Socialist Michèle Bey recognized this Thursday at the plenary meeting of the Moselle departmental council: the community has done a good job in recent years in social assistance for children. The elected representative welcomes the investment of 6.5 M € to come in the modernization of the Departmental Center for Children (CDE) in Metz: “A proof of strong commitment. She also appreciates the creation of a new branch in Thionville, after that of Forbach or the recruitment of host families. Finally, it welcomes the arrangements to deal with the massive influx of unaccompanied foreign minors with the opening of the Vigy assessment center and their gradual semi-autonomous transfer to apartments.
What to rejoice Patrick Weiten? Not completely. Because the elected socialist wants more: “Material investment is important. But what are the buildings and the children, without a sufficient number of supervising staff? The number of full-time equivalents does not make it possible to ensure all the tasks under the best conditions “, estimates Michèle Bey, who describes the particular needs of night watchmen or nurses,” but not only “. It calls for “a need for stability and visibility” for these difficult jobs, with high turnover.
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“Great humility”
Marie-Louise Kuntz, vice-president in charge of social affairs, responded quickly: “The goal is not to put more staff or money into the Childhood Center, but to have less there.” children possible so that those who live there feel good. “Patrick Weiten agrees with this:” We must show great humility on this subject. The idea is to constantly evaluate, to evolve. The president of the Department proclaims it everywhere: when he arrived in business in 2011, the CDE had 470 children. There would now be between 320 and 340.
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A third branch in Sarrebourg
He wants to make this Center an emergency reception where the child stays as short as possible: “Before, the length of stay was four to six years. Today we are at 18 months and I hope that it will go down further. He therefore strives to develop alternative reception options. Hence the relocated branches, with the announcement of a third planned in Sarrebourg. Or the development of host families, social centers or the Serad (Reinforced educational service for home support). And this material investment in the CDE: “The environment also counts for children and their families. But it should not be the Danaïdes barrel that you pour money into to clear your conscience. ”
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