Department of Social Welfare

As social welfare development celebrates a new era of fresh possibilities, the Department of Social Welfare has reinvented itself and advanced from being a manager of public assistance to becoming a mouthpiece for the disadvantaged. To meet the multiple needs of wide-ranging service users, DOSW regularly reviews the current system to look for more integrated and more effective formulae to improve service provisions. Preventive and developmental programs are also in place to empower city residents to help themselves and help one another. In light of a changing future, DOSW vows to continue improvements on social welfare for the city residents in the following ten primary directions:

A. To promote "Taipei United Welfare League"

1) Implement effective cooperation among communities, businesses, and private groups to provide more outreach services to the socially disadvantaged.

2) Coordinate financial and human resources from the private sector and volunteers to establish a comprehensive rescue system to assist the needy more efficiently in the event of a disaster.

3) Encourage contribution of supplies from private social service groups and agencies, and match the NPO with business units to facilitate the growth of businesses in public interests.

B. To continue projects for eradicating poverty

1) Complete the pilot project, the Family Development Account and proceed to new programs to help the next generation escape poverty.

2) Innovate workfare programs so as to help the socially disadvantaged to become self-sufficient.

C. To develop new programs that will serve the elderly and people with special needs

1) Build a resource network for placement care of the elderly and the disabled, and plan a property entrust system such disadvantaged people.

2) Provide comprehensive programs, assistances, and activities through Taipei Welfare House for the people with special needs.

3) Design and implement a career adaptation service for people with special needs.

4) Utilize welfare agencies for the elderly as a resource to for community outreach.

D. To initiate new measures for child and youth protection

1) Enhance babysitting service support and a sound supervision system.

2) Protect children and youth at work or play surroundings by ensuring safety during summer and winter breaks.

3) Construct and develop placement networks for disadvantaged children and youths to provide them with a healthy living environment.

E. To build a family-oriented welfare system

1) Strengthen social welfare service centers to better serve families in need and integrate welfare services to assist families in need so that they may live to their greatest potential.

2) Remove restrictions on women in special situations or of unique backgrounds so that they may apply for childcare allowances to better care for their young.

3) Expand service capacities for programs such as in-home service and respite care to assist socially disadvantaged groups to stay home for as long as possible.

4) Integrate resources of treatment and education programs for the victims of domestic violence and sexual assaults, and establish a resource assignation system and referral programs.

F. To complete a well-designed welfare facility allocation system to meet recipients' needs

1) Upgrade service quality by means of various subsidies to the agencies providing outreach services to children, youths, women, seniors, and disabled persons with special needs.

2) Design programs aiming to strengthen the functions of various agencies and provide professional counseling and care to assist in the development and social adaptation of youths.

3) Increase facilities with emergency shelters and short-term accommodations for troubled youths, set up youth service center, and subsidize private groups to provide more supportive and developmental programs to assist them in getting back on track.

4) Utilize Taipei Community Work House as a platform for experience-sharing and a venue for activities and events for community residents.

5) Coordinate among education departments to establish halfway schools for youths with special care needs.

G. To open various channels for communication

Invite experts, scholars and opinion leaders from related fields to attend forums and seminars for opinion exchanges; suggestions proposed during these discussions will serve as guidelines for future policy formulation.