The plan aims to integrate and interconnect services provided through a range of systems, and make them more accessible and prevention oriented. This will aid in the assembly of an integrated, comprehensive and highly interwoven service network geared towards the control and elimination of risk factors that underlie social decay.

In her inaugural address, President Tsai Ing-wen vowed to strengthen Taiwan’s social safety net, so that future generations would enjoy a secure environment free from the threat of violence. Premier Lai noted that assisting individuals and families in need can hasten their escape from poverty and such dangers as domestic violence, child abuse and drugs.

The MOHW was instructed by the premier to move quickly to set up a platform to steer and coordinate central government policy, bring in agencies including the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labor and Ministry of Justice, initiate outreach and guidance work, and devote maximum resources to assisting local governments establish necessary mechanisms. All other ministries and agencies were directed to accommodate these efforts fully.

The key to the success of the plan will be execution, emphasized Premier Lai. Central and local agencies must make appropriate use of post-integration mechanisms and networks, and apply a variety of implementation strategies and enterprising approaches in order to adapt to local conditions and effectively weave together a pluralistic, community-based safety network focused on prevention and protection.