Gyeonggi-do Independent Living Support Center Opens in Uiwang on the 3rd... Support for Children Aging Out of Care

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] The Gyeonggi-do Independent Support Dedicated Agency opened its doors in Uiwang, Gyeonggi-do on the 3rd.

Gyeonggi-do announced that it expanded and opened the 'Independent Support Dedicated Agency' in Uiwang City on the 3rd to support the stable social settlement of youth preparing for independence (children aging out of care) within the province. The province plans to open an additional northern office later this month.

Youth preparing for independence (children aging out of care) refers to children who have lived in child care facilities, group homes, foster care, etc., and must become independent upon turning 18.

The province installed a child welfare counseling office in 1996 to strengthen the independence capabilities of youth preparing for independence and support their stable social settlement, and has operated it as an independent support dedicated agency since 2015.

The expanded operation of the Gyeonggi-do Independent Support Dedicated Agency follows the 'Strengthening Support Measures for Children Aging Out of Care' announced at the Cabinet meeting in July last year, and the establishment of national funding support related to the operation of the Gyeonggi-do Independent Support Dedicated Agency this year.

The operating budget has significantly increased from about 500 million KRW last year to 2.15 billion KRW this year, including 1.22 billion KRW in national funds.

Located at 16 Wanggok-ro, Uiwang City, the Gyeonggi-do Independent Support Dedicated Agency will support youth preparing for independence (children aging out of care) in the southern Gyeonggi region.

With this expansion, the province increased the staff from 3-5 people to 23 by newly hiring 20 independent support experts. Fifteen will work at the Gyeonggi-do Independent Support Dedicated Agency, and eight will be assigned to the northern regional team.

A provincial official emphasized, "Every year, about 400 youth preparing for independence leave care in Gyeonggi-do. We will support each young person preparing for independence with a parent's heart to help them achieve stable independence."

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