Integration assistance; application for children and young people with mental disabilities or impending mental disabilities

Some children and young people are unable to participate in public life on an equal footing due to their mental disability. A mental disability can, for example, be a

• Anxiety disorder,
• Depression,
• Psychosis,
• Autism,
• ADHD or
• an eating disorder

be.

In order to support children and young people in leading a self-determined life, integration assistance in accordance with Section 35a SGB VIII may be considered. This integration assistance is aimed at children and young people with a mental disability or the threat of a mental disability.

Integration assistance is provided:

• in outpatient form
• in day-care facilities for children or in other day-care facilities
• by suitable caregivers and
• in day and night facilities and other forms of accommodation.

Control/youth welfare planning

Young people with disabilities and their families often face challenges when it comes to coping with their special support needs. They are dependent on integration assistance from various service providers such as the district of Upper Bavaria or the youth welfare office in order to participate in social life. This is where procedural guides can offer help and orientation.

The procedural pilot at the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen Office for Youth and Family advises, accompanies and supports children, adolescents and young adults with (impending) mental, physical and/or intellectual disabilities as well as their parents in the process of applying for integration assistance services.

Counseling is free, independent, confidential and, if desired, anonymous.

Contact details and further information can be found on our topic page on the Verfahrenslotsen under the further links.

Children and young people can receive integration assistance in the event of a mental or impending mental disability.

The prerequisite for this is that

• there is a high probability that mental health will deviate for more than 6 months from the typical state for the age group, and
• the child's or young person's participation in society is impaired as a result, or
• such impairment is to be expected with a high degree of probability.

In order to check the requirements, the youth welfare office obtains an opinion from a medical or psychotherapeutic professional who specializes in children and adolescents in particular.

There are no deadlines to be observed.

No costs are incurred. The costs of integration assistance are always borne by the youth welfare office.

In some cases (e.g. residential care), those affected can also contribute to the costs downstream. The Youth Welfare Office checks whether and to what extent parents can contribute to the costs. The assessment takes into account the ability of those liable to contribute to the costs.

• § Section 35a of the German Social Code - Book Eight (SGB VIII)

• Advice offered by the supplementary independent participation advice service (EUTB)
• Topic page on the procedure pilot

  Children, adolescents and young adults with (impending) mental, physical and/or intellectual disabilities as well as their parents or legal guardians are entitled to advice, guidance and support from a procedural guide in accordance with Section 10b (1) SGB VIII.

  The procedure pilot at the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen Office for Youth and Family provides specific advice on possible integration assistance benefits, legal and benefit entitlements, as well as on the procedures for granting benefits in accordance with SGB VIII and SGB IX. It also helps with clarifying responsibilities and finding the right contacts.

• Contact your local youth welfare office.
• There, you and your child will be advised on possible assistance, the application process and the further procedure.
• The staff at your local youth welfare office will work with you to decide what help is suitable for your family.
• If you need support over a longer period of time, the employee of the youth welfare office will draw up a support plan together with all those involved. This plan regulates the joint approach and is regularly adapted and updated depending on the development of the child or young person.
• The support services are provided by public and independent youth welfare organizations. These can be local authorities, associations or clubs, for example.

In addition to mental disabilities, there are also physical and mental disabilities. Integration assistance may also be available for these. Other agencies may be responsible for this. Ask your youth welfare office which office is responsible for you or your child.