Reducing Welfare Blind Spots for At-Risk Youth and Their Parents

Strengthening Support Systems for At-Risk Youth and Their Parents
Enactment of Enforcement Decree and Rules for the Youth Welfare Support Act
Establishment of Legal Basis for Integrated Information Support System for At-Risk Youth
Specification of Legal Grounds and Support Details for Youth Parents

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The age limit for special support for living expenses of at-risk youth will be expanded to those aged 24 and under. The Enforcement Decree and Enforcement Rules of the "Youth Welfare Support Act," which specify support such as medical care and education for young parents facing difficulties in raising children, will be implemented.

On the 23rd, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced that, according to the revised Youth Welfare Support Act enacted in March, the Enforcement Decree and Enforcement Rules containing detailed implementation matters related to the establishment of a dedicated organization for operating an integrated support system for at-risk youth by local governments, the construction of an integrated support information system for at-risk youth, and family, welfare, and educational support for young parents will be enforced from the 24th.

The Enforcement Decree defines the scope of work to allow various at-risk youth support information to be provided and service applications to be accepted in one integrated information system. It also establishes a basis for linking information on child abuse, management information from suicide prevention centers and mental health welfare centers, and psychological vulnerability information of military service members to enable early identification of at-risk youth and prompt intervention by identifying necessary services.

It also includes detailed support contents so that the state and local governments can provide young parents aged 24 and under with family support such as child-rearing guidance and emotional support, basic living maintenance, welfare support including legal and medical assistance, and educational support such as returning to school and taking qualification exams.

The age for special support, which provides living expenses and treatment costs to at-risk youth who are not under the protection of guardians, has been expanded from the current 9 to 18 years old to up to 24 years old.

Furthermore, by revising the Enforcement Rules, qualification standards for dedicated public officials and private experts in the dedicated organization for integrated support for at-risk youth established in local governments have been set, and the professionalism and functions have been strengthened by allowing the head and the practical manager of the dedicated organization to be appointed as dedicated public officials. When the state or local governments entrust youth organizations with the operation of youth welfare institutions and welfare facilities, the contract period has been extended from 3 years to 5 years.

Jeong Young-ae, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, said, "Through the enforcement of this law, the institutional foundation for supporting at-risk youth has been further strengthened, and young parents who were previously in blind spots can now raise their children stably. We will further strengthen cooperation among related agencies to effectively support at-risk youth and expand policy support for young parents."