#Japan #Uchida Yoko #Child Monitoring System #Kaisei Town #Kaisei

Uchida Yoko Initiates Innovative 'Child Monitoring System' in Kaisei Town, Kanagawa

In a significant move to enhance child welfare, Uchida Yoko Co., Ltd. has announced the launch of its innovative 'Child Monitoring System' in Kaisei Town, Kanagawa, starting from May 2025. This initiative aims to connect educational and welfare data pertaining to children, allowing for the swift identification and support of families and children in need.

Background and Objectives

Kaisei Town, notable for being the smallest municipality in Kanagawa Prefecture, is located just 90 minutes from Tokyo. As of 2020, it boasts the highest proportion of young residents in the prefecture, with 14.8% of its population being children. This has led to an influx of households with school-aged children, particularly those lacking pre-school information, complicating the understanding of family backgrounds.

Moreover, the town faces complex issues relating to child welfare, including an increase in at-risk pregnancies and reports of child abuse. Consequently, there has been a rising demand for improved support systems, putting additional pressure on public health workers and social workers.

To address these challenges, Kaisei Town plans to establish the 'Child and Family Center' by combining maternal and child health functions with child welfare services by April 1, 2024. The new center will facilitate comprehensive support for families and children through the 'Child Monitoring System'.

Features of the 'Child Monitoring System'

This advanced system enables staff from the Child Support Division to analyze and assess children who may face various challenges. It integrates around 40 different types of data related to children's welfare and education while ensuring privacy protections.

Collaborative Data Elements

The kinds of data being integrated into the system include:

• - Welfare and Health Systems: Information from maternal health check-ups, child health screenings, and child care subsidy statuses.
• - Child Welfare: Records related to reports of abuse and consultations concerning at-risk children.
• - Education Systems: Enrollment assistance statuses, attendance records, and health check data from local educational institutions.

Key Features of the System

1. Risk Assessment and Data Analytics: The system employs algorithms based on expert opinions to establish risk indicators and scores for children aged 0-18, categorizing them under various difficulties like poverty, neglect, and developmental challenges. Utilizing the analysis tool 'Mµgen', it aids in comprehensive data evaluation to determine support needs.

2. User-Friendly Dashboard: The dashboard allows professionals to view both overall trends and specific data about children and families who may require support. This functionality streamlines identifying at-risk candidates.

3. Data Security: Strict access controls ensure the safety of personal information, with sensitive data anonymized to protect individual identities.

Support Operations

Each month's analysis results will be discussed in monthly conferences involving public health nurses, social workers, and child guidance officials to determine necessary support strategies. The system will also ensure that data collection and processing remain secure within local governance systems.

By the 2024 fiscal year, the project will incorporate monthly updates to keep records current, enhancing monitoring for transitions like family relocations.

Future Developments

Looking ahead, the town aims to standardize systems across local government organizations to facilitate easier data sharing and implementation in other municipalities. Uchida Yoko's extensive experience in the education and welfare fields positions it well to lead these data integration efforts, facilitating better outcomes for children in Kaisei.

Through these initiatives, Uchida Yoko and Kaisei Town aspire to make significant strides in community welfare, promoting a safer environment for children and enabling data-driven support for those who need it most.