Kick-off event for the "Thuringian Prevention Chains" program in Jena

"We have a great interest in ensuring that the children in our city have the best opportunities for development. And for all children, if possible."

This is what Eberhardt Hertzsch, Head of Social Affairs for the City of Jena, said at the kick-off meeting for the "Thuringian Prevention Chains" program on 8 February 2023 in Jena. The city had therefore applied for the program so that the numerous existing services could be better networked and thus reach children and their families in a more targeted manner.

At the start of the program, which is being professionally supported by the Institute for Municipal Planning and Development (IKPE), the specialist services and planners from the City of Jena's Department of Family, Education and Social Affairs met with the IKPE's "Thuringian Prevention Chains" program team to discuss goals and initial agreements for the collaboration.

Dr. Heike Schaarschmidt, head of the programme, explained the project and presented the IKPE's professional support in its implementation and particularly emphasized the partnership in the further development of the network for children to grow up successfully.

Dr. Konstanze Tenner, Team Leader of Integrated Social Planning, made it clear that the aim was not to create parallel structures, but to use the existing services and improve networking.

"The focus is on children in precarious social situations."

IKPE Institute Director Prof. Dr. Jörg Fischer emphasized that the Thuringian Prevention Chains programme can achieve a high level of effectiveness across all services.

"Away from a mentality of responsibility and towards needs-oriented joint action."

At the end of the event, the first steps towards partnership-based and interdisciplinary implementation were announced. This includes advisory support from the Institute for Municipal Planning and Development in Jena.

In addition, the city of Jena will soon appoint a coordinator for the technical implementation of the aforementioned goals.

Further information:

• The Thuringian Prevention Chains program is funded by the Auridis Foundation. The patron is the Thuringian Minister of Social Affairs, Heike Werner.
• The IKPE was commissioned by the Auridis Foundation to advise and support the program in the municipalities.
• In addition to Jena, the Saale-Orla district and the district of Schmalkalden-Meiningen will start the program at the beginning of 2023.
• Thuringia is the first federal state in eastern Germany to promote prevention chains in the area of equal opportunities for children.