Some children and adolescents are unable to participate in public life on an equal footing due to their disability. Integration assistance supports children and young people with disabilities so that they can lead self-determined lives. This integration assistance is intended for children and adolescents with a mental disability or a risk of developing one.

Integration assistance is divided into 4 groups:

• Medical rehabilitation services
• Services to facilitate participation in working life
• Services for participation in education, and
• Services for social participation

Integration assistance may take the following forms:

• on an outpatient basis, outside of inpatient facilities—for example, school support,
• in daycare centers for children or other semi-residential facilities,
• in facilities providing round-the-clock care as well as other forms of housing,
• placement in full-time foster care (for eligible individuals; pursuant to Section 35a(2)(3) of Book VIII of the Social Code).

A mental disability can include, for example, an anxiety disorder, depression, psychosis, autism, ADHD, or an eating disorder.

In addition to mental disabilities, there are also physical and intellectual disabilities. Integration assistance may also be available for these. Other agencies may be responsible for this. Check with your local youth welfare office to find out which agency is responsible for you.

This assistance is for children and adolescents.
The goal is for children to be able to participate fully in society.
This support is called integration assistance.

Children and adolescents may have a mental disability.
This means:
They have problems with their mental health.
Or they have problems with their emotions.

Sometimes, a mental disability is also a risk.
This means:
They may develop a mental disability later on.
Even then, they can still receive this help.

The Youth Welfare Office helps these children and adolescents.

There are 4 types of assistance:

• Medical rehabilitation is a form of support for people who are sick.
  These people have had an illness or an accident.
  They need help to get well again.
  Specialists provide assistance with medical rehabilitation.
• Participation in Working Life
• Education
• Social participation

And there are various housing options.
And there is care.

And there is a new law.
The law is called the Children and Youth Empowerment Act.
The law has been in effect since January 1, 2024.
The law applies to young people with and without disabilities.

The law states:
There will be “procedural guides.”
Procedural guides are experts.

These people help young people with various matters.
For example:

• with social services
• with applications to government agencies

The procedural guides also advise youth welfare offices.