Oak Ridge learning how local organizations help children and adults with mental and physical disabilities, including assistance through education and community programs.

The eight-day educational experience is part of the Open World Program, which is supported by Congress and designed to allow young professionals in Russia to visit their counterparts in the United States, said coordinator Ken Luckmann, Oak Ridge Sister City Support Organization secretary.

Hailing from St. Petersburg in the west to Lake Baikal in the east, the five Russians include a psychologist and a parent.

The delegation has met with health care workers and educators at the Emory Valley Center, Roane State Community College, Oak Ridge High School and the Michael Dunn Center in Kingston, Luckmann said. And they were scheduled to tour Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge on Friday (today) before flying home on Saturday.

The Russians, along with a facilitator and local coordinators, also attended a City Council meeting, toured the Smoky Mountains and Oak Ridge, and were scheduled to give presentations on social and political issues for mentally and physically challenged Russians, though the winter-like weather this week forced some schedule changes.

One big difference between the two countries: Russia still has orphanages for children, while the United States relies more on a foster care-based system, Luckmann said.

Both countries appear to have big group homes for adults, the Oak Ridge resident noted.

This week's "Open World Program" was hosted by the Oak Ridge Sister City Support Organization, which is designed to "promote and foster international friendship and brotherhood."

Oak Ridge, Tenn., has had sister city relationships with Naka-shi, Japan, since 1991 and with Obninsk, Russia, since 1992.