Nowon-gu Expands Human Safety Network to Eliminate Welfare Blind Spots

Distributed 'Emergency Welfare Support System' Educational Materials to 289 Locations Including Disability Welfare Facilities and Multicultural Centers... Distributed Easy-to-Understand Case-Based Promotional Materials and Posted Notices at 1,592 Apartment Security Offices

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) is actively working to identify families in crisis by utilizing various human safety nets such as welfare center and nursing institution workers, and members of functional organizations at the Dong Community Service Center.

The district is focusing on discovering welfare recipients centered around the Dong Community Service Center. In December of last year, it distributed the “Dong Community Service Center Will Visit You” informational materials to guide various support systems. However, many people still do not know about the emergency welfare support system, and there is a strong stereotype that emergency situations must be reported to the police station, so even if they recognize families in crisis, it is rare for them to contact the community center.

Accordingly, the district is focusing on training related institution workers and promoting awareness in apartment complexes.

First, training for related institution workers. A training PPT material that allows a comprehensive understanding of various and detailed emergency welfare support systems was produced and distributed so that welfare centers and others can frequently use it as educational material.

Educational materials were distributed to a total of 289 locations including facilities related to persons with disabilities, multicultural family support centers, long-term care institutions, medical welfare facilities, and 19 Dong Community Service Centers within the district.

Based on the educational materials, each institution provides detailed training to workers on the visiting Dong Community Service Center, emergency welfare support, and the mandatory reporting system, enabling workers to play the role of a human safety net actively identifying families in crisis.

In particular, the Dong Community Service Center plans to conduct education on the emergency welfare system during meetings of functional organizations such as the Residents’ Autonomy Committee to actively identify families in crisis.

Separate group training will be conducted for about 2,000 care workers in the caregiving sector who meet residents most closely, such as nursing assistants, life managers, and disability activity supporters.

Promotion in residential areas such as apartment complexes will also be strengthened.

First, promotional materials were distributed to 1,529 apartment complexes. The materials list specific cases of families in crisis, such as when bills and flyers are piled up or when children are seen dressed inappropriately for the season, so that security guards, neighborhood leaders, and neighbors can immediately report these cases, including contact information for the Dong Community Service Center.

Post-management of emergency welfare recipients is also thorough. When welfare-related workers and residents discover and report families in crisis to the Dong Community Service Center, the district determines the emergency status, visits the site within 48 hours, decides on prior support, and then conducts eligibility screening. If necessary, connections with organizations such as the Education Welfare Foundation and the Community Chest of Korea are arranged.

Last year, the emergency living support funds paid by the district amounted to about 2.225 billion KRW across approximately 48,000 cases.

Currently, the district operates the “Integrated Support Center for Families in Crisis” in cooperation with the Nowon Police Station for rapid response and counseling services in cases of domestic violence, neglect, abuse, and other incidents.

Additionally, the “Nowon-gu Care SOS Center” project provides temporary emergency care services for individuals who have difficulty with daily life due to sudden accidents or illnesses of themselves or their caregivers.

District Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, care gaps and families in crisis are expected to increase. We will strengthen promotion and support to prevent cases of extreme choices due to lack of information.”