Child services face imminent crisis: urgent intervention necessary for safeguarding children and youth

The German Children's Aid Organization (DKHW) has called for a rescue package to support open youth work in Germany, highlighting the urgent need for financial aid. The organization's President, Thomas Krüger, has warned of worsening problems in the winter months, as many youth facilities and initiatives are struggling to stay afloat due to the ongoing pandemic.

Krüger stated that providers of open youth work, such as the children and young people themselves, are system-relevant and should not be neglected during these challenging times. He emphasized that youth welfare is stretched to the limit in many municipalities and on the brink of collapse in many places.

One of the main concerns is the collapse of catering offers, such as healthy school lunches and parent work, nationwide. These services are essential for providing nutrition and maintaining a sense of normalcy for many children and young people. Additionally, many event formats that generate income for open youth work cannot be implemented at the moment.

Out-of-school offers are crucial in case of school closures, enabling social interaction, maintaining movement and nutrition offers, and providing a point of contact in difficult family situations. Youth facilities serve as a "child protection agency that prevents worse in many cases."

The DKHW has suggested that unspent budget funds from 2020 could be exceptionally carried over into the following years to help maintain youth work. The working group for Open Child and Youth Work (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Offene Kinder- und Jugendarbeit) has also called on political representatives to ensure ongoing financial support for youth centers and creative schools in Germany.

Organizations like the German Foundation for Engagement and Volunteering (DSEE) and regional funds such as the GEN OST Youth Fund provide targeted financial support for youth projects, especially in underprivileged areas.

Krüger has warned of a potential worsening of problems in the winter months, emphasizing the need for immediate action to support open youth work in Germany. The DKHW and its partners continue to advocate for a comprehensive rescue package to ensure the continuity of these vital services for children and young people across the country.