The Grafschaft Bentheim district and the municipalities within it are strengthening their cooperation in the area of youth welfare. For the first time, all parties involved have agreed on a common, binding framework that, on the one hand, clearly defines the division of responsibilities between the district—as the local provider of youth welfare services—and the respective cities, municipalities, and joint municipalities, and, on the other hand, establishes the financial requirements and funding options. The corresponding public-law agreements took effect in early August and specifically cover child day care, all-day and vacation care, as well as open child and youth work and youth welfare services. District Administrator Uwe Fietzek is pleased that the agreements provide a reliable foundation for cooperation. He thanks the mayors for their support in this endeavor: “The fact that we were able to get these three agreements off the ground together with all cities and municipalities before the end of the current legislative term sends an important signal: The district and the municipalities are committed to their responsibilities and want to work together to provide the best possible conditions for children and young people to grow up in the Grafschaft region. Regardless of which municipality they live in, children, young people, and families should have access to reliable structures and quality services.”
This is what the agreements between the county and the municipalities are about
One of the agreements focuses on the division of responsibilities regarding the care of children in daycare centers and in family day care. The agreement stipulates that the municipalities will, in principle, assume all responsibilities for supporting children in daycare facilities. An exception is family day care, for which the county remains responsible. The municipalities will carry out their responsibilities in a manner that enables the district to fulfill its legal obligation to provide a childcare spot. Among other things, the district remains responsible for covering parental fees and provides subsidies to daycare center operators to cover operating costs. Starting in 2026, these grants will be increased so that the total shortfall incurred for child day care in the district can be covered equally by the municipalities and the district, with each bearing half of the cost, no later than the 2028–29 kindergarten year.
The municipalities in Grafschaft are responsible for full-day care at elementary schools. They carry out all tasks in this area, unless these are handled by the schools themselves. In addition, there is vacation care. Here, too, the municipalities fulfill their responsibilities in a way that enables the county to meet the legal entitlement to care. The county contributes to the costs of all-day and vacation care. These include, for example, personnel and fee costs for care and educational work, as well as material costs.
A third agreement concerns open child and youth work and youth welfare services. It stipulates that municipalities are responsible for local youth work and the support of youth organizations—tasks they had already been performing. However, uniform quality standards now apply in this area across all municipalities. For example, municipalities with more than 5,000 residents must have a suitable youth center. Qualified professional staff must be employed in municipal youth welfare services and youth centers. A minimum staffing standard has also been established: For every 100 residents aged 10 to 25, at least 0.1 full-time equivalent positions must be available. Of this, 60 percent is allocated to open child and youth work, 30 percent to municipal youth services, and 10 percent to administrative tasks. In addition, these professionals must be involved in political decisions regarding youth issues. Municipalities with more than 5,000 residents must establish a youth committee for this purpose. The county provides technical support to the municipalities through the County Youth Services Office. The municipalities are responsible for funding these tasks. However, the county continues to support open child and youth work and municipal youth welfare services in accordance with the guidelines adopted by the County Council. The county also promotes compliance with quality standards through annual grants.