PiA - Growing up positively in Aachen

The occasion

Poverty plays a major role in impairing the development of children and young people. According to the Bremen Institute for Labor Market Research and Youth Vocational Assistance (BIAJ), 1.93 million children under the age of 15 were living in families whose mothers and/or fathers are dependent on unemployment benefit II in March of this year. That is 16.9% of children of this age. In the city of Aachen, as many as 23.6% of children live in families receiving unemployment benefit II. This is why the city of Aachen wants to use its possibilities to prevent poverty.

Non-poor children can also suffer from a variety of limitations. Parental competence is therefore an essential prerequisite for the healthy development of every child. Parents should be systematically and widely supported and encouraged. This is why the city of Aachen has developed a networked prevention and support program in which existing initiatives are bundled and expanded as required.

The problem

Current data and studies (the Prognos study and the number of Hartz IV recipients) indicate an urgent need for action in Aachen. The Prognos Family Atlas classifies the city of Aachen as a "vulnerable" region. Although the city council does not share this statement, it is examining the data closely. The city received poor rankings, particularly in the category "Housing situation and living environment" (33rd place out of a total of 40 large cities). Other negative points include the number of children involved in road traffic accidents in Aachen (25th place) and the crime rate (19th place). The figures cited as examples must be examined. If there really is a need for action, solutions must be developed.

The goals

The city of Aachen will bundle the activities for healthy growing up, facilitate access and congratulate all "new" parents with a "welcome package" on the birth of their child. At the same time, parents are to be encouraged to take part in early family education programs.

Specifically:

• Early support and encouragement for families and their children right from the start.
• Preventing poverty, avoiding the consequences of poverty.
• Establishment of a networked support and funding structure involving all relevant stakeholders.

Creating positive living and learning conditions

The aim is to improve the living and learning conditions of girls and boys in our city. Municipalities can prevent poverty by strengthening families, supporting new family models and promoting the compatibility of family and career.
To alleviate the effects of poverty in the short term, the cost of a hot meal in kindergartens/schools can be covered for every child whose parents cannot afford to pay for a meal. Basic equipment for starting school must also be guaranteed. In the long term, the aim should be to prevent poverty and strengthen parental skills.

Strengthening parenting skills

Thanks to the development of family centers, Aachen is well on the way to offering low-threshold family education in daycare centers. There is a further need for parents of children under the age of 3. Especially before and after birth, parents are very open to questions about the care and upbringing of their child. At no point in a child's life can more effective investment be made. This sensitive phase must be systematically used to strengthen parenting skills.

Support in the event of disadvantage and protection from danger

The third strategic goal has a support and a protection aspect: parents in Aachen should be sure that developmental deficits, behavioral problems, language deficits, etc. are identified and treated at an early stage. Binding cooperation ensures that children and young people are helped as early as possible.
Girls and boys in Aachen should be effectively protected against dangers such as neglect, abuse, maltreatment, alcohol and drug abuse, eating disorders, etc. An early warning system could also be a suitable measure for children over the age of 3.