342.15 Billion KRW Invested...
15 Projects to Be Implemented
Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province announced on the 25th that it will significantly strengthen its customized welfare system for each stage of life to guarantee the rights and improve the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities.
This year, the province will invest a total of 34.215 billion KRW to implement 15 projects, expanding tailored support that reflects the characteristics of each growth stage of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Jeonbuk Province will significantly strengthen a customized welfare system by life cycle to guarantee the rights and improve the quality of life of people with developmental disabilities. Provided by Jeonbuk Province
This policy focuses not only on individuals with developmental disabilities but also on reducing the caregiving burden on families and establishing a sustainable community-based care system.
The plan is to provide a wide range of services spanning from infancy to old age to support the independence of people with developmental disabilities and to help caregivers continue providing care in a stable environment.
Jeonbuk Province will establish a comprehensive welfare network by preparing customized support measures that reflect the age-specific characteristics and needs of people with developmental disabilities.
During early childhood, specialized parenting skills and disability awareness education will be provided to parents of young children with developmental disabilities to enhance the effectiveness of early intervention and strengthen parental capacity.
In adolescence, after-school activity services for adolescents with developmental disabilities will be supported for up to 66 hours per month to minimize care gaps and promote social skills development.
During the transition to adulthood, tailored programs such as career counseling, independent living education, and sexual rights education will be offered to people with developmental disabilities and their parents to help them prepare for adulthood.
For young and middle-aged adults, the age limit for the daytime activity service for people with developmental disabilities, which was previously restricted to those under 65, will be abolished starting this year, expanding the eligible population. Including additional provincial support, voucher services of up to 142 to 166 hours per month will be provided.
Family support will be provided throughout the entire lifespan, including public guardianship support for people with developmental disabilities who lack decision-making capacity, and family respite support (healing camps, themed trips, etc.) to reduce caregivers' psychological burdens and help them achieve emotional stability.
This year as well, participating organizations in the eastern region (Iksan Dongsan Social Welfare Center) and the western region (Gimje Disabled Persons Welfare Center) will recruit participants starting this month to give people with developmental disabilities and their families opportunities for rest and rejuvenation away from daily life.
One of the greatest difficulties faced by families of people with developmental disabilities is unpredictable care gaps. To address this, Jeonbuk Province operates integrated care services and emergency care for people with the most severe developmental disabilities.
Currently, there are 14,315 people with developmental disabilities living in Jeonbuk Province, accounting for 9% of the total 128,989 people with disabilities in the province. Since developmental disabilities are mostly severe disabilities that require lifelong support from early childhood, continuous support throughout the entire lifespan is essential.
Yang Sumi, Director of the Provincial Disability Welfare Policy Division, said, "We will continue to pursue customized policies to ensure continuous support throughout the entire lifespan of people with developmental disabilities," and added, "We will spare no effort in providing practical support for the realization of inclusive welfare in which the local community participates together."
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