Publication of Nowon-gu Integrated Case Management Activity Collection 'Close to the Heart, Close to Hope'

Collected Stories of Integrated Case Management Helping Neighbors in Need: Seventh Edition "Close to Heart, Close to Hope" Published... 36 Vivid and Moving Essays by Public and Private Case Management Practitioners... Introduction to Nowon-gu's 8 District Networks for Active Response to Resident Welfare Needs

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] “It felt like the world pushed me to the edge, and I was ready to give up on life. But thinking of my child, I knocked on the door of the Nowon-gu Office Welfare Department. They contacted me, and I met a teacher there. Thanks to the help of the lawyer at the district office, I was able to obtain my certification. They always told me not to lose courage and hope, and I was able to get a job. I am working, saving money, and living diligently while thinking about the future. Thank you to the teacher who helped me!” ? From a thank-you letter by a case management beneficiary ?

Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) has compiled handwritten experiences from the past year of helping neighbors in difficult situations through integrated case management and published an activity casebook titled “Close to the Heart, Close to Hope.”

Integrated case management is a customized welfare project that uses local resources to provide and continuously monitor necessary services such as welfare, health, employment, and housing in an integrated manner for individuals with complex and diverse needs.

This is the seventh year that Nowon-gu has published an integrated case management activity casebook. Although the number of people in crisis increased last year due to COVID-19, close face-to-face meetings were more difficult than before.

This year’s casebook contains the efforts of case management practitioners over the past year who provided customized welfare and emotional support to neighbors despite the challenging environment of COVID-19.

The casebook is 162 pages long and consists of 36 stories of hope under two themes: ▲ “Stories of Case Managers” who grow together while helping those in difficulty ▲ “Stories of Public-Private Cooperation” where community members unite to solve problems.

The appendix includes photo records of the Nowon-gu Hope Welfare Support Group and introductions to major cooperating institutions involved in case management in Nowon-gu.

The casebook demonstrates successful public-private cooperation through 36 integrated case management cases involving beneficiaries, the community, and case managers working together.

It is especially meaningful as it vividly captures the challenges of case management known only to those working in the field.

The district plans to distribute 400 copies of the casebook to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Seoul City, autonomous districts, local community centers, and private welfare organizations.

Nowon-gu has divided local community centers and private institutions into eight zones to build a network that actively responds to residents’ welfare needs.

Using this network, the public and private sectors share support details and jointly manage cases to effectively solve problems. The district will continue integrated case management to ensure neighbors in difficulty receive customized help through active interest and participation from public institutions and the community.

District Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “Thanks to the cooperative system where the community helps and shares together, we were able to help neighbors in various crisis situations resolve their difficulties and regain stability in life. Although there will be challenges and crises beyond COVID-19, I hope we find hope together, and Nowon-gu will do its best to help find that hope.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.