Ministry of Health and Welfare seeks second regional government to join pilot program supporting children's return to birth families; applications open Tuesday through July 13

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The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced Monday it is accepting applications from regional governments to join a pilot program aimed at helping children in temporary protective care return to their birth families more quickly.

The ministry selected Incheon as the first participating regional government last year. To add a second site for the second half of this year, it will accept applications from Tuesday through July 13.

The pilot program provides structured family reunification support for children placed in temporary care due to abuse, the death of a parent or other circumstances.

For children who cannot return to their birth families, the program is designed to ensure swift decisions on longer-term care arrangements, including foster care, group homes and residential facilities.

Under the program, all children placed in temporary care within a participating metropolitan or provincial jurisdiction will be guaranteed access to family reunification support services, as well as psychological assessments and other trauma-prevention services.

Children who require longer-term care will receive support in finding the most suitable family-based placement, with the search extending beyond municipal and county boundaries if necessary.

Ahead of the application period, the ministry held an online briefing Monday for officials from cities, provinces and counties across the country, as well as representatives from related organizations.

Jang Yeong-jin, head of the ministry's Child Protection and Independence Division, said the pilot program "is significant in that it assigns responsibility at the metropolitan level for filling the gaps in the early protection system that arise during a child's temporary care period."


thlee@heraldcorp.com