Gangdong-gu, 2023 Dream Start Project Wins 'Presidential Award'

Supporting 136 Vulnerable Children for 10 Years in Business Operations

Seoul Gangdong-gu (District Mayor Lee Su-hee) announced on the 1st that it was selected as an outstanding institution in the 2023 Dream Start project operation evaluation and received the Presidential Citation. The award ceremony was held the day before at The-K Hotel Gyeongju.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Child Rights Protection Agency evaluated the overall operation of the Dream Start project over three years from 2020 to 2022 for 69 metropolitan autonomous districts nationwide through document and case evaluations, case management interviews, and surveys. This time, 14 outstanding Dream Start institutions (top 20%) were selected.

The evaluation areas included four categories: ▲organizational composition management ▲integrated case management ▲community cooperation ▲satisfaction, covering 10 domains, 28 indicators, and an excellent case management contest.

Gangdong-gu received the highest score nationwide in the integrated case management category and was also highly rated in satisfaction and the excellent case management contest, earning the honor of being selected as an outstanding institution.

Gangdong-gu was evaluated for providing exemplary case management by ▲actively discovering cases to provide preventive case management for ‘intensive case children’ ▲strictly adhering to case meeting and reassessment cycles to actively understand changes in children and families ▲practicing partnership with the subjects ▲building efficient networks with related organizations in the region.

Gangdong-gu started the Dream Start project in 2013 focusing on four vulnerable concentrated areas and currently provides stable nurturing environments and holistic customized integrated services covering physical, cognitive, and emotional aspects to 136 children. It is also committed to the healthy growth and development of vulnerable children.

Mayor Lee Su-hee said, “Gangdong-gu will accompany vulnerable children with thorough and sincere welfare services,” adding, “We will spare no warm interest and support so that all children can be respected and grow up in a healthy environment.”