Promoting 28 Integrated Support Projects for Multicultural and Single-Parent Families
Investing 3.5 Billion Won in the Family Center
Providing Counseling and Educational Services
Wando County in South Jeolla Province will invest a total of 4.4 billion won this year to launch a comprehensive family policy that spans various family structures, including multicultural, single-parent, and dual-income families.
According to Wando County on March 3, the county has finalized a comprehensive family policy consisting of 28 detailed projects and will begin full-scale operations this year. With this policy, the county aims to establish a universal welfare system that can be felt by all residents, not just specific groups. The main focus is on addressing gaps in care and strengthening family functions.
Wando County allocated 3.5 billion KRW, accounting for 80% of the total budget, to the operation and support projects of the Family Center. Provided by Wando County
First, to ease the biggest concern of residents-child-rearing burdens-Wando County will provide practical services such as: expanding child care support services, operating shared parenting centers, and offering parental capacity-building education. Additionally, the county plans to foster a healthy family culture by strengthening conflict counseling for couples and generations, as well as emotional support programs for single-parent and grandparent-headed families.
The county has also devised detailed support measures to help multicultural families settle stably in the local community. In addition to support for health checkup fees and nationality acquisition costs, practical programs such as home-visit education, interpretation and translation services, support for children's language development, and bilingual parent coaching will be provided. In particular, the functions of the Family Center, which opened last year, will be significantly enhanced. The county allocated 3.5 billion won, accounting for 80% of the total budget, to the operation and support projects of the Family Center.
The plan is to build a "one-stop system" where education, care, and counseling are provided in one place, establishing the center as both the neighborhood's welfare platform and a community-based welfare hub in name and in practice.
This year, newly introduced job linkage projects are also drawing attention. Utilizing the Happy Welfare Foundation fund, the county is running programs to help multicultural families obtain Korean cuisine chef and youth barista certifications. In addition, through training for child care support workers, the county will offer "one-stop employment support"-connecting participants from certification acquisition to field training, and ultimately to employment at local meal service facilities and welfare institutions.
A county official said, "We will create a warm community by providing customized services for residents aimed at healthy families and strengthening family functions."
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