Suwon Saebbit Care Project Expands to All 44 Dongs Starting January Next Year

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Special City announced on the 28th that it will expand the 'Suwon Saebbit Care Project,' which has been pilot-operated in eight dongs since July 1st to provide care services to all citizens in need, to all 44 dongs starting January 1st next year.

The Suwon Saebbit Care is a 'Suwon-style integrated care project' where the community serves as the center to identify neighbors in need of care and provide them with essential care services. Residents who are well-acquainted with the local situation, including members of the Community Health and Welfare Council at the dong level, serve as 'Saebbit care workers,' discovering households in crisis in need of assistance, identifying and connecting local welfare resources, and providing care services.

The Suwon Saebbit Care provides four major care services: △home care assistance, △accompaniment support, △psychological counseling, and △temporary protection. Anyone can use the services regardless of income, assets, or age. For households with income at or below 75% of the median, the dong care planner will visit the home, and if care is deemed necessary, the city will provide 1 million care points per person annually for care service expenses. Households exceeding 75% of median income can use care services at their own expense.

In October, a proposal was registered on 'Saebbit Talk Talk,' a mobile civic participation platform, requesting that the Suwon Saebbit Care service be provided in dongs outside the pilot areas. Suwon City conducted a survey targeting citizens on Saebbit Talk Talk. A total of 6,670 people participated in the vote, with 91.3% (6,093 people) in favor of 'expansion to all dongs.'

The city reflected citizen opinions and worked to expand the budget and enact ordinances. With active cooperation from the Suwon City Council, the Suwon Saebbit Care project expanded to all dongs.

The Suwon Saebbit Care service can be applied for by phone or in-person at the dong administrative welfare center care counter or through the mobile civic participation platform 'Saebbit Talk Talk.'

Meanwhile, the city held a '2023 Community Contribution Awards Ceremony' at the city hall main auditorium on the 27th and presented commendations to meritorious organizations and citizens, as well as outstanding members and organizations of the Community Health and Welfare Council.

The Suwon mayor's commendation was presented to a total of 55 people (including organizations, companies, and groups) for: city and dong Community Health and Welfare Council contributions, outstanding performance in 'dong council operation evaluation' (6 dongs), outstanding performance in '2023 visiting comprehensive health and welfare service evaluation' (14 dongs), active case management contributions by individuals and organizations, and meritorious service in activating 'Love Sharing Suwon' and spreading sharing culture by individuals, companies, and organizations.

Additionally, commendations from the Suwon Special City Council President were presented to 7 individuals and organizations for community development contributions.

Private council chair commendations were presented to 12 outstanding council members and 12 outstanding dongs in the 'council life four-cuts' (city-gu-dong connection sharing meetings). Additionally, appreciation plaques from the private council chair were presented to individuals (2 people) and organizations (2 organizations) for network activation contributions.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun said at the awards ceremony, "The 'Suwon Saebbit Care' that has been pilot-operated in eight dongs since July will expand to all 44 dongs starting January next year, and I hope council members will join us," and added, "If council members and citizens who support us work together, the Saebbit Care project will be able to adequately fill the gaps in welfare coverage."

The Suwon Community Health and Welfare Council, which marks its 18th anniversary this year, is composed of the representative council, executive council, dong councils, and executive subcommittees. 198 people are active in 12 executive subcommittees, and 911 people are active in 44 dong councils.