Michuhol-gu District (Mayor Kim Jeong-sik) in Incheon is holding a public call through July 20 to select one site for a new Together Care Center, aimed at expanding a community-based care system for elementary school students. With the number of dual-income households rising and demand steadily growing for a safe place to leave children after school, the move is intended to fill gaps in public care.
 [The Korean Today] Public call for a new Together Care Center site in Michuhol-gu © Reporter Kim Mi-hee |
The call focuses on expanding elementary care services by making use of idle spaces scattered across the district. Rather than building a new dedicated facility, the plan is to convert existing spaces into care hubs, reducing budget pressure while placing care facilities close to residents' living areas.
Eligible facilities are those within the district where a Together Care Center can be installed, and they must have secured an idle space with a usable area of 66㎡ or more but less than 132㎡. Applicants must also be able to provide the space free of charge for at least five years to qualify.
Applications will be accepted from July 14 to 20, and documents may be submitted by the applicant's preferred method — in person, by registered mail, or by email. The call itself closes on July 20.
The district will conduct a document review and on-site inspection of the applications received. Through this process, it plans to select the final site by comprehensively assessing location conditions, accessibility, the suitability and safety of the space, as well as the care demand in the area concerned.
A site selected for the project will sign a free lease agreement with Michuhol-gu, after which a professional operating organization will take charge of actually providing care services under a private consignment arrangement. Detailed information on the call can be found in the notice posted on the Michuhol-gu Office website, or by contacting the Child Welfare Team of the Women and Family Division (☎032-880-7487).
A district official said, "Expanding Together Care Centers is an important project for closing gaps in elementary care and creating an environment where children can grow up safely within the community," adding, "We hope organizations that own facilities meeting the installation criteria will show active interest and take part." With one more Together Care Center in place, the care safety net felt by nearby elementary students and parents is expected to become that much tighter.
[ Reporter Kim Mi-hee: incheonsouth@thekoreantoday.com ]
Become a Local Ambassador Apply as Branch Director The Korean Today — Nam-Incheon
 |
<저작권자 ⓒ 코리안투데이(The Korean Today) 무단전재 및 재배포 금지>
