Youth Safety Net Supporting High-Risk Youth Expanded to 22 Local Governments

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A, a child from a multicultural family who entered Korea at the age of 10, was living in a protective facility due to parental neglect but left without permission and was living alone in a goshiwon. A, who was isolated from the outside and suffered from severe depression and lethargy, even having thoughts of self-harm and suicide, was discovered by the Youth Safety Net Team in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, which provided psychological counseling and living space support.

On the 21st, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced that this year, 22 local governments including Ansan-si in Gyeonggi-do and Suncheon-si in Jeollanam-do will participate in the Youth Safety Net Team project. The local government-led Youth Safety Net Team project started with 9 locations in 2020, increased to 14 in 2021, and 20 in 2022.

The Youth Safety Net Team includes dedicated public officials for at-risk youth and private professionals (Youth Integrated Case Managers). They discover at-risk youth, connect them with support agencies, conduct local surveys on at-risk youth, and develop policies.

The Youth Counseling and Welfare Centers operating the Youth Safety Net Teams designate high-risk dedicated youth companions to provide outreach counseling services to at-risk youth.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and the Korea Youth Counseling and Welfare Institute will hold the "2023 Local Government Youth Safety Net Leading Project Briefing" online at 2 p.m. on the 22nd to share best practices and project achievements in operating the Youth Safety Net.

They will also discuss measures to effectively implement the strengthened support plan for high-risk youth announced by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family last November.

The Ministry selects new operating agencies considering local conditions such as youth population, number of at-risk youth, organizational capacity, and local government demand. Selected operating agencies receive project and operating expenses funded by the national government.

Local governments operating the Youth Safety Net Teams receive additional points in the "Local Government Joint Evaluation," and project managers who demonstrate outstanding performance in discovering and supporting at-risk youth receive commendations from the Minister of Gender Equality and Family.