South Karelia Raises Together – a model to support the well-being of children, young people and families 

The municipalities of South Karelia and the South Karelia Welfare Region (Ekhva) have planned a joint operating model to support the growth and well-being of children, young people and families. 

– The goal is to strengthen the well-being of children, young people and families throughout the province – across municipal and organizational boundaries, Director of the City of Lappeenranta Juhani Junnilainen says. 

The Ekhva and the municipalities are committed to promoting the model through a joint agreement. The agreement currently being prepared will include parenting support and recommendations covering the entire province. 

– The idea is a bit like the whole village raising the children. We share responsibility for ensuring that the growth opportunities of children and young people are better than ever. A shared will and courage to intervene is a good basis for ensuring the well-being of children and young people and the experience of inclusion, the director of the welfare area Sally Widow says.   

Common recommendations for everyday life  

Parenting support and strengthening begins during pregnancy and continues in maternity clinics, early childhood education and schools. The goal is to support parents in their everyday lives and strengthen the environment in which children grow up.  

– Joint recommendations are also being drawn up for South Karelia to support parenting and community education. They may concern, for example, energy drinks, encouraging reading or school trip exercise. The recommendations are based on research data and national policies, the Education and Youth Manager of the City of Imatra Minna Rovio says.  

The basic principle is that to support the growth of children and young people, the ability of all adults involved in their lives and the environment in which they grow up to ensure a good childhood is ensured. This means broader and more proactive support for parenting and new types of expertise in the operations of municipalities, organizations, hobby activities and the welfare area.  

All municipalities included  

In practice, the work begins with the compilation and analysis of existing information. After that, recommendations and measures will be prepared. Three professionals will be hired during the summer to coordinate the work and guide the collaboration.  

The municipalities of Ekhva and South Karelia will each contribute their own share to the costs. The estimated annual costs are as follows: 

• South Karelia welfare region: approximately €100,000  

• Lappeenranta: approximately €140,000  

• Imatra: approximately €67,000  

• Luumäki, Savitaipale, Lemi, Taipalsaari, Ruokolahti Rautjärvi and Parikkala: approximately €23,000/municipality 

The agreement to start cooperation will proceed to decision-making by the municipalities and Ekhva during April-May.  

For more information:  

 
Ekhva:
Sally Leskinen, Welfare Area Manager, tel. +358 40 638 6436, sally.widowekhva.fi (sally[dot]leskinen[at]ekhva[dot]fi)

The city of Lappeenranta:
Juhani Junnilainen, Director of Welfare and Cultural Services, tel. +358 40 190 6270, juhani.junnilainenlappeenranta.fi (juhani[dot]junnilainen[at]lappeenranta[dot]fi)  

City of Imatra:
Minna Rovio, Head of Education and Youth, tel. 020 617 3404, go. rovioimatra.fi (minna[dot]rovio[at]imatra[dot]fi)