Groningen launches pilot projects to improve youth care accessibility
Three new pilot projects in Groningen aim to make youth care simpler and more accessible for families. By involving young people directly, the initiatives test tailored support for mental health, behavioral issues, and complex family situations, with results shaping future regional youth care policies.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Pilot Locations | Groningen, Midden-Groningen, Vinkhuizen (Groningen district) |
| Focus Areas | Mental health, behavioral problems, complex divorces |
| Support Methods | School-based therapy, neighborhood behavioral experts, short-term support |
| Involved Organizations | Coöperatie Dichtbij, Barkema, De Haan, CM Zorg, Cosis, Horizon, Jonx, etc. |
| Youth Involvement | Direct feedback from young people with prior youth care experience |
| Timeline | Pilots inform regional agreement effective in 2028 |
Municipalities like Groningen and Midden-Groningen are responsible for organizing and improving youth care services under the Dutch Youth Act. Their role includes ensuring accessible, effective support for young people and families, often through collaboration with local providers and stakeholders.
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Read the full translated article below
Working together on youth care that better meets practical needs
With the launch of three pilot projects, the municipalities of Groningen, Midden-Groningen and their partners are taking an important step toward youth care that is simpler and more accessible for young people and parents. The pilots will examine which additional youth care services best suit children and parents. The experiences and insights gained will be used to improve youth care and serve as input for the new regional agreement that will take effect in 2028.
Pilots at a glance
For the pilots, selected youth care providers are collaborating. They offer additional support to children and parents for whom basic care is insufficient, such as in cases of severe mental health issues, behavioral problems, or complex divorces.
In two pilots, young people with psychological complaints receive support from a therapist at school, in their familiar environment. This means they do not have to wait for a referral and can maintain their daily lives as normally as possible. These pilots are taking place in Groningen and Midden-Groningen.
The third pilot makes additional support more accessible in the local neighborhood. In the Groningen district of Vinkhuizen, behavioral experts provide short-term support to young people and families.
Young people have their say
Young people are actively involved in the pilots. They provide feedback on whether the approach meets their needs. Two young people explain their involvement: “I’ve experienced youth care from all angles: the good way and the bad way. I think I can make a really valuable contribution now” and “I’m 23 now, and I want to use my experience to help improve the system from the inside.”
Collaboration
Good collaboration is essential to create a cohesive offering of additional youth care. By working together, young people and parents can receive appropriate help more quickly and avoid having to repeat their story multiple times.
For the pilots, various youth care providers are collaborating within Coöperatie Dichtbij, along with partners such as Barkema and De Haan, CM Zorg, Community Support, Cosis, Horizon Begeleiding, Jonx (Lentis), KOEN, Leger des Heils, Molendrift, Team050, and VNN. There is also close collaboration with schools, general practitioners, and local teams.
The pilots build on previous agreements and represent the next step toward joint regional youth care.