Dobong-gu, Nationwide First to Establish Early Detection System for Developmentally Delayed Infants and Toddlers

Dobong-gu Childcare Support Center and Dobong Disabled Welfare Center Establish Public-Private Partnership
Providing Early Detection and Treatment Support Services for Developmental Delays in Infants Under 24 Months

Dobong-gu (District Mayor Oh Eon-seok) Dream Start has established the nation’s first public-private cooperative system to early detect developmental delays in infants and toddlers.

Starting this month, the district announced that it will promote the ‘Infant and Toddler Discovery Support Project’ in collaboration with the district health center, Dobong-gu Childcare Comprehensive Support Center, and Dobong Disabled Welfare Center.

This project targets infants and toddlers under 24 months, a critical period in developmental stages, to preemptively identify children with potential behavioral issues such as language delays and responses to stimuli, and provide in-depth psychological assessments and treatment support.

The target group consists of infants and toddlers from vulnerable families with high-risk scores on maternal depression tests and child development evaluation scales among the ‘Seoul Child Health First Step’ recipients.

The main assessment items include the nutrition and health status of the child and primary caregiver, the child’s developmental delays, and family depression. The Dream Start team’s integrated child case managers visit the target families together with specialized infant and toddler nurses from the district health center to conduct evaluations.

For families facing complex issues such as infant and toddler developmental delays and depression, the integrated child case managers intervene by connecting them with related institutions in the community, including hospitals, psychological treatment centers, and child protection agencies, and continue integrated child case management.

Additionally, in cooperation with Dobong-gu Childcare Comprehensive Support Center and Dobong Disabled Welfare Center, various services are provided, including ▲1:1 intensive play coaching ▲customized parenting coaching visits to homes ▲support for sensory development play tools appropriate to developmental stages ▲parent education to improve awareness and strengthen capabilities.

Oh Eon-seok, Mayor of Dobong-gu, stated, “Since we have firmly established a cooperative system with child-related institutions in the region, we will use this foundation to early detect infants and toddlers with developmental delays and children in crisis within families to provide assistance.” He added, “We will continue to do our best to ensure holistic development through positive changes for children and families.”

Meanwhile, Dobong-gu Dream Start provides customized integrated services to vulnerable children under 12 years old to promote healthy growth and development, ensuring equal starting opportunities and laying the foundation for them to grow into healthy and happy members of society.