Seoul gov't extends support for children in care facilities to ensure independence after discharge

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Seoul gov't extends support for children in care facilities to ensure independence after discharge

Published: 24 Jul. 2024, 17:57

CHO JUNG-WOO
cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, center, and participants of the opening ceremony for 0+ Seoul, a community space for young adults leaving care facilities and foster homes, pose for a photo at the facility in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on July 6. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Wednesday said it would spend 106.5 billion won ($77 million) over the next five years to support children living in foster homes and child welfare facilities and ensure their independence after their protection ends.

The city supports individuals for five years only after they turn 18, while the latest plan covers them from childhood onward.

With no mentors, former foster children face scams, financial distress

The Child Welfare Act requires local authorities to support young adults whom care facilities no longer protect for up to five years after discharge. However, the city government emphasized the necessity of extending the support scheme to prepare them for independent living better, noting that “anxiety rose and their satisfaction with life dropped after the five-year assistance ended.”

According to the city government, 1,509 protected children between the ages of 18 and 22 were set to live independently as of May. Approximately 150 of them are discharged from care facilities in the city every year.

Children under the protection of foster homes and residential care facilities are “discharged to society” when they turn 18, but they can request extended protection up to the age of 24.

The average monthly salary of these young adults is 1.56 million won, according to city government data from 2020. Around 36 percent were concerned about their housing situation, while many cited employment and further education as their biggest concerns after leaving care. Nearly 25 percent had contemplated suicide, and 46 percent were suspected of suffering from depression.

Due to these concerns, the city government decided to provide holistic and systemic support to children in care facilities from their childhood until they become capable of living independently.

One hundred children will be supported with a monthly lesson fee of 300,000 won to develop their talents in the arts, music and physical education, among other fields.

Middle school and high school students will also be offered career consultation sessions. Educational programs on life skills, such as cooking and paying taxes, will be provided.

Additionally, unused spaces at care facilities and other locations will be refurbished to create single rooms for the children by 2028, giving them an independent space.

A healing center is also set to open as early as next July to treat children suffering from mental health issues like ADHD and depression.

Support for economic independence will also be expanded.

A settlement fund of 20 million won will be provided to individuals, along with a monthly independence allowance of 500,000 won.

Additionally, young people preparing for independence within five years of leaving care will receive up to 200,000 won monthly for housing expenses such as rent or dormitory fees. The support is available to those living in private rental housing, SH or LH public rental housing and dormitories.

The city government will also introduce job search programs for youth seeking employment. Children with extended protection and young people preparing for independence will receive pre-employment training and internships. A “new start support fund” of 500,000 won will be provided upon successful employment.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]