TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Hsinchu City will offer free in-home parenting guidance services to families with children under the age of 6 who live in the city and require assistance, Hsinchu City Government stated Thursday.
The service will provide up to 48 sessions annually. It will prioritize vulnerable families, those with disabled family members, new parents, parents under the age of 20, and families identified by social workers as needing support.
At the end of 2023, children aged 0 to 14 made up 15.87% of Hsinchu City's population, the highest percentage in Taiwan.
Through collaboration with service providers and community organizations, the city hopes to promote preventive measures for vulnerable families and improve child protection. The initiative ensures that children under 6 and their families receive professional support and services, helping to prevent child abuse and reinforcing the social safety net.
“Vulnerable families” are defined as those facing challenges such as poverty, crime, unemployment, substance abuse, underage parenting, caring for children with severe disabilities, or insufficient caregiving abilities. These issues create material, physical, psychological, or environmental vulnerabilities that require multiple forms of support and intervention.
The city government has tasked the Huai An social welfare association with implementing the services, which will be carried out by trained professional parenting instructors. Residents seeking assistance can reach out to the association at 0906-745198 for consultations and applications.
Acting Mayor Chiu Chen-yuan (邱臣遠) said that encouraging childbirth, creating a supportive parenting environment, and reducing parental burdens remain key goals for the city government. The city has implemented a range of parent-friendly policies, including in-home postpartum care services, egg-freezing subsidies, local daycare services, and a pregnancy transportation program, all aimed at building a comprehensive caregiving system.
