On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, another event on the Full-Day Support Act (GaFöG) will take place from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. in the Göttenbach Auditorium. The Idar-Oberstein City Youth Welfare Office invites all youth welfare providers, associations, cooperation partners, and other stakeholders involved in “programs for elementary school children” to attend. Anyone interested in getting involved in this field in the future is also welcome to attend. In addition to brief expert presentations on the current status of the GaFöG in Idar-Oberstein, there will be ample opportunity for discussion and networking.
The legal entitlement to full-day care took effect in August 2026 and is being expanded in phases. After the upcoming fall break, on October 20, the first practical experiences from the various providers and partners regarding the implementation of this legal entitlement during the school break will already be available. These findings will be reviewed and evaluated together at the event. The discussion will focus on which programs have proven successful, where challenges have arisen, and what feedback has been received from children, parents, clubs, and other stakeholders. Organizational issues, such as registration or care hours, may also be addressed.
Sabrina Hund and Marian Müller from the Institute for Social Pedagogical Research in Mainz (ism gGmbH) are guiding the process, supporting the city of Idar-Oberstein in developing the concept. At the event, they also want to look ahead: How can existing programs be further expanded, and where are there still gaps in programming? What needs are emerging? What new partnerships are possible? And how can a diverse and reliable program of holiday activities be established in the long term for all elementary school children in Idar-Oberstein during every school break?
Even those who have not yet participated in the city’s vacation program, have not received an invitation to the exchange events, or are only now learning about the topic are expressly invited and warmly welcome. Perhaps there are clubs, organizations, or dedicated providers in Idar-Oberstein whose programs are not yet widely known and who might be interested in collaborating within the framework of the GaFöG. The Idar-Oberstein City Youth Welfare Office would like to build a long-term network together with existing and new partners. The goal is to continuously develop vacation programs for elementary school children and, in the future, to create as diverse a range of programs as possible for the Easter, fall, and winter breaks.
- To help us plan effectively, please let Sophie Oberländer know if you plan to attend by Monday, October 12, 2026, by emailing her at sophie.oberlaender@idar-oberstein.de.